A teacher who was discovered “incoherent” and covered in vomit after consuming alcohol at school has been handed a four-month ban from the classroom. The incident involved Danielle Fleming, who had been drinking vodka at Maesteg School before she was scheduled to oversee a GCSE exam. Subsequently, she was caught drink-driving, further contributing to the decision to bar her from teaching for a temporary period.
The professional standards committee heard that Fleming turned to alcohol as a form of self-medication to cope with work and personal pressures rather than seeking the necessary support. This behaviour was considered a serious breach that endangered not only herself but also her son, students, colleagues, and the public. As a result, Peter Owens, the chair of the Education Workforce Council (EWC) panel, deemed it necessary to impose the temporary ban to allow Fleming time for reflection.
Fleming, who previously held the position of director of expressive arts at Maesteg School, lost her job following the incident where she was found intoxicated and unfit to fulfill her duties. Despite glowing testimonials from school officials describing her as “exemplary” and a “visionary” employee, the panel found that her actions on multiple occasions warranted the temporary removal from the teaching register.
During the virtual fitness to practise hearing, it was revealed that months after the initial incident, Fleming was convicted of drink-driving after being three times over the legal limit. She expressed deep regret for her actions, attributing them to being in “an incredibly dark place” due to the pressures of maintaining a facade of perfection both at work and at home.
Acknowledging her previous clean record and the steps she had taken towards seeking help and expressing remorse for her behaviour, the panel chair, Mr Owens, decided to strike Fleming off temporarily. However, he articulated that her actions had fallen significantly below the expected standards of an education professional on the EWC register.
As part of the conditions for potentially readmission after the ban, Fleming is restricted from applying for middle or senior managerial roles in education. She is only permitted to reapply for class teacher positions and must disclose the panel’s decision to any potential future employer before accepting a new job.
In conclusion, while Fleming’s temporary ban from teaching serves as a professional consequence for her actions, the panel chair extended well wishes for her future endeavors. Fleming retains the right to appeal the decision within 28 days, emphasising the gravity of the situation and underscoring the importance of upholding professional standards in the field of education.