Teacher banned for failing to disclose conviction

A teacher who failed to tell her employer she had been convicted for drink driving has been banned from the profession.

Charlotte Gavin was assistant principal at Corby Business Academy when she was convicted for drink driving in September 2022.

She was convicted in January 2024 of being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the legal limit for drink. She failed to disclose the second conviction to a potential new employer, the Teaching Regulation Agency found.

Gavin can apply to overturn the ban after two years.

Gavin taught at Corby Business Academy from January 2019 until she resigned in October 2023.

She admitted to not telling the academy of her conviction in 2022 but claimed colleagues were aware of it because a screenshot of a news story about her conviction "was leaked to members of staff".

In written statements she said she regretted not telling her employer and said there had been issues in her personal life at the time.

After leaving the academy Gavin interviewed for a role at at Abbeyfield School in Northamptonshire and was offered the job on 10 December 2023.

She was charged with being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the drink drive limit on 17 December and convicted in January 2024.

The regulator said Gavin told her potential new employer of the first offence prior to being offered the job but failed to disclose the second when it happened.

The employment offer was withdrawn after a third party told the school of the second offence.

The panel noted that the convictions did not affect Gavin's ability to do her job and did not expose pupils to any harm.

However, it said her actions could have a negative impact on the public's perception of the profession.

Gavin told the panel in a written statement she had "left the teaching profession" entirely.

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