‘Reckless’ teacher banned from classrooms for drinking at school after parents evening

An elementary school principal was banned from class for keeping alcohol in his office and drinking on school premises.

Leanne Grove, the former headteacher of Hazeldene School in Bedford, admitted to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) Panel that she consumed alcohol on the premises before the governor’s meeting and after the parents’ meeting.

According to the TRA report, a teaching assistant found two cans of gin and tonics, one empty and the other unopened, in a bag next to the former principal’s desk in March 2023.

Concerns were reported to the school’s deputy headteacher, deputy governors and the Local Government Designated Officer (LADO).

He was subsequently suspended from his duties at the school and a search of his office was carried out before a formal investigation began which would lead to a report in May 2023. Ms. Grove was then transferred to TRA.

He was charged with storing alcohol in the office without permission, storing or possessing alcohol in school buildings, rooms used by SEND pupils, open containers and unlocked cupboards.

Other charges included bringing alcohol onto the premises when it was not permitted and attending school on a work day where he consumed alcohol.

Ms Grove accepted the truth of the allegations and that her conduct amounted to unacceptable professional conduct that could bring the profession into disrepute.

The board justified Ms Grove’s ban because it decided the public interest outweighed the former teacher’s own interests and described her behavior as “reckless”.

“Ms Grove was an experienced practitioner who inevitably knew that her behavior was inappropriate and wrong,” the report said. “Even though there was no evidence that the students were or were drinking alcohol, their actions posed obvious risks.

“Ms Grove did not herself take steps to reduce this risk. Rather, her behavior was discovered. In that sense, her behavior was reckless.”

The board credited Ms Grove’s candor in describing how her behavior was triggered and how she sought support, but they were not satisfied there was no risk of a repeat.

Ms Grove had served as headteacher at Hazeldene School, a primary school, for three years between January 2020 and March 2023.

He made it clear to the panel that he was moving on career-wise and had no desire to return to teaching.