Teacher drank in class, swore at pupils and did Macarena

A former teacher who swore at pupils and danced the Macarena while under the influence of alcohol in a classroom has been banned from teaching in Wales.

A fitness to practise hearing was held into allegations against Alice Ashton, who taught at Ysgol Bro Caereinion near Welshpool, Powys.

An Education Workforce Council (EWC) panel heard from pupils and the school's deputy head teacher and considered Ms Ashton's 2023 drink-driving conviction before ruling her behaviour amounted to unacceptable professional conduct.

Ms Ashton, who did not attend the hearing, will be removed from the EWC register indefinitely but may reapply after two years.

An investigation into Ms Ashton's behaviour was launched after a parent raised concerns about her conduct during a lesson on 17 January 2024.

Following the complaint, the school reviewed CCTV footage and on 19 February commissioned an independent investigation led by Lorna Simpson.

Ms Ashton resigned on the same day.

During the investigation, Ms Simpson interviewed several pupils who reported that Ms Ashton smelled of alcohol, appeared under the influence of alcohol during the lesson, and used inappropriate language including swearing.

On Tuesday the EWC panel heard from a girl who was taught by Ms Ashton twice a week for around three months, referring to her as pupil H.

She described a Personal and Social Education lesson – a subject which includes drug and alcohol awareness - taught by Ms Ashton on 17 January 2024.

As she was sitting near the teacher's desk, pupil H said she noticed there was a alcohol smell coming from an Evian bottle, and said she shared "a knowing look" with another pupil sitting nearby.

Pupil H added Ms Ashton was smiling and happy at the start of the lesson and kept getting up from her desk, but that she became more irritated as the lesson went on.

The pupil also alleged Ms Ashton swore at the whole class as they became rowdy, and at one point put her middle finger close to one boy's face and swore at him, but did not remember exactly what was said.

Presenting the case, Lewis Harrison asked pupil H if there were differences between Ms Ashton's usual teaching and the incident.

Pupil H said Ms Ashton would normally just get on with the work and that the class had never had any lessons like the one on 17 January.

The panel also considered the evidence of another member of school staff who spoke with Ms Ashton on January 17.

The member of staff said she could not understand what Ms Ashton was saying, describing it as "like a jumble of words", and that Ms Ashton stumbled and staggered as she went to lean up against a wall.

The hearing was told Ms Ashton was convicted of drink-driving in September 2023 at Telford Magistrates' Court for being over the legal limit on 19 August.

She was sentenced to a 12-month community order, made to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work, and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 28 months.

In his closing statement, Mr Harrison said the pupils had provided "an overwhelming body of evidence" to support the allegations.

He said all the pupils who were interviewed made reference "to the fact that swear words were being used".

Mr Harrison said when Ms Ashton was questioned about the swearing she denied it, but failed to answer questions about "getting up in a pupil's face" or about getting angry and snapping at one of the pupils.

On Wednesday the panel found most allegations against Ms Ashton proven, including that she was under the influence of alcohol during the lesson, used inappropriate language and breached the EWC's code of conduct due to a prior drink-driving conviction.

They noted she appeared "disinhibited" on CCTV, drank alcohol in class, and swore at pupils.

In response to the school's investigation, Ms Ashton said she had been taking prescribed medication which could make her become excitable – but the panel said no medical evidence or prescription to support this had been provided to them.

Two of the allegations - claims that Ms Ashton did not allow pupils to leave the classroom and made rude hand gestures - were dismissed.

Mr Powell said Ms Ashton did not engage with the hearing and showed "no expression of regret or apology".

The panel were told about an email she had previously sent in which she said she was no longer a teacher and no longer lives in Wales.

In her mitigation, the panel heard Ms Ashton had no previous disciplinary findings against her and that she had also referred herself to the EWC before being convicted of drink-driving.

She can appeal the decision to the High Court.