Teacher Banned Indefinitely After Drunk Incidents at Two Schools
A teacher has been barred from the classroom indefinitely after being found under the influence of alcohol on multiple occasions, including during a school open evening and while teaching duties were underway. Julia Leith, 60, faced severe disciplinary action following incidents that raised significant safeguarding concerns.
First Incident at Judgemeadow Community College
In September 2017, at Judgemeadow Community College in Leicester, Ms. Leith attended an open evening while visibly intoxicated. Witnesses described her as "erratic, irrational, emotional, and confused". A staff member reported at 6:30 PM that she was "disorientated and slurring her speech", with another noting she did not recognize colleagues and showed clear signs of drinking.
Given her inability to communicate effectively, it was decided she could not participate in the event, which was attended by pupils and parents. When arranging transport home, Ms. Leith could only provide her own mobile number and was "unable to tell" where her bag was. She was escorted out through the back of the college to avoid the open evening.
In her witness statement, Ms. Leith offered conflicting accounts, initially claiming anxiety over an observation class led her to have "a couple of sips" of gin and tonic at home. However, in oral evidence, she stated she was "tee total" at the time and would "never drink alcohol in a school".
Second Incident at Robert Smyth Academy
In December 2018, while working as a supply teacher at Robert Smyth Academy in Market Harborough, Ms. Leith was again found under the influence of alcohol. A staff member was informed at 1:30 PM that she appeared drunk, seen swaying in corridors, appearing "emotional" and "slurring", with a smell of alcohol noted.
The TRA report detailed that she hugged a witness after opening an office door. When her instability was mentioned, she blamed it on wearing heels, despite wearing flat shoes. Ms. Leith claimed the alcohol smell came from mouthwash kept at work but admitted to drinking wine to "problematic levels" during evenings.
Panel Findings and Ban
A panel for the Teaching Regulation Agency concluded that Ms. Leith's conduct was inappropriate and unprofessional, emphasizing the risk she posed while on school premises after consuming alcohol. The panel noted that while no direct harm to pupils occurred, potential harm was high had colleagues not intervened.
"The panel considered that a teacher under the influence of alcohol whilst on school property was a significant safeguarding concern," the TRA found. "The high risk of repetition paired with the potential risk of harm were aggravating factors."
As a result, Ms. Leith has been prohibited from teaching indefinitely. She cannot work in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation, or children's home. An application to remove this order cannot be made for at least two years, underscoring the severity of the misconduct.
