A maths teacher has been struck off from the profession after being caught using cocaine at a staff Christmas party. Rowan Barnicoat, 29, was observed by colleagues snorting the drug through a rolled-up £5 note during the December 2023 event.
Barnicoat, who taught at Pool Academy in Redruth, Cornwall, reportedly told a colleague he had "something stronger" and that he wanted to consume it away from senior management. He also made comments to a colleague about having "cash from dealing" when discussing taxi fares.
Another colleague witnessed Barnicoat taking two bags of white powder from a suitcase, placing it on a table, and preparing it with a credit card before consuming it. Barnicoat confirmed the substance was cocaine. He had alluded to other colleagues about cocaine but stated he did not bring it to the party because senior leadership would be present.
Following the incident, Barnicoat resigned from the school in February 2024. An investigation was subsequently launched, and the case was referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). The TRA panel found Barnicoat guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.
In its ruling, the panel stated that Barnicoat's conduct was "of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession." The panel emphasized that such behavior had the potential to damage the reputation of the education sector and that public confidence could be weakened if not treated with seriousness. The panel also noted Barnicoat's lack of engagement with the hearing and absence of demonstrated rehabilitative steps.
Barnicoat began his teaching career in September 2022. The TRA hearing was chaired by Gamel Byles.