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Drunken teacher punished
A TEACHER who turned up drunk for work at a village school has been given a Conditional Registration Order after being found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct by the General Teaching Council for England (GTC).
Mrs Judith Mary Blackburn of High Street, Belton, drove to work, at Swinefleet Primary School, on February 25, 2008, while almost twice over the legal limit and then refused to go to headteacher, Peter Gibson's, office and to heed his instructions for her not to attempt to drive again.
She was convicted at Goole Magistrates Court in March 2008, on a charge of drink driving and last week received a Conditional Registration Order (eighteen months) after being found guilty of bringing the teaching profession into direpute. This means she may still teach in this time as long as she complies with the conditions of the Order.
The hearing committee stated: "We are of the opinion that there was a potential risk to pupils and the wider school community. We are not satisfied that Mrs Blackburn has complete insight into this potential risk.
"Mrs Blackburn has said in evidence that her consumption of alcohol has increased at times of depression. In order to ensure ongoing public confidence in Mrs Blackburn continuing to discharge her duties as a teacher and in order to ensure her continued recovery and successful return to work, we feel that a Conditional Registration Order is necessary"
The conditions are that Mrs Blackburn: must provide a report from her GP confirming her continued fitness to teach with specific reference to the appropriate use of alcohol by 31 March 2010, 30 September 2010 and 31 March 2011; shall continue to attend the Junction alcohol support group or another similar organisation which has received prior approval of the Registrar of the GTCE and provide written confirmation of her continuing attendance to the Registrar by 30 September 2010 and 31 March 2011.
The committee said it recognised that this was the first incident in a long career in teaching and they hoped Mrs Blackburn would make a successful return to the profession.
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Friday 18 May 2012
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