Drunk Swimming Teacher Banned After Falling Over in Pool During Lesson

Panel chair Shabana Robertson stated:

'Mr Knight accepted that he entered the pool alongside a class of pupils whilst under the influence of alcohol and/or prescription medication. Mr Knight accepted that due to his consumption of alcohol and/or prescription medication, he was unsteady on his feet, struggling to speak articulately and unable to focus or remain orientated.”

A swimming teacher who delivered lessons while drunk, repeatedly falling over in front of students, has been banned from the profession.

The Panel

The panel said his conduct 'fell significantly short of the standards expected' and that the pupils were 'vulnerable in a swimming pool setting'.

Knight, who also admitted bringing the teaching profession into disrepute, 'could not recall the specifics of his drinking' but revealed he 'probably would have consumed the wine directly from the wine bottle'.

Ms Robertson added: 'The panel also noted that there was evidence that Mr Knight had run the swimming lesson in a different way on this occasion as he had failed to take a headcount or do a register and that his general mannerisms were different.'

She concluded: 'There was no evidence that Mr Knight’s actions were not deliberate. There was no evidence to suggest that Mr Knight was acting under extreme duress.

'There was no evidence which demonstrated exceptionally high standards in both personal and professional conduct or that Mr Knight had contributed significantly to the education sector.'

Teaching Ban Issued

The panel banned Knight from teaching for two years, with the possibility of a review. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson approved the decision, with civil servant Marc Cavey stating:

“These findings of misconduct are serious, involving a teacher consuming alcohol on school premises and failing in his duty to safeguard pupils.”

Knight has 28 days to appeal the ruling but cannot reapply to the teaching register before 2027.

Liam Knight, 30, a former Team GB swimmer, was just weeks into his new job at Drayton Junior School in Norwich when he turned up intoxicated for a swimming lesson after consuming a bottle of wine during his lunch break.

A professional misconduct panel heard that Knight had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and difficulty staying on his feet during the lesson on 10 October 2023. Colleagues noticed the smell of alcohol, and a staff member later found an empty wine bottle in the school toilets.

Knight, who had started at the school in September 2023, was also taking medication that caused drowsiness—something he failed to disclose to management.

Misconduct Panel Findings

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) tribunal found that:

• Knight admitted entering the pool under the influence of alcohol and/or medication;

• His coordination and speech were impaired, making him unfit to supervise students safely;

• He failed to take a register or conduct a headcount, running the lesson differently than usual; and

• His actions put children at risk in a vulnerable swimming pool environment.

Knight, who has since worked as an ambulance care assistant, could not recall how much he drank but admitted he likely consumed the wine directly from the bottle in a nearby park before returning to work.

A Once-Promising Career

The panel banned Knight from teaching for two years, with the possibility of a review. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson approved the decision, with civil servant Marc Cavey stating:

“These findings of misconduct are serious, involving a teacher consuming alcohol on school premises and failing in his duty to safeguard pupils.”

Knight has 28 days to appeal the ruling but cannot reapply to the teaching register before 2027.