A maths teacher has been banned from the classroom for two years after assaulting two police officers and biting a bouncer during a drunken incident at Chester Races. Declan Sealy, 45, consumed ten pints of alcohol before the altercation on 1 July 2023, which led to his conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating of an emergency worker, and being drunk and disorderly.
The Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA) panel heard that Sealy bit a bouncer on the thumb for 20 seconds, only stopping when police used CS gas on him. The panel described the bite as a “significant violent act” and concluded that his actions constituted professional misconduct. Sealy, who taught at Dixons Brooklands Academy in Wythenshawe, Manchester, was sentenced in January 2024 to a suspended prison term of 30 weeks, along with rehabilitation, unpaid work, and compensation.
Despite previously holding an “unblemished” record as a teacher and receiving character references describing him as a “wonderful father” and “upstanding member of the community,” the panel ruled that the level of violence was a legitimate concern and could transfer to the classroom. Sealy had two prior convictions from 2003 and 2007 for similar alcohol-related incidents, which he had disclosed to his school.
The panel noted that Sealy was “embarrassed and ashamed” by his actions and had since decided to abstain from alcohol. However, they deemed a two-year teaching ban proportionate, citing his reckless decision to attend the event and consume excessive alcohol. The ban prevents him from teaching in any school, sixth form college, or children’s home in England, with eligibility to appeal in February 2028.
