Steven Ward Banned: Teacher Drank in Class at Southwark Primary

Key Points

• Steven Ward, a 41-year-old primary school teacher at Southwark Primary School in Basford, Nottinghamshire, has been banned indefinitely from teaching following incidents of drinking alcohol during school hours.
• The incidents occurred on three separate days in November 2023: 9 November, 10 November, and 13 November.
• Witnesses reported seeing Ward drinking from a bright blue can taken from his bag, followed by taking a mint after each mouthful, on 9 November.
• On that day, Ward displayed “unusual personal behaviour,” described by witnesses as “particularly odd,” indicating he was under the influence of alcohol.
• A second incident involved drinking from a can kept in his bag on 10 November.
• On 13 November, during a morning meeting, a witness reported a “strong smell of alcohol” from Ward.
• Ward denied the allegations, claiming the drink was not alcohol and that his drinking manner appeared “furtive.”
• The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel found him guilty of “unacceptable professional conduct” on the balance of probabilities.
• Ward had prior disciplinary issues, including a suspended sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol and without a licence.
• The TRA determined his actions constituted “misconduct of a serious nature” that fell “significantly short of the standards expected of the profession” and could damage public perception of teachers.
• A prohibition order bars Ward from teaching, with no review possible until 22 January 2029 at the earliest.

Basford, Nottinghamshire (South London News) January 30, 2026 – Steven Ward, a teacher at Southwark Primary School, has been indefinitely banned from the teaching profession after a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel ruled he was under the influence of alcohol during school hours on multiple occasions in November 2023. The 41-year-old denied the allegations, but the panel found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct based on witness testimonies. This decision underscores serious concerns over professional standards in education.​

What Led to the Investigation of Steven Ward?

The case against Steven Ward stemmed from eyewitness accounts during school hours at Southwark Primary School in Basford, Nottinghamshire. As detailed in the official TRA report published on gov.uk, witnesses in Ward’s class observed him on 9 November 2023 taking a “bright blue can out of his bag” and drinking from it “for the duration of the afternoon.” One witness specifically noted that Ward took a mint after each mouthful, a detail the panel highlighted as suspicious behaviour.​

According to the TRA panel’s findings, both witnesses commented on Mr Ward’s behaviour on this day as being “particularly odd.” The report stated that Ward was “repeatedly displaying unusual ‘personal behaviour’ on this day,” which the panel deemed evidence of him being under the influence. This incident set the stage for further scrutiny, as it occurred in the presence of primary school pupils.​

How Did the Incidents Unfold on Subsequent Days?

The allegations did not stop at one day. On 10 November 2023, a second incident was reported where Ward was seen drinking from another can kept in his bag, mirroring the previous day’s actions. The TRA report, accessible via the government website, confirms this pattern of behaviour persisted despite the initial observation.​

By the morning of 13 November 2023, concerns escalated during a school meeting. A witness reported a “strong smell of alcohol” emanating from Ward. Ward reportedly told this witness that he had consumed alcohol the night before but not that morning; however, the panel rejected this explanation and found he was under the influence on the balance of probabilities. These cumulative events formed the core of the case against him.​

What Was Steven Ward’s Defence?

Steven Ward consistently denied that the substance in the can was alcohol. As per the TRA report, he acknowledged that the manner in which he drank from the can could have appeared “furtive,” but he maintained it was not alcoholic. Despite this denial, the panel weighed the witness testimonies and behavioural evidence, ruling against Ward.​

The 41-year-old teacher’s defence did not sway the independent panel, which prioritised the consistency of the accounts provided by multiple observers in a school environment. Ward’s prior disciplinary history also factored into the assessment, though the primary focus remained on the November 2023 incidents.​

What Role Did Ward’s Prior Record Play?

The TRA panel was informed of Ward’s previous disciplinary proceedings and warnings related to a suspended sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol and without a licence. This background was presented as context for his pattern of alcohol-related issues, though the panel emphasised the standalone gravity of the school incidents.​

While not the central allegation, this history reinforced the panel’s view that Ward’s actions in class represented a breach of expected professional standards. The report noted these details without attributing direct causation but as part of the broader character of his conduct.​

What Did the TRA Panel Conclude?

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) deemed Ward’s behaviour “unacceptable professional conduct.” In their official determination, the panel stated his actions “amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.”​

Furthermore, the TRA report explicitly warned that such conduct “would potentially damage the public’s perception of a teacher.” This conclusion was reached after a thorough review of evidence, including witness statements and Ward’s own testimony, on 9 November 2023—the same day as one of the key incidents, though the hearing occurred later.​

Why Was an Indefinite Ban Imposed?

The panel imposed a prohibition order banning Ward indefinitely from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children’s home in England. This order cannot be reviewed until 22 January 2029 at the earliest, providing a minimum five-year period before any appeal.​

The severity reflects the panel’s assessment of the risks posed by Ward’s conduct in a primary school setting, where safeguarding children is paramount. The TRA’s decision aligns with their mandate to protect public confidence in the profession.​

How Has This Case Been Covered Across Media Outlets?

Initial coverage appeared in the BBC News article titled “Teacher seen drinking in class banned indefinitely,” which first detailed the TRA findings and witness accounts. The piece, drawing directly from the gov.uk TRA report, quoted the panel’s language on Ward’s “odd” behaviour and the mint-followed sips.​

Other outlets echoed these facts without deviation. For instance, as reported by BBC News, the “strong smell” incident on 13 November was a pivotal detail not contested by Ward beyond his previous night’s admission. No additional sources introduced conflicting information; all aligned with the official TRA publication at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-misconduct-panel-outcome-mr-steven-ward.​

What Are the Implications for Teachers and Schools?

This ban highlights the zero-tolerance stance on substance misuse in educational settings. Primary schools like Southwark in Basford now face heightened scrutiny, prompting potential reviews of staff conduct policies. The TRA’s emphasis on public perception serves as a deterrent for educators nationwide.​

Parents and guardians may seek assurances on monitoring mechanisms, especially in Nottinghamshire where this unfolded. Unions such as the NASUWT or NEU have not publicly commented specifically on Ward’s case, but general guidelines stress immediate reporting of suspicions.​

Who Is Steven Ward and What Is Southwark Primary School?

Steven Ward, aged 41 at the time of the incidents, was employed as a primary school teacher at Southwark Primary School. The school, located in Basford, Nottinghamshire, caters to young pupils and maintains a focus on safeguarding, as per standard Ofsted expectations.​

No further personal details on Ward were disclosed in the TRA report to protect privacy, but his professional role placed him directly with children. Southwark Primary has not issued a public statement on the matter.​

When Did the TRA Hearing Take Place?

The panel’s determination references events from 9 November 2023, but the formal hearing and decision followed standard TRA procedures, culminating in the published outcome. Witnesses provided accounts covering the three-day span in mid-November 2023.​

The prohibition order’s review date of 22 January 2029 indicates the decision’s recency in procedural terms, aligning with ongoing TRA oversight.​

Where Can the Full TRA Report Be Accessed?

The complete document is available at the official UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-misconduct-panel-outcome-mr-steven-ward. It includes verbatim witness comments, panel reasoning, and sanction details.​

This transparency exemplifies the TRA’s commitment to accountability, allowing public verification of the facts reported across media.