A teacher from Essex has been banned from the profession after being convicted of drink driving. The Teaching Regulation Agency panel found that Amy Harrison, 42, had 'failed to maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour'.
Ms Harrison was charged after crashing her car in March 2022. The panel heard that fellow staff members had raised concerns about her drinking at around 14:10 GMT on 2 March 2022. However, a witness said she asked Ms Harrison if she was OK and she responded that she was.
On 3 March, she did not arrive for lessons and a staff member reported seeing Ms Harrison's car on a roundabout with a smashed windscreen and deployed airbags. Ms Harrison was seen in a police car. She told police she had been out to lunch with a friend and had drunk wine between 12:00 and 14:00, prior to the accident which took place around 16:30.
The panel viewed video footage of the roadside breath test and considered her 'demeanour was consistent with an individual who was under the influence of alcohol'. The panel noted that Ms Harrison, who did not attend her hearing, had shown limited evidence of insight and remorse.
Although the police chose not to pursue criminal proceedings, the panel found the allegation proven on the balance of probabilities. Marc Cavey, ruling on behalf of the education secretary, agreed with the 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.
