A supply teacher who was found to be under the influence of alcohol at two schools where he worked has been banned from the profession.

Robert James Morris, 41, also took alcohol into school: a search of his classroom found a black bag containing a nearly empty bottle of vodka, as well as a water bottle containing vodka. 

He said he had been drinking the night before.

Mr Morris was also observed by staff as being “unsteady on his feet”, according to a report written by a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency.

In an email, Mr Morris’ supply agency had told him to “avoid any excessive alcohol consumption prior to working”, the panel found.

The teacher admitted the allegations, which refer to incidents last year at two unnamed Bedfordshire schools.

But the panel did not feel Mr Morris showed sufficient insight into or remorse for his behaviour, as he had attempted to make a number of excuses.

The panel “was particularly concerned that the safety of students had been compromised by Mr Morris’ actions and that the allegations found proven showed a pattern of behaviour of this kind,” the report says.

Mr Morris has been banned from teaching, although he can ask for this decision to be reviewed in 2020.