Teacher at Westhoughton High School drank cider on job

A teacher has been banned from the profession after drinking cider while working at a Westhoughton secondary school.

A professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), found that Jon Downs, who was a teacher at Westhoughton High School, Bolton Road, put pupils at risk of harm due to his actions around July 2023.

A report from the TRA says somebody just named as Individual A reported that they were told by Individual B that a member of staff felt Mr Downs’ behaviour on the day of the incident was “quite out of character”.

The panel considered the written statement of Individual A and Individual B, although noted that this was hearsay evidence and considered the legal advice as to what weight to attach to it accordingly.

The report reads that according to individual A, Mr Downs questioned the way to somebody’s office, despite having been there on multiple occasions, and also walked into the main school reception door.

“Individual B stated that Mr Downs admitted that he had 3 cans of cider in his classroom when no students were there, and he put the cans in the bin,” The TRA’s report adds.

“She stated that this corroborated what she had found in Mr Downs’ bin. Individual B stated that the following day a member of staff came to her with a school-branded plastic bottle and was concerned that it contained alcohol.

“She stated that the bottle had been found in Mr Downs’ classroom at the far edge of his desk. Individual B stated that on review of the bottle, she noted that there was around 3cm of cider at the bottom.”

The panel decided after reviewing the evidence that the allegations of Mr Downs bringing alcohol onto school premises and consuming it were proven.

The ruling stated: “In light of the panel’s findings against Mr Downs which involved bringing alcohol onto school premises; consuming alcohol on school premises and/or during School hours and putting pupils at risk of harm, there was a strong public interest consideration in the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils. Similarly, the panel considered that public confidence in the profession could be seriously weakened if conduct such as that found against Mr Downs was not treated with the utmost seriousness when regulating the conduct of the profession.”

He may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until 02 May 2027, two years from the date of this order at the earliest.

Headteacher, Mr Neil Coe, said: “We welcome the decision by the Teaching Regulation Agency regarding a former teacher at Westhoughton High School.

“Following an incident in 2023, we took swift action using our own robust internal procedures.

“The teacher was suspended immediately, and we instigated a formal disciplinary process which would likely have resulted in dismissal had the individual not resigned beforehand.

“Parents can be assured that all teachers at Westhoughton High School are committed to providing a professional and safe learning environment for our students.”

Mr Downs is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children’s home in England.

He may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until May 2, 2027, two years from the date of this order at the earliest.

Mr Downs has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days from the date he is given notice of this order.