Parents hit out after headteacher hid her drink-drive convictions
SHOCKED FAMILIES DEFEND SCHOOL WHERE SHE WORKED
PARENTS have spoken out after it was revealed that a headteacher attempted to hide drink-driving arrests from her employer.
Sally Stafford, 46, is the former head of Dalestorth Primary School in Sutton in Ashfield, where she had reportedly also been seen drinking in her office before a school disco, and failed to attend a school trip due to her drinking.
These incidents were set out before a professional conduct panel in November. It was explained how Ms Stafford was arrested for drink-driving on May 9, 2019, and later on August 30, 2019, after which she received a sixmonth driving ban and a £969 fine and was ordered to pay £300 costs.
The head was then arrested on December 11, 2019, for drink-driving and driving while disqualified, which resulted in a suspended sentence and an alcohol treatment order.
The professional conduct panel heard Ms Stafford admit that she had not told an appeal hearing in 2020 about these offences, a hearing which reinstated her following a dismissal in November 2019 after staff raised concerns about her drinking.
One witness said that Ms Stafford had been drinking in her office before the school’s Easter disco, before joining the disco, drinking two glasses of wine and then driving home.
Ms Stafford denied an allegation that she failed to attend a school trip due to her drinking and lying about a course she was due to attend being cancelled.
However, Ms Stafford did tell the conduct panel that on one occasion, in May 2019, she had consumed alcohol before attending the school, but was not drunk.
Families in the area have mixed views on the situation, but many are shocked over the incidents and say that the behaviour is not what they would expect from a headteacher.
Carer Ellen Clarkson, 58, said that she found out about the incidents earlier in the morning.
Ellen said: “She did teach my two boys and she was brilliant and got them up to speed.
“What she has done, it isn’t right, but it’s always been a good school.
“My youngest grandson is still there and it’s always been a brilliant school.
“My kids went there and my ex-husband and his brothers and sister went there. One of my lads is in a wheelchair and they always looked after him there.”
Charity director Rob Goody, 38, said: “That’s shocking. I’ve done assemblies and stuff in that school as I work for a Christian charity. “I know they had ‘outstanding’ from Ofsted last time. It’s a school that I would send my child to.” Speaking about Ms Stafford’s actions, he added: “That’s definitely not right.” Delivery driver Glenn Davies, 50, explained that his children attended another school, but he was still disappointed.
He said: “We expect teachers to be honest, don’t we?” When asked if it was surprising, he said: “Yeah, it is, to be fair.” Dad Andy Nash, 41, said: “Yeah it’s concerning, but she wasn’t there when our kids were. It’s a very good school.” Andy added that the new headteacher has been doing “a great job”. Following the hearing, the panel decided to make a prohibition order, banning Ms Stafford from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England for two years. She will then be able to apply for this to be removed, but without a successful application she will not be allowed to teach again.
What she has done, it isn’t right, but it’s always been a good school
Ellen Clarkson