A secondary school teacher who drank gin from a water bottle in her classroom and later vomited in a staff bathroom has been banned from teaching indefinitely. Annika Kiran Kapur was suspended and subsequently sacked from Djanogly City Academy in Nottingham in early 2025 after the incident.
A professional conduct panel heard that Ms Kapur brought a water bottle containing gin and lemon to school in January 2025. She claimed the bottle had been in her bag from her birthday weekend and that she only realised it contained alcohol after taking a sip. She said she drank about a third of the bottle to avoid questions from pupils.
Witnesses reported that Ms Kapur slurred her words, acted in an exaggerated manner, and was unsteady on her feet. One colleague said that while intoxicated, Ms Kapur told her, “this class terrifies me.” A pupil had his head on the desk and Ms Kapur was seen to gently pull him up by his hair, which she denied.
After being asked to leave the classroom, Ms Kapur began retching and vomited in the staff toilet. Some pupils asked if she was drunk. Ms Kapur admitted making a “grievous error” and “horrible mistake” and pleaded guilty to unacceptable professional conduct.
The Teaching Regulation Agency imposed an indefinite prohibition order, meaning Ms Kapur is banned from teaching in any school, sixth form college, or children’s home in England. She may apply for the order to be set aside in April 2028.
