A teacher from Bournemouth has been permanently banned from teaching after being found guilty of mocking the religion and culture of his Muslim pupils during classroom discussions.
The decision, issued by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), follows a misconduct hearing that revealed a pattern of insensitive and targeted remarks made during a lesson on honour killings at The Bishop of Winchester Academy.
The TRA hearing, held from September 29 to October 1, detailed how Mr Alex Lloyd, then a teacher at the academy, made a series of inappropriate comments that singled out pupils from specific cultural and religious backgrounds. The 2022 incident reportedly left several students visibly upset, according to the hearing documents.
One student said Mr Lloyd told a classmate that the lesson on honour killings was a “serious matter affecting their culture” and that they should “pay attention”, according to the report. Another pupil recalled that he asked them to imagine if it were their mother being killed, a comment described as distressing and upsetting for students. Witnesses explained that Mr Lloyd’s teaching style during the session mocked their beliefs and caused discomfort among the group.
According to the hearing’s findings, Mr Lloyd also allegedly told pupils that honour killings occurred mainly within their culture. He used examples involving family members to demonstrate what would happen if adultery was committed, which various pupils found highly inappropriate. The panel considered these remarks to show a lack of professional judgment and respect for students’ backgrounds.
Admissions and further remarks
During the proceedings, Mr Lloyd admitted to many of the comments listed in the agreed statement of facts. He acknowledged saying that female genital mutilation was a form of honour-based violence and that it took place mainly within the culture of some pupils. He also admitted telling another student that she would have been killed for what she was wearing if she were living in Iran.
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The panel heard that Mr Lloyd also said he would commit murder to protect a family member, comments that one student described as being delivered in an angry tone that left the class shocked. Although he accepted having made the remarks, Mr Lloyd continued to defend his conduct during the investigation, claiming his statements were factual and relevant to the topic.
The TRA panel concluded that Mr Lloyd showed no evidence of remorse or empathy regarding the impact of his actions. It found that his behaviour demonstrated an unacceptable lack of professionalism and cultural awareness, and that his continued justification of his comments suggested he failed to understand the seriousness of his misconduct.
Decision and school response
TRA panel member Sarah Buxcey decided that Mr Lloyd should be prohibited from teaching indefinitely. The ruling means he is barred from working in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home in England. The panel said there was no indication that he had reflected on his behaviour or understood the harm caused to his students.
Although Mr Lloyd was previously described as a good teacher with positive interactions with pupils and staff, the panel determined that the seriousness of the case outweighed his past record. It also concluded that permitting him to continue teaching would erode public confidence in the education sector.
In a statement, The Bishop of Winchester Academy said it supports the outcome of the TRA hearing and the decision that was made. The school confirmed that Mr Lloyd is no longer employed by the academy and has no involvement with its students or community.
The academy added that the welfare, safety, and education of its students remain its highest priority, emphasising that it will continue to uphold the highest professional and safeguarding standards expected of all staff.
