A west Wales teacher has been banned from the classroom for two years after he got drunk on a school trip, hit a pupil, used obscene language and raised his middle finger.

Shôn Rowcliffe was a physical education cover teacher at Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych when the incident occurred during a school trip to France in 2024.

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 22-24 September 2026, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school teacher and school learning support worker, Mr Rowcliffe.

The committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst Mr Rowcliffe was employed as a school teacher at Ysgol Bro Preseli, on or around 11 May 2024, whilst having responsibility for one or more pupils on a school trip and being in the presence of one or more pupils on a school trip, he was under the influence of alcohol to such a degree that it was not appropriate for him to have responsibility for one or more pupils.

It also found he hit and/or slapped Pupil A across the chest, on one or more occasions, swore and used obscene language and raised his middle finger.

In its ruling, the committee said: “The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Suspension Order (without conditions) on Mr Rowcliffe’s registration as a school teacher and school learning support worker for a period of two years (from 24 September 2026 to 24 September 2028).

“As such, Mr Rowcliffe will not be able to work as a registered person (school teacher and/or school learning support worker) in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales for the period of the Order.

“Mr Rowcliffe has a right of appeal to High Court within 28 days.”