A WOLLASTON teacher hailed a hero after helping to save a pupil from a teenaged knife attacker has been banned from teaching after he was found to have recorded video footage of a child's bottom.

David Stus, a former teacher at Ridgewood High School, was hauled before the professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency in December over allegations he'd taken video footage of a child while she was bending over and that the footage focussed on her behind and was recorded without her knowledge and consent.

The panel was told it was not disputed that there was footage of the child recorded on Mr Stus's phone and he accepted he must have filmed it but it was suggested this was accidental.

He was also alleged to have edited the footage, shot when the 16-year-old visited his home on bonfire night 2018 to collect a barbecue, although that allegation was not proved.

It was also alleged that his conduct was of a sexual nature or sexually motivated and the panel concluded it was "satisfied that it is more likely than not that Mr Stus's actions were sexually motivated" and that the filming was of a sexual nature.

The incident was investigated by police, the panel was told, but no further action was taken.

It was accepted that 41-year-old design and technology Mr Stus had a previously good history and the incident appeared out of character and the panel did take into account how he'd "acted heroically following a knife attack and received a police commendation" after he helped to save schoolgirl Chloe West when she was stabbed multiple times by Dudley teen stalker Samuel Gayzer-Tomlinson outside the school gates in 2011.

But it concluded Mr Stus's conduct amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession, breaching the teachers' standards, and that he was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The decision, made in December, means Mr Stus is banned from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

A report, published on January 10, adds that "in view of the seriousness of allegations found proved against him" he will not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.

Rae Cope, headteacher at Ridgewood, said: “At Ridgewood High School, we take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. Our school is a safe place for students. We expect very high standards of behaviour from our staff, both inside and outside school, because of the trust placed in them by students and parents. No student in the school community was involved, however we took swift action to safeguard the child when we were made aware of the incident.

"The individual involved no longer works at our school and we support the decision of the Teachers Regulations Agency to uphold standards within the profession.

"We are confident that our safeguarding procedures continue to be robust and Ridgewood High School offers a safe and supportive learning environment.”

Mr Stus was given 28 days to appeal against the decision.