A teacher who left pupils alone while he went boozing until 4am during a trip to Lourdes has been banned from the profession.

Niall O’Hagan was leading a school trip from St Bede’s College in Whalley Range when he left the group of pupils unsupervised in a French hotel while he went out drinking.

In a string of drunken incidents during the trip the physics teacher got drunk while in charge of pupils, turned up to morning mass intoxicated and gave youngsters vodka and wine.

The 30-year-old was subsequently sent home and immediately suspended from St Bede’s as a result of his behaviour.

He has now been banned from teaching indefinitely.

A professional conduct panel heard how Mr O’Hagan got drunk while in charge of students at Lac de Lourdes and at a fancy dress party.

He left pupils aged between 16 and 18 unsupervised at their hotel on two occasions including one evening when a student had a panic attack.

He also gave youngsters vodka in their hotel room and bought them wine to drink.

When brought before a National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) panel, Mr O’Hagan claimed the trip to Lourdes in August 2015 had been ‘particularly emotional’ following the death of his father in July 2012.

Mr O’Hagan made the decision to attend Alcoholic Anonymous the day after he was dismissed from the trip and has been engaged with the programme ever since, the panel heard.

Education bosses, however, found that Mr O’Hagan had neglected his duty of care towards the pupils during the trip.

The NCTL has now banned Mr O’Hagan from teaching indefinitely. He cannot appeal until September 2018.

A spokesman for St Bede’s College said it took safeguarding responsibilities ‘extremely seriously’ and had robust policies in place.

“The concern for the welfare of every pupil is paramount,” a school spokesman said.

“The college has been organising school trips to Lourdes for more than 20 years.

“These trips are of huge spiritual importance to our students and are part of the fabric of school life.

“Rigorous policies are followed in preparation to ensure they run smoothly and effectively. Immediate action was taken by the college in 2015 to remove the member of staff in charge to ensure the school visit could continue safely and all the relevant authorities were informed.”