A supply teacher has been banned indefinitely from teaching after making racist remarks and threatening pupils on his first day at a school in Cheshire.
Anton Van Der Watt, 66, called two students of Chinese origin 'ching' and 'chong' and told a pupil of African descent that "back when he was younger he wouldn't be allowed in his classroom." He also threatened other students, including one with whom he said, "Do you want to go home on crutches? I will break your leg." He further told the class, "shut up" and that he would "rip their vocal chords out and feed them to the lions."
Van Der Watt was sent home early on April 24 after only three lessons at Brine Leas School in Nantwich following complaints from students. The tribunal heard that pupils provided handwritten accounts detailing allegations of racism and physical violence.
One pupil reported that Van Der Watt "put his fist" on his neck and "dug me into the chair," leaving a red mark. When questioned, Van Der Watt acknowledged the incident occurred but was "unaware that it left a red mark on the student's neck." He claimed he was demonstrating how to control aggressive boys in a "light-hearted manner."
Other accusations included Van Der Watt punching a student on the shoulder and pressing his fists into desks. He also kept a "register of who needed to be hit."
Van Der Watt had worked as a supply teacher for Simply Education between January 2019 and April 24, 2025. He was reported to Cheshire Police, but no action was taken. He later emailed his agency apologizing for his behavior, stating he felt he let himself and the profession down.
A professional tribunal found his conduct to be "unacceptable professional conduct" and that he failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. Panel chair Sue Davies stated that "public confidence in the profession could be seriously weakened if conduct such as that found against Mr Van Der Watt were not treated with the utmost seriousness."
Van Der Watt cannot apply to teach again until October 2029.