A troubled primary school teacher was struck off yesterday after admitting serious incompetence in the first case of its kind in Scotland. Susan Barnard was banned from teaching in Scottish schools by the General Teaching Council of Scotland.

A troubled primary school teacher was struck off yesterday after admitting serious incompetence in the first case of its kind in Scotland.

Susan Barnard was banned from teaching in Scottish schools by the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS) in a landmark move following a change in the law granting the body new dismissal powers in cases of incompetency.

The 55-year-old was branded a "danger to pupils, staff and herself" during the hearing in which the GTCS heard she had completely alienated colleagues, children and their parents while working at three schools in Perthshire between 2004 and 2006.

A litany of bizarre antics included causing "mayhem" by dancing around classroom tables, making insulting comments about youngsters with special needs, leaving pupils confused and crying, and failing to address "horseplay" in class which, it was said, led to one girl breaking her wrist.

Her lesson planning was confused and she often attempted to teach either patronisingly simple lessons or inappropriately complex subjects such as the Spanish Inquisition.

Mrs Barnard, who lives in Perthshire and had previously admitted incompetence, yesterday apologised for having been "difficult" to work with.

But she claimed that her unusual conduct was the result of a temporary "dark period" when she was plagued by anxiety linked to a car crash nearly 30 years ago which killed her then boyfriend and caused her severe facial injuries.

She also said she had not received adequate support to deal with a violent pupil who attacked her and said it was her "heartfelt wish" to be allowed to keep teaching.

Announcing the historic ruling in Edinburgh yesterday the GTCS disciplinary sub-committee convener, James Thewliss, said that after considering their only other option - of letting her stay on the register - members voted unanimously to strike her off.

During the hearing, sub-committee member Tom Kirk voiced some of the most serious concerns which led to that decision.

He said: "You were a danger to the children, a danger to the staff and a danger to yourself, and in all three aspects you were not a difficult colleague, you were a dangerous colleague."

The sub-committee had heard lengthy evidence read out by GTCS lawyer Robbie Burnett highlighting numerous attempts by Perth and Kinross Council and head teachers at Coupar Angus, Comrie and Arngask primary schools to help Mrs Barnard bring her performance up to standard.

But after being moved from school to school she was eventually dismissed after achieving only "marginal" improvement and continuing to disparage staff and upset and bewilder pupils, sparking severe disruption among previously well-behaved children.

Defending her teaching methods yesterday, Mrs Barnard said: "I have a style of interaction with children which does not include talking to them with effusive praise. I don't call them darling, or honey, or babe, or anything like that. I make the learning intention clear."

Mrs Barnard will be eligible to apply to rejoin the register in a year's time, but it appeared unlikely yesterday that any such request would be granted.

Leaving the hearing, Mrs Barnard said she was "disappointed" but would not say what action, if any, she planned to take.

Her lawyer, Andrew Gibb, had told the GTCS that the 1980 crash had had a major impact on the shamed teacher, whose sister appeared as a witness yesterday, giving evidence which the sub-committee agreed to hear in private.