A BRADFORD teacher has been banned from the profession indefinitely after a panel found him guilty of turning up to school under the influence of alcohol, drinking on the premises and greeting a colleague by saying ‘Yo Biatch’.

James Langley, 48, a teacher of over 20 years, lasted less than a month as year 4 class teacher at St Oswald’s CofE Primary Academy having been employed on November 4 and resigning on December 2, 2019.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found Langley guilty of four out of the five allegations and the Secretary of State supported their stance in issuing him a prohibition order with a review period of two years.

On Friday, November 29, while in a meeting with staff member one and two, Langley had consumed alcohol prior to his attendance. He smelled strongly of alcohol, and had not presented himself like that earlier in the day during a breakfast briefing.

On more than one occasion during the time of his employment, he consumed alcohol on the school premises and shouted at staff member four, ‘Yo, Biatch’, or words to that effect.

On or around November 25, he appeared “out of it” in such a way that staff member three did not feel comfortable in his presence or in leaving him alone with students.

The fifth allegation was said to have occurred on an unknown date during the period when Langley failed to respond to staff member five in relation to safeguarding concerns involving students being left alone in a classroom. The panel was of the view that the evidence was vague and open to misinterpretation given it was based on assumptions.

Langley admitted the facts of all five allegations and that his behaviour amounted to unacceptable conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute falling short of the standards of behaviour expected of a teacher.

On December 4, the school referred the matter to the Local Authority Designated Officer and, on March 13, 2020, the school sent it to the TRA.

The panel was satisfied that Langley was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and that he fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.

The panel considered that it was wholly inappropriate and a significant breach of the Teachers Standards for Langley to be under the influence of alcohol whilst on school premises and carrying out his teaching duties. As a result, they concluded that public confidence in the profession would be weakened.

The panel also took account of the fact that pupils must be able to view teachers as role models in the way they behave. Langley’s actions constituted conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute.

In the light of the panel’s findings and full admissions made by Langley, there was a strong public interest consideration respect of the protection of pupils.

The panel found no evidence that Langley’s actions were not deliberate or to suggest that he was acting under duress. In his witness statement, Langley expressed genuine remorse and showed good insight in to his conduct.

The panel considered that Mr Langley’s actions were serious but also considered that, there may be a time in the future that he would be able to contribute once again to the teaching profession.

The panel made a recommendation to the Secretary of State that a prohibition order should be imposed with immediate effect ,with a review period of two years.

The Secretary of State added: “It is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession.

"I have decided that a two-year review period reflects the seriousness of the findings. This means that Mr James Langley 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 July 14, 2023. This is not an automatic right to have the prohibition order removed.”