Head Teacher Had 'Basil Fawlty-Style Meltdown' In Front Of School Assembly Pupils

Head Teacher Had 'Basil Fawlty-Style Meltdown' In Front Of School Assembly Pupils

A head teacher had a Basil Fawlty-style 'meltdown' during a school assembly in front of bemused pupils.

Malcolm Hayes is said to have 'snapped' before smashing and punching the keyboard of an electric organ he had intended to play for the children.

The devout Christian then picked up the instrument and stormed outside, demanding that pupils follow him.

Mr Hayes continued to attack the organ in the car park, before getting in his car and repeatedly driving over it.

The 49-year-old made headlines in 2001 when he left his wife of 10 years for their foster daughter, Rhoxan Kenward, then 16.

Despite that furore Mr Hayes had been allowed to stay at Horsmonden Primary School, near Paddock Wood, Kent.

The mother of one pupil said: "I imagined him looking like Basil Fawlty when he thrashed his car with a tree branch."

Another parent said: "It sounds like he's had a complete breakdown - it's like he's gone mad.

"When he was revving his car and crushing the organ, a few children were quite scared."

An internal investigation was launched last week after parents complained and officials confirmed last night the teacher is now on 'medical leave'.

Mr Hayes, the county's Teacher of the Year in 2000, was investigated by police for allegedly having under-age sex with Rhoxan but was cleared of any offence.

The star of the hit comedy series Fawlty Towers, played by John Cleese, was famous for his irrational outbursts.

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