A HEAD teacher sacked from a Winwick primary school for financial irregularities has been permanently banned from teaching.

Graham Martin, aged 59, was found guilty of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ at a Teaching Agency disciplinary panel hearing. The decision was announced on Friday.

The former Winwick CE Primary School head teacher was found to have carried out external work as an Ofsted inspector for 14 years.

Between 1996 and 2010 he was paid around £400 a day, making an estimated total of £250,000.

Mr Martin did not have permission to carry out the extra work and any money made should have been paid to the school.

Instead it was paid into his private bank account.

He was also paid £10,600 by Cheshire East Council for work as a School Improvement Partner between September 2009 and June 2010.

The panel said that his ‘excessive commitment’ to external employment ‘impacted on the quality of provision for pupils at his own school’. Warrington Borough Council dismissed the head teacher of 20 years in July 2011, but he appealed the decision.

Mr Martin told the hearing he was given permission by his school’s former head of governors to receive the money for his OFSTED work.

He added that he was preparing to retire and that his SIP and OFSTED activities would form next stage of his career.

The panel rejected his claims and he was issued with a prohibition order by education secretary Michael Gove.

It means he can no longer work as a teacher in any capacity. He has left his post at Winwick CE Primary School.

Alan Meyrick, Teaching Agency deputy director, said: "Mr Martin was a head teacher who failed to uphold the acceptable standards of behaviour especially in terms of finance and school management.

“The panel made a finding of dishonesty and also found that his actions were deliberate and that he did not act under duress.

"The public should have confidence in the honesty and integrity of teachers. Mr Martin’s behaviour undermined that public confidence and trust.

"Mr Martin’s deliberate actions were a clear breach of trust and dishonest.”