14-05-2025
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.'
