Primary school teacher banned after drinking can of beer in classroom and eating mints after every sip
Teacher claims ‘witch-hunt’ after he was banned for drinking beer in classroom
![Steven Ward denied all allegations [stock image]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/04/29/16/21/music-piano-lesson-school-stock.jpeg)
- A primary school teacher, Steven Ward, has been indefinitely banned from teaching after being found drinking beer in the classroom and under the influence of alcohol during school hours.
- Mr Ward, who taught at Southwark Primary School in Nottingham, was observed consuming alcohol from a can and eating a mint after each sip on multiple occasions in November 2023.
- Witnesses reported seeing him drink from a can resembling Brewdog's Punk IPA and attempting to conceal it, with one noting a strong smell of alcohol in a room he occupied.
- Mr Ward denied all allegations, claiming he was the victim of a 'witch-hunt', but the professional conduct panel found no evidence to support this.
- The panel concluded that Mr Ward's 'lack of insight' and failure to show remorse for his misconduct indicated a risk of further unprofessional behaviour, with the ban reviewable in January 2029.
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