A primary school teacher who was caught drinking beer during lessons has been banned from teaching indefinitely. Steven Ward, 41, was seen consuming a can of Brewdog Punk IPA while teaching at Southwark Primary School in south London on two consecutive days in November 2023.
Witnesses reported that Ward took a drink every 15 minutes and then ate a mint, apparently to mask the smell of alcohol. He was also said to have turned up to a morning meeting smelling strongly of alcohol. Ward denied drinking alcohol during lessons but admitted his behaviour was 'furtive'.
A teacher misconduct panel found that, on the balance of probabilities, Ward had been drinking alcohol during school hours. The panel concluded his conduct 'fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession' and that he showed no remorse.
Ward claimed he was the victim of a 'witch-hunt'. He had previously received a suspended sentence for drink-driving without a licence. The panel noted a risk of repetition and banned him from teaching for at least three years before he can apply for reinstatement.
