AN Iraqi supply teacher sacked for striking two pupils at a Swindon school has lost his appeal for racial discrimination.

Maths teacher Wamid Alshabib, 49, was dismissed from his temporary post at Headlands School in March after it was alleged he had hit a male and female pupil.

A police probe followed but no action was taken due to inconclusive evidence.

Mr Alshabib, of Coventry, had told an industrial tribunal in Bristol that a pupil had taunted him with racial abuse during a confrontation on March 10.

And he claimed management at the school refused to reply to letters he sent regarding the incident citing racial discrimination as the reason for this.

But yesterday the tribunal ruled in favour of the school and threw out the teacher's claims.

Mr Alshabib had insisted he had used reasonable force to restrain one of the pupils who was assaulting him.

Throughout the hearing he had maintained there was a lack of support from staff at the school and he felt he was treated less favourably than a white supply teacher who was suspended for a shorter period following assault allegations.

Former deputy head and child protection officer Irene Hunt said that after two strategy meetings with relevant authorities, it was decided Mr Alshabib should not remain at the school.

She said the other teacher was brought back after the pupils' parents decided not to pursue their children's claims.

Mr Alshabib's case was investigated by police.

The school maintained that Mr Alshabib had received "full and proper support" with a limited timetable.It was also said an LEA maths consultant had helped two days a week.

Mrs Hunt said the teacher had received information on behaviour management and child protection issues, which he disputed.

The school said it had no records of race incidents in letters written by Mr Alshabib and claimed there was no mention of racial abuse in his initial account of events on March 10.

The council's principal education welfare officer, Geoffrey Wood, said proper procedures were followed.

The tribunal heard that under official national guidelines, supply teachers should be dismissed without pay while investigations are on-going.

Tribunal chairman Colin Sara said: "There was nothing in the actions of the respondents to link their decision to terminate his assignment to the school with his ethnic origin.

"Their decision was not tainted by race discrimination."

Last night Coun Garry Perkins, lead member for education, said: "This decision proves the teacher was dismissed on the basis of his competency and not on his ethnic background."