Teacher avoids sanction over drink-driving offences

A teacher at a private school in Derbyshire has avoided sanction by a disciplinary panel after receiving two drink-driving convictions.

A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) professional conduct panel heard Martin Jones, 45, who worked as the director of hockey and sports development at Repton School, was convicted of drink-driving in 2005 and 2019.

The TRA considered a prohibition order - which permanently bans an individual from carrying out teaching work in schools - but decided against it as the panel were "satisfied he is able to make a valuable contribution to the profession".

The BBC understands Jones is no longer employed at the school.

The first offence occurred on 13 June 2005, when Jones was found to have 70 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - twice the legal limit, the TRA heard.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £440, disqualified from driving for 20 months - reduced to 15 on completion of a rehabilitation course. His driving licence was also endorsed.

Jones told the panel he had been drinking but agreed to collect a friend who could not get home. He was stopped by police before reaching them and later expressed "deep regret" for his actions.

The second offence took place in March 2019, when Jones again drove over the legal limit, this time recording 78 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the TRA said.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £710 and disqualified from driving for 20 months.

The panel heard he had been at a pub and decided to move his car, which was blocking an exit, before driving a short distance. He also drove on to a school site while still over the limit.

Jones said he reported the incident to a senior colleague within 24 hours and later sought support, including working with a life coach. He told the panel he had "totally learned" from the incident and had not driven after drinking since.

The TRA decision maker, David Oakley, on behalf of the secretary of state for education, said: "The panel did not consider the convictions were relevant to teaching, working with children and/or working in an education setting, nor that they would be likely to affect public confidence in the teaching profession if Mr Jones were allowed to continue teaching.

"However, the panel did consider that the convictions were contrary to the standard of personal and professional conduct expected of teachers and would be likely to have an impact on the safety or security of pupils or members of the public."

He added "there was some public interest consideration" in retaining Jones in the profession, since it was "satisfied he is able to make a valuable contribution" to the profession and "had in fact done so in the past".

Oakley also noted two character references supporting Jones, as well as remorse for his actions.

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