A private school teacher who committed an assault on school grounds while drunk has been banned from the profession for two years.

Andrew Dixon, 26, was working as a teacher of PE and games, boarding house tutor and head of house at St Joseph's College in Ipswich's Belstead Road at the time of the offence.

A virtual Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) hearing held last month heard that he had been out celebrating the end of term with his colleagues on December 16, 2022, when he returned to the boarding school where he had a flat.

However, rather than returning to his accommodation Mr Dixon, who was under the influence of alcohol, went to The Mews boarding house where 24 Spanish students were staying.

At about 10.40pm staff were alerted that Mr Dixon was fighting a male member of staff from a holiday company linked to the Spanish students who he didn't recognise.

According to testimony heard by the panel, the victim was left in pain with several bruises, a broken his thumb as well as a pain in his jaw that potentially required surgery.

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

Pupils who witnessed the event said they were "shocked", according to evidence heard by the panel. 

Even when police arrived at the scene the Mr Dixon continued to be argumentative and as a result he was arrested.

He was released from police custody and on January 5, 2023 he attended an investigatory meeting at the school.

On January 16, 2023, Mr Dixon, who had originally joined the school in 2019 after graduating from Leeds Beckett University in 2019, attended a disciplinary meeting.

The following day Mr Dixon, who had previously worked as a temporary residential boarding assistant at the school from January 2023 to August 2023, was dismissed from his employment.

He was subsequently referred to TRA on January 26 and convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Suffolk Magistrates' Court on March 30, 2023. As a result, Mr Dixon was instructed to pay a fine and compensation. 

The panel concluded that Mr Dixon had breached several teaching standards including upholding "public trust in the profession".

The panel also noted that Mr Dixon, a qualified rugby union coach, had acted contrary to the requirements of his role at the school described in the job description to “set an excellent example to students through personal presentation and conduct”. 

According to the panel, the former Northampton Saints under-16 rugby coach could affect public confidence in the profession if he was allowed to continue to teach.

However, the panel noted that Mr Dixon did not receive a custodial sentence indicating that the assault was at "the less serious end of the possible spectrum". 

They also heard that Mr Dixon had subsequently taken part in a series of counselling sessions to "explore" his issues with alcohol and anger management.

He had also said that he was “ashamed about [his] actions” and was “genuinely sorry” for his behaviour which was “totally out of character”.

Nevertheless, the panel concluded that there was a risk of a repetition and that a prohibition order banning him from teaching should be imposed.

As a result, Mr Dixon will be banned from working in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

He can appeal for the prohibition order to be lifted in 2026. 

St Joseph's College has been contacted for comment.