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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Pan · 10/03/2009 19:21

Icant - you must be really bored to go round muck-raking over this. You have no connection with the school but thought it still worthwhile to post on the interweb about it, presumably seeking support for....what? Climbing the pointy-finger high ground?
This bloke may have 'issues'. Neither him or the children at the school will be benfitting from your request from a pitch fork gang. He has others to answer to. Not an MN gang jury.

Original poster

Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 19:22

Lady - I still do consider it my concern - why else do you think a Board of governors is made up of teachers, parents, community and LEA representatives. I do have vested interest in wh happens in my comnunity especially concerning a school with a troubled few years that my DC's may have to go to.

On a matter of principle - I do not think it is correct for a Headteacher to be paid using tax payers money to underperform (if this is the case pending current invesitgation) or be drunk in charge of a car during school hours.

I have been away and done further research and read regulatory role of GTC ( sorry not NTC) on their website.

Lady - power of suggestion - was polite way of say be constructive or just say you disagree without being rude.

Happy posting!

OP posts:

TheFallenMadonna · 10/03/2009 19:27

You are being slightly weird about this, with the GTC research and all. Being drnk in school hours would be pretty bad. Wait and see if that's what it actually is though, eh?

Original poster

Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 19:28

Twins this rings bells!

Pan - How can you say I have no connection with the school? I live in the community and my DC's are due to go there - FGS read the posts.

Anyway even if this were not the case - it would be interesting just from a matter of principle.

And there are plenty people in our community concerned about. The fact is has been sounded out on here does not add up to a pitch fork jury - or am I missing something have some MN gone off and found out where I live and lie in wait to picket the school gates OR maybe marching to Downing Street as we type!

OP posts:

Pan · 10/03/2009 19:33

I have read the posts. Go and do something pleasant, eh?

twinsetandpearls · 10/03/2009 19:37

Our school has a total ban on drinking during working hours or at any time while on the school premises. You cannot drink while representing the school either so if on a trip or on a course. If you did you would be sacked on the spot. It would prevent any problems from over enthusiastic waiters.

I would feel uncomfortable working for a HT with a drink driving conviction, young people should be able to look up to their teachers and especially headteachers.

twinsetandpearls · 10/03/2009 19:40

Icantbelieve it will not be the same headteacher that I am referring to as I am sure she is now retired. But there was a programme about her on ITV a few years ago.

Original poster

Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 20:22

No it is not the same one Twins

OP posts:

Original poster

Icantbelieveitparent · 10/03/2009 21:01

Thank you to all poster who have submitted their views.

OP posts:

clam · 10/03/2009 21:13

Anyone else thinking "troll" here? I don't accept that, because your DCs may become pupils in due course, that it justifies your poking about looking for people to back you up in a witchhunt. IF this Headteacher (of whichever sex) is guilty and requires sacking, then rest assured the appropriate authorities will deal with it. They don't need your help. Unless you're trawling for opinions for some other reason? Media?

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 10/03/2009 21:23

Clam, how can you be so suspicious. The OP is clearly a public-spirited individual who feels that the massed weight and authority of the school's board of governors, the local authority and the GTC are not enough to deal with this matter unassisted, and therefore she is selflessly only trying to help for the sake of the community. For the sake of us all. Because, after all, all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

bigcometobedeyes · 10/03/2009 21:45

I have googled this see for yourself clam

Salme101 · 10/03/2009 22:01

Perhaps not an issue for you to get directly involved in, but YANBU to wonder about it. But I suppose I am biased, as none of my close relatives have ever died from someone double parking, looking at another man, or even from picking up money in the street

"It only takes two drinks to be over the limit". Indeed. Don't bloody have a drink if you're driving, then.

islandofsodor · 10/03/2009 22:01

I used to live near to that school. Working in a school in that area would prbably drive me to drink!

Seriously, it is not up to aprents to witch-hunt, rather than the governors to decided whether gross misconduct has taken place.

The conviction was so ling ago ai can't see that it is about this, it must be something else.

duchesse · 10/03/2009 22:14

I don't know- would you expect a cabinet minister or a vicar or a banker to be sacked for drink-driving? I'd say this poor chap has an alcohol problem if he is tanked up during the day- do you not think losing his job would just heaping misfortune on someone who actually needs medical treatment?

madwomanintheattic · 10/03/2009 22:37

it wasn't at work or during the day then - if i trawled through the millions of drink driving headteachers that came up on the google search and picked the right one.
a year's ban and £350 legal costs. currently suspended from school (presumably whilst the governing body (who were entirely happy with her performance over the last year) and appropriate authorities make their long term decision.) deputy head steps up in the interim.

that's good enough for me. not even the slightest urge to get my pitchfork out. seems entirely under control and as it should be. legal has done legal job, ed are about to do ed job. just another day at the office.

twinsetandpearls · 10/03/2009 22:39

If the headteacher is tanked up during the day he cant be doing his job properly. He or she will need support but not at the cost of the education of the children in his care. Kids just get one chance at each school day and deserve it to be a quality experience.

Are we talking Birmingham?

islandofsodor · 10/03/2009 22:50

I'm guessing Walsall as the dates fit in.

bigcometobedeyes · 10/03/2009 22:53

Birmingham is the most recent one that came up on my search but i was shocked to discover how many things came up related to this topic. It seems it is being dealt with.

twinsetandpearls · 10/03/2009 23:12

yes I was shocked as well bigcome.

ladymariner · 10/03/2009 23:38

My 21-year old friend got hit by a drunk driver and had to have both legs amputated just below the knee.

Don't know if the Head in question was drunk, but if he was he should have his bloody hands cut off to stop him ever inflicting the suffering on any other family the suffering that's been inflicted on my friend and his. As should any drunken driver.

As somebody said earlier,
"It only takes two drinks to be over the limit". Indeed. Don't bloody have a drink if you're driving, then.

ScottishMummy · 11/03/2009 20:00

LM oh that is dreadful,how harrowing for everyone.

Ronaldinhio · 11/03/2009 20:08

YABU

If they were punished and given some form of reeducation then there is no reason to lose their job over it.

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