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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.
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.
