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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect a headteacher to be sacked after being prosecuted for drink driving?

98 replies

Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 11:30

A headteacher in a school nearby was charged with drink driving during school hours and lost their license last summer.

They have now been suspended (last week)- pending an investigation but the reason was not stated in the local press.

OP posts:
laweaselmys · 10/03/2009 11:31

They probably will be, but they have to complete the investigation first.

nickytwotimes · 10/03/2009 11:32

They will probably lose their registration with the NTC shortly.
One reaason why dh never drinks much if he is driving the next day.

DumbledoresGirl · 10/03/2009 11:32

Oh have a bit of compassion. It doesn't make them a paedophile. Do you really think they should lose their job? (I am presuming they are not going to go to prison, in which case, obviously the job would have to be lost).

Nabster · 10/03/2009 11:33

I don't think it is a sackable offence unless he was in his work capacity while drink driving.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 10/03/2009 11:34

What's it got to do with you?

Original poster
Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 11:34

Law - this invesitgation is not a result of the driving thing, it can't be too much time has passed.

I just can't understand how this headteacher has remained credible with staff and students since the summer and why the governors didnt act sooner.

Having said that it is yet to come out about current investigation.

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 10/03/2009 11:35

It is common procedure for a teacher to be de-registered for drink driving.
The NTC will consider the case first then make a decision.
Personally, I don't think it warrants de re-ging, but public sector workers seem to have to be whiter than white these days.

ThePregnantHedgeWitch · 10/03/2009 11:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 11:41

I believe this did happen during school hours.

Lady - I am a parent within the community.

Dumble - I do feel sorry for them - but I do know via mums of students at the school that the students feel it is unreasonable of them to 'go on about' uniform when they put some ones life at risk through there actions. They have lost of lot of respect. The headteacher is very committed and driven from what I know and have been praised for their work.

OP posts:
AMumInScotland · 10/03/2009 11:41

Assuming the drink-driving was a single lapse in judgement, I don't think it would be reasonable to sack him over it. Maybe different if he had a longstanding drink problem, but anyone can make a mistake.

Original poster
Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 11:43

What if this was part of a wider problem related to drink?

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 10/03/2009 11:44

Trust me, the NCT take this issue very seriously.

DumbledoresGirl · 10/03/2009 11:45

I take the point that he has lost his standing with his pupils, but surely that is something he is going to have to overcome? Hopefully, if he is as driven and committed as you say, he may be able to get back on track professionally.

I don't condone what he did at all, but I would not want to see anyone automatically sacked from their job for committing a crime not directly linked to their work. To be drunk in the day, a working day at that, would imply he has serious personal issues and his job may be the only thing preventing him from sinking completely.

notagrannyyet · 10/03/2009 11:47

If it was in school hours then maybe he should be sacked.

He would be in many other jobs. In engineering it's not just the staff who operate machines who can't drink during working hours. Office staff have to abide by the same rules.

They are also subject to random drugs tests.

lowenergylightbulb · 10/03/2009 11:47

Well, any criminal conviction can result in deregistration. It's one of those things that you know when you start teaching! Might be harsh, but it's part of the job.

Original poster
Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 11:56

Well nicky I wonder why they havnt acted as they were charged last summer and it is only now some 'apparent' action has been taken.

But I think this latest action is related to something else - it surely couldn't have taken them that long?

OP posts:
ScottishMummy · 10/03/2009 11:58

certain professions have a code of ethics and professional conduct upon which registration is based

even a caution could result in losing registration

Original poster
Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 12:03

Dumbledores - this would be down to them and their drive and I hadnt thought it might be the last thing keeping them from sinking right under.

I guess the crux is do you think a person who has lost their license in this way should be headteacher of a school who at the end of the day is there to set a good example in a legal, moral and ethical sense as well as overseeing education paid a high salary with tax payers money.

I mean can you imagine any poor teacher trying to teach about the alcohol during PSE since then.

OP posts:
babybarrister · 10/03/2009 12:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

islandofsodor · 10/03/2009 12:05

I agree with babybarrister who obc=viously knows much more about the legal side than I do.

OIf the offence was in school time then I dfo think there is a case ofr at least a sever warning. Otherwise I don;t think it should be a sackable offence unless a driving licence is an essential part of the job.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 10/03/2009 12:05

What are you trying to do, start up a witchhunt? You are not even a parent of a child at the school FFS. It is none of your business what the governors or the NTC choose to do about this.

flowerybeanbag · 10/03/2009 12:06

If it happened during school hours that means he was either drinking or still under the influence of alcohol while being responsible for children, as well as the fact that he drove a car.

Original poster
Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 12:07

Sorry I have thought about this a bit more Dumbles it might be the jolt they need to seek help if they did lose their job - I mean they may think they have it under control if they are 'getting away with it'

OP posts:
Original poster
Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 12:16

Baby - they were convicted (sorry if this wasnt clear) and their driving license suspended for 12 months with a fine.

Lady - No i am not a parent of a child at the school - however my child may have to go their, and even if this wasn't the case as a member of a community i have a vested interest about the education of young persons.

If I really wanted to start a witchhunt do you think I would post on here, or would I not be writing to press or governors. This question has come to my attention and I am sounding it out with valid and valued contributions from MNs as many people do on here. If you do not wish to contribute to the discussion I would be grateful if you would stop 'attacking me'.

I am prepared to consider all views posted - thanks so far.

OP posts:
madwomanintheattic · 10/03/2009 12:23

no idea about de-reging etc as i'd take advice on what was/ wasn't current at the time. what were the circs of the incident? was he still over the limit after a party the night before? bit harsh if that was the case. or did he drink a bottle of whisky at his desk at 9am and then head off for a meeting and get caught? in which case i'd be more concerned.
not condoning drink driving in any shape or form, but i think i'd need to know context before i threw him out.

oh, and i'm an lea governor lol. not enough info to make a sensible decision so far.