Teacher banned after being found drunk in school

A TEACHER has been banned from being in a classroom after he was found with vodka in his water bottle and being drunk in school.

Robert James Morris, 41, who worked as a supply teacher through an agency called Simply Education Limited, filled up his water bottle with hard spirits and drank in school.

He also tried brushing his teeth and using mouthwash to “conceal his alcohol use”.

A misconduct hearing, published this week, heard Mr Morris had been thrown out of two different schools, which have not been named by the professional conduct panel.

The agency, which supplies teachers to Bristol, South Glos and North Somerset, had told him after the first occasion he was not to return to work if he “felt unfit”.

But he was sent to a different school a few months later, where concerned staff members said he was “unsteady on his feet”.

Mr Morris was employed by Simply Education for about two years between October 2015 and October 2017.

A toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and caffeine drinks were found in his classroom, the panel heard, and he was “removed” from the school premises.

When confronted, he denied he was under the influence of alcohol.

The panel said his actions “compromised the safety of students”, and that a prohibition order was “necessary”. He may apply for the order to be set aside in two years time, but will be struck off indefinitely if he does not.

Simply Education has not responded to requests for a comment.