Latest news with #JonDowns
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Pictured: Rocker religious studies teacher, 38, who was banned from the classroom after swigging cans of cider and reeking of alcohol at school
A banned teacher who reeked of alcohol and walked into a door after drinking cans of cider in his classroom has been pictured for the first time. Jon Downs, 38, who also is a member of a band called Rivers of Rome, has been barred from the classroom indefinitely. The decision came after he confessed to consuming alcohol at Westhoughton High School in Bolton, Greater Manchester. MailOnline has seen a series of posts over the years from the school thanking the religious studies teacher for his efforts in raising funds for various charitable causes. Before a panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency on April 25, Mr Downs admitted unacceptable professional conduct and provided a statement of agreed facts. In a written statement, a school worker told the panel she 'could smell alcohol' coming from Mr Downs on July 3, 2023. The employee, referred to as Individual B, said after entering his classroom she 'discreetly removed his wastepaper bin to review the contents and saw three cider cans at the bottom'. The witness added that Mr 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'. She added that the following day another member of staff came to her with a school-branded plastic bottle and was concerned it contained alcohol. She said the water bottle had been found in Mr Downs' classroom at the far edge of his desk and on review had contained 'around 3cm of cider at the bottom'. The employee noted that Mr Downs' tone was different on July 3, 2023, adding that he was not speaking in his usual manner and had 'walked into the main building door'. Another school employee told the panel that Mr Downs had 'questioned the way to her office despite having been there on multiple occasions'. The worker, referred to as Individual A, added said the religious studies teacher 'appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and at one point he walked into a door'. Individual A added that the door was the 'main school reception door used regularly by staff'. The teaching panel considered that Mr 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'. It noted there was 'some insight and remorse on the part of Mr Downs' and that the teacher had acknowledged his wrongdoing. On behalf of the Education Secretary, Teaching Regulation Agency 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 to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession. 'These elements are serious nature of the misconduct found and the need for Mr Downs to have the necessary time to develop full insight into his behaviour and in doing so demonstrate that he does not pose a risk to the well-being of pupils in the future. 'I consider therefore that a two-year review period is required to satisfy the maintenance of public confidence in the profession.' Jon Downs refused to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
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". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Teaching Regulation Agency
BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Bolton teacher who drank cider in classroom banned by regulator
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 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". 'Cans in the bin' In a written statement, a worker at the school said she "could smell alcohol" coming from Downs on 3 July 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 said it had been found in Downs' classroom, at the far edge of his review, she said it contained "around 3cm of cider at the bottom". 'Maintaining public confidence' 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". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Teacher who swigged cans of cider in his classroom and walked into a door while reeking of alcohol is banned
A teacher who walked into a door after drinking cans of cider in his classroom has been banned from teaching. Jon Downs, 36, was prohibited from teaching indefinitely with a review period of two years after he admitted consuming alcohol at Westhoughton High School in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Before a panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency on April 25, Mr Downs admitted unacceptable professional conduct and provided a statement of agreed facts. A school worker said in a written statement to the panel that she 'could smell alcohol' coming from Mr Downs on July 3, 2023. The employee, referred to as Individual B, said after entering his classroom she 'discreetly removed his wastepaper bin to review the contents and saw three cider cans at the bottom'. The witness added that Mr 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'. She added that the following day another member of staff came to her with a school-branded plastic bottle and was concerned it contained alcohol. She said the water bottle had been found in Mr Downs' classroom at the far edge of his desk and on review had contained 'around 3cm of cider at the bottom'. The employee noted that Mr Downs' tone was different on July 3, 2023, adding that he was not speaking in his usual manner and had 'walked into the main building door'. Another school employee told the panel that Mr Downs had 'questioned the way to her office despite having been there on multiple occasions'. The worker, referred to as Individual A, added that Mr Downs 'appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and at one point he walked into a door', adding that the door was the 'main school reception door used regularly by staff'. The teaching panel considered that Mr 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'. It noted there was 'some insight and remorse on the part of Mr Downs' and that the teacher had acknowledged his wrongdoing. On behalf of the Education Secretary, Teaching Regulation Agency 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 to achieve the aim of maintaining public confidence in the profession. 'These elements are serious nature of the misconduct found and the need for Mr Downs to have the 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. 'I consider therefore that a two-year review period is required to satisfy the maintenance of public confidence in the profession.'
The Independent
14-05-2025
- The Independent
Teacher banned from the classroom after drinking cider in school and walking into door
A teacher who walked into a door after drinking cans of cider in his classroom has been banned from teaching. Jon Downs, 36, a religious studies teacher at Westhoughton High School in Bolton, was prohibited from teaching after he admitted to a professional conduct panel that he had consumed alcohol on school premises. A witness giving evidence to the disciplinary panel for the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) reported that Mr Downs' behaviour was 'quite out of character' on 3 July 2023. The panel heard 'there had been a smell of alcohol [from Mr Downs] whilst walking across the school yard'. One employee, referred to as Individual A, said that Mr Downs 'questioned the way to her office, despite having been there on multiple occasions'. Another witness claimed Mr Downs then walked straight into the main building door, a 'door he frequently used'. She stated that his behaviour did not appear normal, and as they sat in an office, she could 'smell alcohol coming from him'. The member of staff said she left the room briefly and returned to Mr Downs' classroom where she 'discreetly' searched his wastepaper bin, finding three empty cider cans. She returned to confront the teacher, who allegedly admitted to finishing the cans of cider in his classroom when no students were there. The next day, another staff member found a school-branded plastic bottle with 3cm of cider left at the bottom on the far side Mr Downs' desk. Reviewing photos of the cider cans and Mr Downs' admissions to having consumed alcohol on school premises with pupils in his care, the teaching panel was satisfied that Mr Downs' actions put pupils at risk of potential harm. Marc Cavey, chief executive of the Teaching Regulation Agency, said: 'The panel noted that there was some insight and remorse on the part of Mr Downs and did note that Mr Downs acknowledged his wrongdoing. 'In my judgement, the lack of evidence that Mr Downs has developed full insight into his behaviour means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils.' The panel found Mr Downs guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and he was barred from teaching indefinitely. He may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside in two years' time, the teaching regulatory panel added.
