Teacher at private school found hanged in his home after losing his job for 'heavy drinking' 

  • Paul McCaffery had also been told to leave his Royal Hospital School home
  • Inquest heard he was sacked for 'alcohol related' issues and lost his appeal
  • His brother wants an apology from the £30,000-a-year boarding school
  • He said it should have kept the family informed about his 'mental health'
  • Coroner said school has no 'liability' for Mr McCaffery's suicide

By Alex Gore

Enlarge   Suicide: An inquest heard Paul McCaffrey was found hanged at his Royal Hospital School home in Holbrook, after losing his job


A teacher hanged himself at a £30,000-a-year private school after being sacked for alleged heavy drinking, an inquest heard.

Paul McCaffery, 46, lost his job as assistant director of music at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Suffolk, in January this year.

He was given notice to leave his house at the 680-pupil school by the end of the Easter holidays.

Maintenance staff found Mr McCaffery, who had taught at the school for 20 years, hanging in his staff accommodation on March 29 after a friend got no reply the previous evening.

The inquest in Ipswich heard Mr McCaffery was sacked for 'alcohol related' issues. His appeal against dismissal was turned down by headteacher Howard Blackett.

Mr McCaffery's brother Philip said after the hearing that the teacher had been accused of being drunk at a Christmas dinner last year when he had simply fallen off his chair while pulling a Christmas cracker. 

He added that his brother's death could have been averted and demanded and apology from the school, which he claimed still had questions to answer.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Suffolk Coroner Dr Peter Dean said: 'Concerns were raised about his response to losing his job, which was a very significant part of his life, and it is clear that losing his job meant losing his home.'

A post-mortem found the cause of death to be compression of neck structures. Toxicology tests also found a raised alcohol level.

The inquest heard that an assessment carried out by a mental health crisis team in February, did not find Mr McCaffery to be at risk of suicide.


But the inquest heard how he had earlier been complaining of anxiety attacks and was prescribed beta-blockers by the school's doctor.

Dr Dean said: 'The family said had they known more they would have taken further steps. We can't be certain that even if they had all the information this tragedy could have been averted.

Historic: Royal Hospital School opened in 1715 and has fees of up to £30,000-a-year for boarders


'The school went through a process they felt they had to go through. They shared some information but some things they couldn't share because of patient confidentiality. It was a difficult decision for the school to take about a valuable member of staff.

'It does appear beyond reasonable doubt, Paul intended the consequences of his actions and I record a verdict that Paul McCaffery took his own life.'

Dr Dean said he would be writing to the school to remind them of the need 'to look at all aspects of vulnerability' when making decision about staff.

He said: 'Clearly it was a hard decision for the school but we need to raise the awareness - that is not to imply any liability on the school's part.'

Mr McCaffery's brother Philip said after Thursday's inquest at the IP-City centre in Ipswich that there were still questions that needed to be answered by the school and he would be seeking a meeting with the school's trustees - Greenwich Hospital.

He said: 'I think Paul's death could have been averted. If I had all the information to hand I don't think Paul would be dead now.

Hanged: Maintenance staff found Mr McCaffery dead in his staff accommodation at the school


'The school had pre-conceived ideas about Paul having drinking problems which clouded his dismissal. I'm disappointed nobody from the school apart from the doctor attended today. There's a big void of answers the family is still seeking.

'Looking back, he didn't have a drink problem, he had mental health issues. The school could have kept the family better informed without breaking patient confidentiality.

'I want the school to apologise and admit more could have been done. He was a larger-than-life character and loved by so many, including parents and pupils. He has helped so many people to achieve their goals, not just in music but in life.'

The school, founded in 1715 to educate the sons of seafarers, has boarding fees of £29,937-a-year, which are heavily discounted for the children of Royal Navy personnel.

Nobody from the Royal Hospital School was available for comment.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

It is very easy to pass judgement on people , but obviously this man had his own demons and it doesnt matter how hard you try its not always possible excorsize them .A very sad story and you can only have sympathy for his friends and family the carnage left when something like this happens is unbelievable .

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R.I.P Paul

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RIP Paul, I hope that the people who made the poor decision to make you homeless never have the pain to suffer untreated mental health issues............

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If he had been a teacher in a state school, he would have been suspended on full pay. Lets face it, if you work for any government office you do as you like without facing the consequences

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How mean of the school not to help him but kick him out of his home and jobl - such an awful world we live in!

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He needed help not sacking........

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Sad but not the school's fault that the family didn't know more about the situation.

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Sad but hardly the schools fault. People always want to blame someone else instead of the person whose fault it is - which is his

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Why would the school have to keep his family informed of his health? He is not a child, and this statement alone suggests he was being controlled by his addiction. Good teacher or not, you can not have an alcoholic teaching your kids.

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Well if as the brother says they would have done more had they known,why didnt they know he was having probems if they were so close? Its always easy for family to blame other people than to accept that maybee THEY should have taken upon themselves to spend more time with a family member with alleged mental health problems. That said, I also believe that too many people are dismissed from jobs too quickly and easily for drink/mental health issues. And if more companies would take initiative, if an incident has occured,to give an employee an ultimatum of recieving help,whilst taking a suspension of sorts,and being able to return whilst being monitored in another sort of probationary time.That way a company does not lose a good employee and a person does not lose a life career,home etc.We give people time off for everything from maternity leave,family issues,grief,etc..so offering someone at least the chance to address problems seems right,and if they dont,at least the offer is on record

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