Teacher banned for over the limit drive to school

A primary school teacher who drove to work four times over the alcohol limit has been banned from teaching indefinitely.

Ngaio Trueman, 51, was employed at St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, when police were called to the school on 11 July 2024.

Trueman had arrived late and was reported to be unsteady on her feet, with a strong smell of alcohol on her breath and "glazed" eyes. A breathalyser test showed she was significantly over the legal limit.

She later pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court to driving while over the alcohol limit. She was given a community order, banned from driving for 30 months and fined £615.

The community order included a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.

A Teaching Regulation Agency professional conduct panel, which met in May 2026, found her actions amounted to "misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession".

David Oatley, on behalf of the Secretary of State, banned Trueman from teaching indefinitely.

"In my judgment, the lack of full insight and remorse means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils," he said.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust, which runs the school, said: "We take matters of professional conduct extremely seriously and acted promptly in line with all safeguarding and regulatory procedures.

"The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff is always our highest priority."

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