Teacher at £37,500-a-year private school banned after admitting smoking crystal meth 'to relax'

Police discovered his use of the illicit substance incidentally after he called to report "water bulging" at his Hackney home.

Officers attended the home in November 2024, with social workers later saying it was "clear" the English and learning support teacher was smoking crystal meth, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel heard.

There was no reports of harm to pupils at the Dwight School.

But Mr Miles had used the addictive stimulant "on weekends" and was "impacted by ongoing class A drug use", a report said.

The 64-year-old then met with the school in January 2025.

"They're concerned about that crystal meth use but as I am trying to explain I am not addicted to it," the teacher, who had worked at the school for nearly 40 years, claimed during the meeting.

Charles Miles taught at Dwight School in north London for nearly 40 years

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He insisted he only used meth to "relax" and his use was "pretty controlled".

Mr Miles, who is also an amateur poet, admitted to using the drug while working as a teacher, amounting to "unacceptable professional conduct".

The panel then ruled he had committed serious misconduct, banning him from teaching indefinitely in a written decision published on Thursday.

The tribunal found Mr Miles to have "limited insight and/or remorse" over his actions as it justified the decision.

Mr Miles claimed he only used meth to 'relax'

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"The panel had had sight of evidence in the bundle that Mr Miles’ view had been that his drug use was a private matter, separate from his professional engagement as a teacher," the TRA panel said.

It added that public confidence in teachers could be "seriously weakened" if his case was not treated with the "utmost seriousness".

Mr Miles retired from teaching at the end of the school year in summer 2025.

He can apply to have the ban reviewed in five years.

Chris Beddows, head of Dwight School London, said: "We wish to reiterate to you that the matters detailed in the TRA report relate entirely to Mr Miles' personal life outside of school.

"The school was proactive in its actions and told Mr Miles not to return to work from October 2024, as serious concerns around his fitness to work in our school were immediately noted upon arrival on his first day back to work after our two-week half term break.

"It was after this time that the drug allegations surfaced, and we subsequently collaborated with the relevant local authority and agencies leading to the TRA referral which happened in June 2025.

"Mr Miles did not report to school at any time after October 2024.

"Mr Miles’ conduct occurred entirely outside of the school, and the school was not aware of these personal matters during their time with us.

"At no point was there any impact on our students’ safety and wellbeing."