A former teacher at a private school has been found to have breached professional standards after being convicted of assault and actual bodily harm.

Andrew Dixon, who worked as a PE and games teacher at St Joseph's College, Belstead Road, Ipswich, was found to have breached teaching standards after assaulting another adult on the school premises.

The online professional conduct panel hearing held by The Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) concluded during the hearing on Friday that Mr Dixon failed to act as a role model and that his offence had a likely impact on the safety and security of pupils.

Mr Dixon, who was appointed PE and Games Master and Boarding House Assistant at the school, had been out celebrating the end of term with his colleagues on Friday December 16 when he returned to the boarding school where he had a flat.

The panel heard that rather than returning to his accommodation Mr Dixon, who was under the influence of alcohol, went to The Mews boarding house where some Spanish students were staying.

At around 10.40pm staff were alerted that Mr Dixon, a qualified Rugby Union coach and referee, was fighting a representative of the holiday company who was responsible for the Spanish student's stay at the school.

Mr Dixon was accused of "confrontational behaviour under the influence of alcohol".

According to testimony heard by the panel, the victim was 'left in pain' with 'several bruises' and had 'broken his thumb'.

The victim said that the altercation had been instigated by Mr Dixon who continued with his violent attack despite attempts by the victim to de-escalate the situation.

Even when police arrived at the scene the Leeds Beckett University graduate continued to be argumentative and as a result he was arrested.

Pupils who witnessed the event were 'shocked' according to evidence heard by the panel. 

In January 2023, Mr Dixon, who had previously worked as a Rugby Coach at Ilkley Grammar School in West Yorkshire, attended a disciplinary hearing at the school and was subsequently dismissed.

Mr Dixon, who was also employed by Northampton Saints as an under 16 rugby coach from 2021 to 2022, was also referred to the TRA.

On March 30, 2023, Mr Dixon was convicted of assault and actual bodily harm at Suffolk Magistrates Court.

Mr Dixon was instructed by the court to pay a fine and compensation.

The hearing heard that a certificate of conviction and access to police records had conclusively proven that Mr Dixon had been convicted. 

The panel noted that Mr Dixon, who did not attend the hearing, had admitted that he had been convicted via an email sent on Thursday August 8 while also informing the TRA that he wasn't going to attend the hearing.

After taking independent legal advice, it was decided that the hearing should continue in Mr Dixon's absence. 

It was concluded that although Mr Dixon had not been teaching when the offence took place it was an offence that was "relevant" to his role as a teacher.

With reference to the Teachers Standards, the panel decided that Mr Dixon's actions were unacceptable for a professional in a position of responsibility and risked harming public confidence in the teaching profession.

The fact that the assault took place in an educational setting and took place in a school environment were considered crucial.

Following the end of the public section of the hearing the panel retired to decide if it intended to impose a prohibition order on Mr Dixon banning him from teaching.

The panel will make their recommendation to the Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson.