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Teacher allegedly called police on students who refused to smile

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ANGLESEY, Wales, March 5 (UPI) -- The head of a Welsh elementary school allegedly called police when she heard students were planning not to smile for a photo, a conduct hearing heard.

The General Teaching Council for Wales heard a list of complaints Tuesday against Ann Hughes, former headmistress of the village elementary school in Anglesey, including allegations she had a police officer come to the school to reprimand students who she heard were planning to refuse to smile for a school photo, the Mirror reported Wednesday.

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The allegations against Hughes also include accusations she failed to investigate bullying complaints, shouted excessively at students, called a student "stupid," ripped up a pupil's exam for spelling his middle name wrong and showed favoritism toward students whose first language was Welsh.

Five of the school's six teachers called in sick at the same time in May 2011 after no action was taken on a vote of no confidence in Hughes. The teachers said there was a climate of "fear" at the school before Hughes was suspended in July 2011 and subsequently dismissed from her position.

The conduct hearing is ongoing.

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