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Parents pull children out of school after teacher passes round cigarette to class
Last updated at 10:22am on 24.04.08Parents who enrolled their children at a Rudolf Steiner school knew it would provide an alternative to traditional education.
But when a teacher lit a cigarette in a classroom and allowed some of the children to take a puff, it was a little too alternative for some.
Now three families have withdrawn their children from the £7,000-a-year school in protest after the science teacher was allowed to keep his job.
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Controversy: The Steiner school has stood by the teacher, admitting he made an error in judgement by smoking in front of pupils
The incident unfolded at the 200-pupil Canterbury Steiner School in Kent as teacher Jim McIntee was attempting to illustrate the effects of smoking of smoking on the lungs during a physiology lesson.
To the astonishment of his 12-year-old pupils, he not only lit up, but then passed the cigarette around.
School bosses found out about Mr McIntee's indiscretion after it became the talk of the playground, with pupils bragging how they were allowed to light up in class.
Parents were horrified when they learned what had happened.
But despite their concerns, the teacher has been allowed to remain at the school, which boasts that it allows pupils "to find out by themselves".
Last night Canterbury solicitor Philip Carberry said he was 'staggered' by what had happened.
He said his son Peter had been one of those to take a drag on the cigarette because he thought that if a teacher suggested smoking, it would be fine.
"Our son tried the cigarette because he thought he had our permission, which he most certainly did not.
"A teacher is the last person you expect to tempt one of your children with a cigarette.
"We felt that because Mr McIntee is still at the school we had no choice but to withdraw our son."
Fellow parent Vicky Towler said her son Michael had also tried the cigarette.
"I was absolutely shocked when I heard what had happened," she said.
"We bought into the Rudolf Steiner system of education and I was saddened that something like this could happen."
Founder: Rudolf Steiner
One of the boys in the class was Mark Carver's 12-year-old son Liam.
Mr Carver and his wife Tracy have withdrawn Liam from the school.
Mrs Carver, 41, said: "You expect your son to try cigarettes at some point but not given to him by a teacher in a classroom.
"He didn't try the cigarette but others did."
All three families have now arranged for their children to be schooled under the guidance of a private tutor.
The school admitted it breached anti-smoking legislation by allowing smoking in a public building, but insisted Mr McIntee would not be sacked.
College chairman Rose Karemi said: "The incident was fully investigated by the school and the teacher in question has been subject to disciplinary actions.
"That is proportionate in the circumstances.
"The teacher is a highly valued and very experienced member of staff who recognises that his actions, while done to positively discourage smoking, were an error of judgment.
"There is widespread support for the teacher among parents and pupils, and he has the full support of colleagues.
"As far as the school is concerned the matter is now closed."
• Steiner schools, based on a system of education created by Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner, are renowned for encouraging creativity and imagination.
One of the best-known aspects of Steiner schooling is the philosophy that children under seven should not be taught to read or write.
Before that they express themselves through painting, modelling and music.
The first school opened in 1919 in Stuttgart.
There are now 958 worldwide, 35 in the UK.
In 2005 a study commissioned by the Department for Education concluded that Steiner schools had much to teach mainstream schools even though "the consequences of successful Steiner education may take many years to unfold in a person's life".
Reader views (6)
It's great of the school to stand by the teacher instead of bending to hysteria.
- Chris, new york, usa
I am lucky enough to have spent most of my school life in the Steiner system. By removing their children from the school these parents are actually doing more harm and causing a much greater disruption to the children's life then had they swallowed their pride and trusted in the teachers decision. Firing such an experienced teacher would no doubt have a ripple effect through the school causing disruption to many more children. The teachers have written it off as an error of judgement and he has apologised for his mistake. What more do you want from him, blood?! To all the teachers in the steiner system I say keep up the good work!
- Ex-Waldorf Student, London
My daughter goes to this school. It is a wonderful, caring school. She is doing well in her exams and I have no regrets sending her there. I do not condone the smoking incident, but the world is not perfect and neither is anyone of us.
I can say that my daughter is happier, healthier and more rounded because of the Steiner School and the curriculum.
- Paul Butler, Kent
The teacher's integrity was in place, and some might argue that this idea of introducing cigarettes to children of a young age will discourage them from taking up the habit later in life. However, no proof of this has been published, and furthermore breaking the anti-smoking legislation in a classroom of all places (as I'm sure Mr McIntee sees in hindsight) is not wise. We are all capable of making mistakes and no one was harmed. I actually went to the school in question and know the teacher involved and know that he is a decent honest man with good intentions.
- Rob, London
Typical, stupid over ambitious parents who "only want the best" for their kids can't even be bothered to find out the implications of sending their kids to a school that teaches through experience rather than lecturing and hectoring. It was an attempt to discourage smoking, not to encourage it. I'd rather my kids got an introduction to smoking from someone who was prepared to explain the implications of it than from some gang of looser kids behind what ever constitutes the bike sheds these days.
- Nu, London
The teacher was right. After my father said when I was ten: "Here are my cigarettes, you will want to try smoking - so do so, but remember that they are habit-forming, unhealthy and expensive", I never smoked again. One's first few cigarettes taste foul, and only the belief that smoking is adult and clever does anyone persist to become addicted.
- Richard, London England
