MORE than 500 people have signed a petition in support of a popular PE teacher who has been suspended from his job at a Bournemouth grammar school.

Jason White was suspended from Bournemouth School earlier this term and disciplinary proceedings were started after an incident.

Now pupils past and present are supporting him and have started an online petition on the website change.org

Started by a pupil, the petition states: “Mr White has been a trusted teacher at Bournemouth School for 10 years and has been a students’ favourite since he began.

“Recently he made a joke about a student that wasn’t received in the way it was intended and due to this one small mistake he has been forced to resign.”

Another pupil, who contacted the Daily Echo, said: “A loved PE teacher at Bournemouth School for boys, Jason White, was forced to resign after he was suspended for an incident involving a student in a classroom that was taken out of context and proportion.

“The students have set up an online petition to get the beloved teacher back. It has received a lot of loving comments about how loved and respected Mr White was as a teacher.”

Comments on the petition include: “Mr White is a legend and deserves to keep his job.

“He took three bullets in the Falklands so he’s had it tough.”

Another describes Mr White as “such a great teacher”.

change.org says the aim is to petition Dr Dorian Lewis, head teacher, and deputy head Jamie Anderson.

Speaking on behalf of the school, Dr Lewis said: “There was an incident earlier this term, which resulted in an investigation and the consequent instigation of our disciplinary proceedings.

“Those proceedings have not yet concluded, and it would be, therefore, inappropriate for the school to comment further at this time.”