Trafford’s own Jack Black, who helps runs a college music department dubbed ‘The School of Rock’, has hit his first duff note – after being accused of grabbing a student in a headlock.
Mark Acton, 41, who teaches rock music and was dubbed a Jack Black-like character by one pupil, was suspended on full pay after claims he was involved in a scuffle with a 17-year-old boy while working on campus.
The unnamed lad complained of bruising to his neck after he was held in the headlock following an argument.
His family lodged a formal complaint with senior officials at the Trafford College, in Manchester which has 13,000 students.
Mr Acton – who has worked at the college for more than 12 years and who also fronts his own rock group Cushion – was told not to set foot on college grounds while an investigation took place into the claims.
He was later subjected to a disciplinary hearing but was cleared of serious wrongdoing and has been allowed back to work.
The tutor who plays guitar has been regularly compared to bogus teacher Dewey Finn – the flamboyant former band leader played by Jack Black in the 2004 Hollywood musical film.
Grammar school educate Mr Acton studied Popular Music and Recording at Salford University before joining the staff at the college where famous former students include Take That singer Jason Orange and Ian Brown of The Stone Roses.
The £1.5million Manchester Music Base where he teaches, specialises in performing and producing popular music and has professional recording studios, rehearsal spaces and editing suites
Today Trafford College confirmed the hearing was dealt with on Wednesday – and that ‘appropriate action’ had been taken. Mr Acton who lives in Northwich, Cheshire was unavailable for comment.
A spokeswoman said: “Mark Acton is no longer suspended. Appropriate action has been taken in line with the college’s disciplinary procedure.
“Trafford College has a strict safeguarding procedure and the safety and welfare of our students is of the utmost importance.”
The Music Base was opened in 2007 by Peter Hook, the former New Order bass player; and Mani, bassist with Primal Scream and previously the Stone Roses.
Past students have won prizes the Access to Music awards. The Trafford College Band performed at Music Live at Birmingham NEC in 2010 and the ATM Awards ceremony in London, and they have had interest from a number of record companies.
One student said: “Mark is a great guy and we’re all shocked that this has happened to him. We don’t know exactly what happened but it all sounds like a storm in a teacup.
”He’s just like the Jack Black character in the movie except in Mr Acton’s case he is a genuine teacher and lecturer.
”He has his own band but will promote what the students are doing and he really relates to them in lectures. From what we believe this was all a big misunderstanding.”
Image courtesy of fatbobmoonbeam via YouTube, with thanks
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