Drink-driving Essex teacher banned from profession

A teacher has been banned from the profession after driving a car under the influence of alcohol.

A Teaching Regulation Agency panel found Essex teacher Amy Harrison, 42, had "failed to maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour".

Ms Harrison, 42, was charged after a crashing her car in March 2022.

She was also alleged to have been found drinking and smelling of alcohol on school grounds, but the panel found these to be not proven.

A professional conduct panel heard fellow staff members had raised concerns that Ms Harrison had been drinking at about 14:10 GMT on 2 March 2022.

A witness said she asked Ms Harrison if she was OK and she responded that she was. Another member of staff mentioned to the witness he had seen Ms Harrison and had no concerns.

However, on 3 March she did not arrive for lessons and a staff member said she had seen Ms Harrison's car on a roundabout with the "windscreen smashed and airbags out". She also informed the witness that she saw Ms Harrison in a police car.

Ms Harrison told police she had been out to lunch with a friend and had drunk wine prior to the accident, between the hours of 12:00 and 14:00. The panel noted that the accident took place around 16:30.

The panel also viewed and considered the video footage of the roadside breath test, which it understood to be recorded immediately after the accident.

It considered her "demeanour was consistent with an individual who was under the influence of alcohol."

Ms Harrison resigned from her position on 31 March 2022.

The panel noted Ms Harrison, who did not attend her hearing - held on 4 and 5 March - had shown limited evidence of insight and remorse into her actions.

Its report said: "The panel accepted the legal advice provided to it that the panel's role was to consider whether, on the balance of probabilities, the allegation was proven.

"Although the panel noted that the police chose not to pursue criminal proceedings, the panel was mindful that criminal proceedings are subject to a higher standard of proof, namely that the allegation is proven beyond a reasonable doubt."

Ruling on behalf of the education secretary, Marc Cavey agreed with the misconduct panel's recommendation that Ms Harrison should be banned from teaching indefinitely.

She can apply for her prohibition order to be set aside, but not before 12 March 2028.

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