Primary school teacher caught sipping ‘Brewdog Punk IPA’ during classes

A teacher has been banned indefinitely from teaching after allegedly using mints in a bid to mask his drinking habit while taking lessons.

Steven Ward was caught on two consecutive days drinking beer while taking classes at Southwark Primary School in south London.

He was also reported to have turned up to a morning meeting smelling of alcohol.

Mr Ward, now 41, who previously taught in a school in Nottingham, was allegedly seen taking mints in an apparent attempt to hide any evidence he had been drinking on the job.

A witness reported the teacher after seeing him take a ‘bright blue can’ out of his bag on November 9, 2023, before drinking for the whole afternoon, making sure to have a mint after each sip.

Another person who saw the teacher said he took a drink every 15 minutes, after which he would have a mint from what looked like a ‘tin of Smints’.

Both witnesses reported how the teacher concealed his drinking from the can, turning away from pupils each time he took a gulp.

A teacher misconduct panel found, on a balance of probabilities, that Mr Ward had likely been drinking from a can of Brewdog Punk IPA while giving classes.

In his own oral evidence, Mr Ward denied drinking alcohol during lessons but admitted his behaviour while having a drink was ‘furtive’.

Mr Ward was also alleged to have been stinking of alcohol when he arrived for an 8.30am meeting on November 13.

A colleague reported the smell was strong enough ‘to notice it instantly when walking into a large two-person office’.

Another colleague said that Mr Ward had later conceded he had been drinking the previous evening but insisted he had stayed dry that morning.

Denying all the allegations, Mr Ward insisted he had been the victim of a ‘witch-hunt’.

Evidence also showed that the teacher had previously been handed a suspended sentence for drink-driving without a license.

He was banned from driving for three years and was also required to complete 40 hours of unpaid work, as well as a rehabilitation programme including abstaining from alcohol.

The panel concluded that the teacher had more than likely been under the influence of alcohol during school hours and that his conduct ‘fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession’.

It added that his behaviour was not out of character and that he had shown no remorse for his actions.

Explaining his decision to ban Mr Ward from teaching, David Oatley said: ‘In my judgement, the lack of insight and remorse means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour, and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils.

‘I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision.’

Mr Ward has been banned indefinitely from the profession and must wait at least three years until he can apply for his prohibition to be lifted.

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