A teaching assistant in West London was lawfully dismissed after using a puppet to tickle several pupils and making inappropriate comments during a physical education lesson, a tribunal has ruled. Peter La Bouchardiere, who worked as a special needs assistant at Edward Pauling Primary School in Feltham for a decade, was dismissed following complaints from students and a safeguarding investigation.

The case arose after one of five girls aged 10 and 11 reported feeling uncomfortable when La Bouchardiere tickled them on the waist using a green crocodile puppet. During the same lesson, he responded to a child singing a song referencing squirrels in her pants by asking, “Would you like some nuts in your pants?” before quickly correcting himself. School officials viewed these actions as inappropriate and a breach of safeguarding policies.

La Bouchardiere denied any wrongdoing, stating that his comments had been misunderstood and that he only became aware that tickling was problematic after being informed by authorities. Despite his defense, a tribunal in Reading dismissed his claim of unfair dismissal, concluding that his conduct warranted termination due to safeguarding concerns.

The tribunal’s ruling emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe and professional environment in schools, particularly when working with vulnerable children. The case highlights the fine line staff must navigate between informal interaction and behavior that may be perceived as inappropriate or discomforting by pupils.