Primary School Teacher Banned Indefinitely for Classroom Beer Drinking
A primary school teacher from Nottingham has been handed an indefinite prohibition from teaching after a professional conduct panel found he consumed alcohol in his classroom on multiple occasions and was under the influence during school hours.
Details of the Classroom Incident
The case centres on Steven Ward, who taught at Southwark Primary School in Nottingham. According to the panel's findings, Mr Ward was observed drinking from a blue can that resembled Brewdog's Punk IPA beer during school hours in November 2023. Witnesses reported seeing him take sips from the can approximately every five to fifteen minutes, followed immediately by consuming a mint from what appeared to be a tin of Smints.
The witnesses described unusual behaviour, noting that teachers would typically drink from coffee cups or water bottles rather than concealed cans. They also reported that Mr Ward attempted to hide the drink in his bag between sips, further raising suspicions about the nature of the beverage.
Additional Evidence and Denials
On a separate occasion, another witness reported detecting a strong smell of alcohol upon entering a room where Mr Ward was present. The odour was described as immediately noticeable in a large two-person office space, suggesting significant alcohol consumption.
Despite this evidence, Mr Ward denied all allegations against him. While acknowledging he might have placed a can on his desk, he insisted it could not have contained alcohol, stating such behaviour was not something [he] would ever do. He further claimed to be the victim of what he described as a witch hunt against him, though the panel found no evidence to support this assertion.
Panel Findings and Consequences
The professional conduct panel determined that Mr Ward's actions constituted serious misconduct. Their report stated: Mr Ward is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.
The panel highlighted several concerning factors in their decision:
- Multiple incidents of alcohol consumption during school hours
- Attempts to conceal the drinking behaviour
- A lack of insight into the unprofessional nature of his actions
- No demonstration of remorse for previous misconduct
- Failure to understand the impact of his behaviour on others
These factors led the panel to conclude there was a risk of further misconduct if Mr Ward were allowed to continue teaching.
Background and Future Options
Mr Ward had been employed at Southwark Primary School since September 2014, giving him nearly a decade of service before these incidents came to light. The prohibition order does allow for a potential review, with Mr Ward eligible to apply for the order to be set aside on 22 January 2029, which marks three years from the date of the original decision.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the professional standards expected within educational settings and the serious consequences that can follow breaches of conduct, particularly when they involve substances like alcohol during school hours.
