A DISCIPLINARY panel was told yesterday that the former headteacher of a North-East primary school acted in a “hysterical manner” in front of pupils.

In the second day of the General Teaching Council hearing in Birmingham, former colleagues of Margaret Bainbridge, of Shotley Bridge Infant School, near Consett, County Durham, accused her of “bullying” staff and pupils and responding in a “disproportionate”

manner if she was disobeyed. Ms Bainbridge is accused of unacceptable professional conduct.

In a statement read to the panel, Laura Weaver, who joined the school as a newly-qualified teacher in 2007, said that Ms Bainbridge frequently overreacted when pupils, aged between four and seven, misbehaved. Miss Weaver said: “Margaret screamed at a child who was washing another child’s hair. She behaved in a hysterical manner that was disproportionate to the situation.”

She added that the school had become a more pleasant place to work since Miss Bainbridge was suspended in 2008.

Other members of staff, whose statements were also read to the panel, said that they had considered leaving their jobs while Ms Bainbridge was in charge.

Judith Stoker, a teacher with 25 years’ experience who joined the school in 2002, blamed Ms Bainbridge for her decision to step down as deputy head in 2006.

Miss Stoker said: “During my time working with Margaret, I was made to feel incompetent.

“The treatment I received from Margaret led me to give up my role as deputy head. I would have taken another job if I had been offered one.”

Miss Bainbridge is also accused of failing to properly manage the Private School Fund. In a written statement, Durham County Council financial services auditor Brian Temple said that he “found a great deal of evidence for cash not being banked” by Ms Bainbridge when he visited the school.

In Mr Temple’s statement, it was alleged that more than £2,000 in cash and cheques, taken for food and school trips, was found dotted around the headteacher’s office.

Ms Bainbridge is expected to give evidence today.