Teacher who drank cider in classroom banned

A teacher who walked into a door after drinking cider in his classroom from cans and a school-branded water bottle has been banned from the profession.

Jon Downs admitted consuming alcohol at Westhoughton High School in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and that it was unacceptable professional conduct.

A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel hearing on 25 April considered that Downs had "put pupils at risk of harm by consuming alcohol on the school site and being under the influence whilst having pupils in his care".

He was banned from teaching indefinitely, subject to a review after two years, after the panel noted the 36-year-old had acknowledged wrongdoing and shown "some insight and remorse".

In a written statement, a worker at the school said she "could smell alcohol" coming from Downs on 3 July 2023.

The employee, referred to as Individual B, said she "discreetly removed his wastepaper bin [from his classroom] to review the contents and she saw three cider cans at the bottom".

The witness also said Downs "admitted that he had three cans of cider in his classroom when no students were there, and he put the cans in the bin".

Individual B said another member of staff came to her the following day to raise concerns about alcohol being found in a school-branded plastic bottle.

She said it had been found in Downs' classroom, at the far edge of his desk.

Upon review, she said it contained "around 3cm of cider at the bottom".

Another school employee, Individual A, noted that Downs was not speaking in his usual manner on 3 July 2023, adding that the teacher had "walked into the main building door".

On behalf of the Education Secretary, TRA decision-maker Marc Cavey said: "I have considered whether a two-year review period reflects the seriousness of the findings and is a proportionate period to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession.

"In this case, factors mean that allowing such a review period is sufficient."

He said Downs needed "necessary time to develop full insight into his behaviour and, in doing so, demonstrate that he does not pose a risk to the wellbeing of pupils in the future".

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