A London private schoolteacher has been banned from the profession after admitting to using crystal meth on weekends. Charles Richard Miles, 64, who taught English, additional language, and learning support at the Dwight School in London, faced disciplinary action following reports about his drug use and concerns regarding his professional conduct.

Miles had been employed at the Dwight School for approximately 40 years. The school, which serves students from nursery through sixth form and offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum, is part of an international chain with branches in New York, Dubai, Hanoi, Shanghai, and Seoul. The London site, originally founded as Holmewood Boys’ Preparatory School in 1885, charges annual fees up to £37,500 and claims to provide “the best International Baccalaureate in north London.”

In 2024, police visited Miles’s east London home after he reported a problem with water bulging in his flat. During the visit, officers observed clear signs that Miles was using crystal meth and noted that he appeared affected by ongoing class A drug use. They subsequently informed the school's administration.

Following this, the school held an informal capability meeting with Miles early last year. At the meeting, he acknowledged using methamphetamine to "relax," describing his consumption as “pretty controlled” and denying addiction. Miles maintained that his drug use was a private matter. However, the school stated he admitted to repeated rather than isolated use.

The school referred the case to the Teaching Regulation Agency, where a disciplinary panel chaired by Shabana Robertson examined the matter. The panel noted that while Miles’s drug use occurred outside school premises and working hours, concerns had been raised about his presentation, wellbeing, and professional functioning during work. It was determined that his conduct directly affected his professional role and his ability to fulfill teaching responsibilities.

As a result, Miles was prohibited from teaching indefinitely at any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children’s home in England. The ban is subject to review after five years. Miles had previously notified the school that he intended to retire at the end of the academic year.

The disciplinary proceedings highlighted the balance between private behavior and professional standards, with the panel emphasizing the impact of off-duty conduct on teaching capability. The Dwight School continues to promote its educational mission as described by Vice Chancellor Blake Spahn, who stated it aims to “ignite the spark of genius in each and every student.”