Teacher sacked for ‘homophobic joke’ at £61k-a-year college discovered useless
John Wright, 54, was found dead in what police described as ‘not suspicious’ circumstances – it comes after allegedly being dismissed for making a remark during a school trip
A teacher who took his own life had been dismissed from his position after making a quip during a school excursion, it has been alleged. John Wright, 54, was discovered dead at a property in Marlborough, Wiltshire on November 3, with police confirming the circumstances were ‘not suspicious’.
An inquest was opened at Swindon and Wiltshire Coroner’s Court on November 7, with a comprehensive hearing scheduled for a future date. Mr Wright had been teaching physics at the prestigious £61,000-per-year Marlborough College for a decade before his termination over the summer due to “inappropriate conduct”, according to reports.
It was supposedly connected to a remark he made during an exchange visit to the school’s partner institution in Malaysia, which included a detour to Singapore, reports the Mirror.
The Daily Mail reported that one of the comments made by Mr Wright that resulted in his dismissal was: “No gum, no gays.” Chewing gum is prohibited in Singapore, whilst homosexuality remains illegal in Malaysia.
A source informed the publication they felt the educator’s remarks were “just him being cheeky and silly”, noting: “He was known for making flippant comments and would often do that in front of pupils and senior teachers.”
Twenty-nine students from the Wiltshire independent school participated in the trip to Marlborough College Malaysia, with an internal probe and disciplinary proceedings believed to have occurred regarding Mr Wright’s remarks following his return, before his dismissal during the summer break.
An appeal lodged by the educator challenging the school’s verdict proved fruitless, according to reports, whilst his relatives are understood to have branded the disciplinary proceedings as “outrageous”.
Following confirmation of Mr Wright’s passing earlier this month, a college representative stated: “The College offers its heartfelt condolences to John Wright’s family on his very sad passing.
“Our thoughts are with them, as well as John’s friends and others in the Marlborough community who will have been affected. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Marlborough College caters for male and female students aged 13 to 18, with boarding costs currently set at £61,809 per year and day pupil charges at £49,449.
Catherine, Princess of Wales was educated at the independent school from 1996 to 2000, where she achieved A-levels in Maths, Art, and English and served as captain of the women’s field hockey squad.
Notable former pupils include comedian Jack Whitehall, alongside Catherine’s siblings, Pippa and James Middleton.
