Safeguarding concerns arose at Hazeldene School in Bedford after alcohol was discovered in an office used by pupils with special educational needs. The incident led to the suspension of the school’s headteacher and a full investigation by education authorities.
The issue came to light in March 2023 when a teaching assistant noticed an empty drink can inside the headteacher’s handbag. Subsequent checks revealed several bottles, both opened and sealed, stored in cupboards and containers within the office — a space sometimes used by vulnerable pupils requiring emotional support.
The former headteacher, Leanne Grove, 44, admitted to keeping alcohol on school premises and acknowledged that some of the containers were not securely locked. She also admitted drinking alcohol before a governors’ meeting and after a parents’ evening, though she did not disclose the quantity consumed.
A misconduct panel under the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) concluded that Grove’s actions fell short of the standards expected of a school leader. The panel emphasized that headteachers are entrusted to provide a safe environment and to set a positive example for staff and pupils. Having alcohol accessible in a school setting, especially in areas used by children, was deemed “completely unacceptable.”
The investigation found that there was a real risk of pupils coming into contact with alcohol, particularly given the vulnerability of children using the office. The panel described the conduct as a serious lapse in judgment, noting that it compromised pupil safety and trust in school leadership.
Acting on behalf of the education secretary, civil servant David Oatley issued an indefinite teaching ban against Grove. She is now barred from working in any school, sixth form college, or children’s home in England. Grove has since stated that she has moved on from teaching and has no plans to return to the profession.
