The principal of an elementary school in Bedford, Englandwas disqualified from teaching for life after it was discovered a secret reserve of alcohol in his office.
Leanne Grove44 years old, former director of Hazelden Schooladmitted the facts after an assistant teacher found an empty can and another unopened can of gin and tonic in her bag on March 2, 2023.
Subsequently, the local management conducted a search of the office and found various drinks, open and closed, in cabinets and containers. As a result of these incidents, Grove was suspended from his duties on March 3, 2023.
The Teaching Regulation Authority (BETWEENfor its acronym in English) of the United Kingdom opened a formal investigation against the educator. Among the proven accusations, Grove admitted that he stored alcohol in the management office without permission.
Leanne Grove, director of the institution, admitted storing alcohol in her office and drinking after a parents’ meeting. Photo: Pexels.School authorities found a «large quantity of alcoholic beverages» at the scene, which were in open containers and in unlocked cabinets within the school facilities.
The TRA panel further found that the office in question was frequently used by students with special educational needs (SEND)a circumstance that increased concern about the possibility of a minor accessing alcohol.
“It was mentioned that, at times, the office was left open and that the students, especially when they were distressed, used it frequently,» said the president of the panel, Richard Youngaccording to the official TRA document.
Grove also acknowledged that he brought alcohol to school and consumed it before going to work. «I admit that I consumed alcohol on the premises, before a meeting of Governors and after a parents night. «I did this in my office when there were no students at school,» he acknowledged in a written statement.
Lack of judgment and public trust
The professional conduct panel found that Grove’s behavior was ‘reckless’. The panel found there were safeguarding and health and safety concerns, and noted the Grove «showed a clear lack of judgement».
The panel noted that the former Hazeldene School principal, whose tenure extended from January 2020 to May 2023, was in a «position of trust and responsibility» and was to be a «role model for other staff and students». The conduct was considered a breach of his professional obligations.
The official TRA report concluded that Grove’s conduct was of «serious nature» and fell «significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.» Furthermore, the action constituted conduct that «may discredit the profession.»
School authorities found a «large quantity of alcoholic beverages» at the scene. Photo: Pexels.The panel identified that the public interest in the safeguarding and welfare of pupils required the imposition of a prohibition order.
Although Grove showed a certain degree of self-awareness and expressed remorseacknowledging for example that «he had let down the entire school community», his view on the problem was considered «emerging, not complete.»
David Oatleythe official who signed the decision on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, emphasized that the lack of full introspection meant that «there is some risk of repetition of this behavior and this puts the future wellbeing of pupils at risk».
Ms. Grove, who had stated that she had «no present desire to return to the profession,» is now iDisqualified from teaching indefinitely. You may request that the disqualification order be annulled starting in 2027, two years after the date of the order. The official decision was issued on October 24, 2025.
