Richard Hutchison, head of science at Johnstone High School, has been asked to stay off work while his conduct at the celebration for school leavers is investigated.

It’s claimed the teacher fell asleep in the bath within a hotel room after a school leavers’ event and shouted and swore at girls.

He has also been accused of being ‘in a state of undress’ by at least one teenager after stripping to his underwear at the event on Saturday.

One pupil tweeted on social media the next day: “Why am I sleeping in the bath with Mr Hutchison?” The message has since been deleted as Renfrewshire Council’s social work department investigate the situation.

Outraged pupils rushed to Mr Hutchison’s defence by launching a petition for the school to drop its probe immediately.

The online petition — headed ‘End Mr Hutchison’s Suspension’ — has already notched up hundreds of signatures.

It reads: “Mr Hutchison is a very talented chemistry teacher who not only should get his suspension revoked but should also receive an apology for the hassle caused.” One pupil wrote: “He is a good teacher and does not deserve this negative impact of having fun.” Another also commented: “Signed, how ridiculous is this. His career has now been completely tarnished. He was a great teacher who had a fantastic rapport with the students. I hope he gets to see all the support he’s got from past and present students and parents.” Renfrewshire Council confirmed Mr Hutchison’s suspension and a spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that a teacher is currently suspended and is the subject of a disciplinary investigation related to allegations concerning conduct after a pupil-organised event.” Hutchison was one of several Johnstone High staff members who volunteered to help at the prom, which was held at Burnhouse Manor Hotel in Beith, about 10 miles from the school.

There are no allegations of criminal behaviour and no complaint has been made to police –— but education officials are probing claims that the teacher was drunk.

Hutchison has a four-and-a-half star rating on feedback website ratemyteachers.com. One ex-pupil referred to him as the “ultimate legend”, while another wrote: “Super teacher, down to earth and understanding.” This is the second time this year that a Renfrewshire teacher has been suspended from their position.

In March, Mansoor Mahmood, a religious education teacher at Gryffe High School, was reported to education chiefs after a parent raised concerns with police.

Youngsters in fourth year were said to have been stunned after he showed them footage of a BBC video which displayed soldiers’ heads on spikes.

But a petition was again set up by pupils in support of the Muslim teacher who started working at the school in August last year.

Mr Mahmood has since resigned from his post and no further action has been taken.

A Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said: “A probationary teacher who was suspended following an incident where a fourth year class was shown inappropriate material has resigned. The investigation is now closed.”