A West London teacher has been banned from teaching for at least five years after being found drunk at work and convicted of drink-driving with a child in her car.
Ms Alexandra Zbanca, 41, a Special Educational Needs (SEN) teacher, was convicted of drink-driving with a child in the passenger seat in May 2022 while working at Pield Heath House School in Uxbridge. Police found two empty wine bottles in nappy bags in her car, described as an attempt to conceal her drinking. The child, referred to as Child B, was on a child protection plan.
Eight months later, in February 2023, Ms Zbanca began working at Pentland Field School in Ickenham. Colleagues reported her for being unable to walk in a straight line, struggling to sit upright, and admitting to drinking. It was alleged she had bottles of wine in her bag and fell over while attempting to teach.
A Teaching Regulation Agency tribunal found she was unable to safeguard children, including another pupil who attended school smelling of urine. Ms Zbanca did not attend the hearing. She was banned from teaching indefinitely, with a review after five years.
