A TEACHER has avoided being banned from her profession despite being caught drinking while at school.

A disciplinary panel heard that Clare Goulding, who taught at Aldermaston Church of England Primary School, had worked while intoxicated. A report described how on one occasion, she had also left a mug containing alcohol on a pupil's desk.

In February 2021, a member of staff reported their concerns over Ms Goulding to the school.

She was found on the school's premises with a bottle, which was taken off her and tested.

Ms Goulding initially denied drinking on the job - but laboratory results subsequently revealed that the bottle contained alcohol.

At the time, she was employed as a class teacher and deputy safeguarding lead at the school.

No disciplinary action was taken at first, and Ms Goulding was instead offered support with her drinking.

But the disciplinary panel, on behalf the secretary of state for education, heard that the woman was caught with alcohol again only a few months later.

This time, a mug containing alcohol was found on a pupil's desk in her classroom.

It was determined that Ms Goulding had been drinking from the mug while in a meeting with the school's leadership, and had then gone to teach while under the influence of alcohol.

The case went before a disciplinary panel last May.

Although all allegations against Ms Goulding were found to be proven, inspectors declined to ban her from teaching.

The panellists noted that Ms Goulding had described her own actions as "reckless and incomprehensible," and demonstrated considerable remorse.

She said: "I am devastated that my actions have forced me into this situation, yet I have, and will continue to, make amends for my mistakes."