Views expressed by a teacher in an honour killing lesson leads to his prohibition from teaching

In October 2025, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) published a professional conduct panel outcome for Mr Alex Lloyd, formerly a science teacher and the head of sixth form at The Bishop of Winchester Academy, Bournemouth.

Referrals to the TRA are made in situations where there is alleged serious teacher misconduct. Panels will give careful consideration on whether to prohibit a teacher from teaching, while balancing the interests of pupils/the teaching profession against a teacher’s ability to teach.

In this case, the TRA panel had to consider allegations of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct likely to bring the teaching profession into disrepute.

Background and disciplinary allegations

The core allegations related to a lesson on honour killings that Mr Lloyd conducted in 2022. Mr Lloyd had directed comments at individual pupils that reinforced discriminatory stereotypes, including telling one pupil to ‘imagine this was your mum being killed’ (or words to that effect), stating that female genital mutilation happens ‘exclusively in your culture’ (or words to that effect), saying that if a pupil lived in Iran she would have been killed for what she was wearing (or words to that effect), and referring sarcastically to a ‘religion of peace’, accompanied by a thumbs-up gesture.

Further he told the class he would happily commit murder if anyone hurt his daughters (or words to that effect).

TRA findings

Although not all aspects of the allegations were proved, on the evidence (including oral evidence from witnesses and corroborated pupil accounts) the panel found the key particulars were proved. It also found that these comments demonstrated a lack of tolerance and/or respect for others, contrary to Fundamental British Values. It concluded that the conduct of Mr Lloyd represented a serious departure from the Teachers’ Standards, especially the requirement to treat pupils with dignity, to show tolerance of and respect for the rights and beliefs of others, and to safeguard pupils’ welfare. The panel considered the impact on pupils to be significant; several were visibly upset and felt their religion had been mocked. A full copy of the panel decision can be found here.

Prohibition order with immediate effect

Balancing public interest factors, safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils, maintaining public confidence, declaring proper standards, and (to a lesser extent) retaining the teacher in the profession, the panel recommended a prohibition order with immediate effect.

Although it noted some evidence of good character and no prior disciplinary history, it found no evidence of remorse or insight. Indeed, Mr Lloyd had sought to justify his comments when questioned during the school investigation.

A senior official, on behalf of the Education Secretary, accepted the panel’s recommendation.

Practical takeaways for schools/MATs

Staff should be reminded of their core obligations under the Teachers’ Standards and should be provided with appropriate training where necessary.

• Ensure staff training emphasises respectful handling of sensitive topics and Fundamental British Values.
• Reinforce safeguarding pathways (use of the DSL; timely logging on internal systems).
• Remind leaders that lack of insight/remorse can weigh heavily in sanction decisions.
• Keep thorough investigation records where pupil impact is reported.

If issues arise such as this, we recommend that early advice is sought from HR and the Local Authority Designated Officer.

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