Teacher Ashley Atkin banned after arriving drunk at assembly

Ashley Atkin, a 38-year-old Year One teacher at Horn's Mill Primary School in Cheshire, has been banned from teaching after arriving at a school assembly under the influence of alcohol. Witnesses described her as 'dazed and staggering,' and noted a strong smell of alcohol emanating from her. On October 20, 2023, Atkin struggled to lead her class and was unable to present a student award, prompting concern from colleagues who reported her unsteady behavior. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) found that she had consumed a bottle and a glass of wine earlier that day and highlighted her previous driving ban for being over the legal limit. Following the incident, Atkin resigned from her position before the investigation concluded. The TRA panel determined her conduct brought the teaching profession into disrepute, leading to an indefinite ban from teaching in any educational setting in England.