An "exemplary" and “exceptionally successful” teacher passed out at school after drinking vodka. Danielle Fleming, former director of expressive arts learning at Maesteg School, was so intoxicated when she should have been overseeing a GCSE exam that she was "incoherent" and had to be taken to the deputy head's office, a professional standards hearing was told. .
Fleming fell asleep with vomit on her clothes and in a nearby bin, the Education Workforce Council Wales panel heard. She had "a real disregard to the outcomes" of pupils taking the practical textile exam she was responsible for and left a bag containing vodka in the classroom where it was being held.
Head teacher Helen Jones described how she found Fleming smelling "overwhelmingly" of alcohol, "slumped", and incoherent in the deputy head teacher's office on May 4, 2023 . Three members of staff had taken her there around 8.30am – an hour after the teacher had clocked in that day. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
It was clear that Fleming, a class teacher and middle leader responsible for seven staff and the school's expressive arts curriculum, was intoxicated, Mrs Jones told the panel. When assistant head Kate Hopkins-Sparkes was sent to retrieve Fleming's bags from the classroom they included a Waitrose carrier bag with what appeared to be a bottle of vodka about one-third full.
They were not certain whether Fleming, who had driven to school that morning, had arrived intoxicated or drank on the premises, Mrs Jones said. Fleming had had some periods of time off unwell between December 2022 and March 14, 2023, but had returned to work after wellbeing interventions and a risk assessment.
Describing the state she found the teacher in on May 4, 2023, Mrs Jones told Tuesday's hearing: "I saw Danielle Fleming slumped over the desk asleep. When she woke up I could not understand her when she spoke.
"There was a very strong smell of vomit – overwhelming. Danielle Fleming smelled of alcohol and I was convinced she was intoxicated."
Fleming, who came to Maesteg School as a supply teacher in 2007 and was taken on permanently in 2009, became head of the faculty of expressive arts in 2021. Attending the virtual hearing she was tearful at times.
She listened as Mrs Jones described her in glowing terms as an "exceptionally well-regarded" member of staff. She was well-loved by students and staff and was caring and empathetic, the head said.
"She was exceptional," Mrs Jones told the panel. "You very rarely come across teachers of the calibre of Danielle Fleming – she trained others, is caring, and can discipline the toughest of children. She is exemplary."
But the head teacher said she believed the former art teacher had unfounded "imposter syndrome" after being promoted to director of the faculty of expressive arts in 2021. Fleming had complained of some members of staff being negative about the new curriculum and had taken some absence but had wellbeing help and support managing colleagues, Mrs Jones told the panel.
Mrs Jones admitted the teacher let down pupils taking their GCSE textile exam that day. Asked what effect her actions had had on candidates the head teacher said they all did well eventually but that was thanks to other teachers getting materials Fleming had not.
Fleming , whose responsibility it was to provide materials and oversee the practical exam in her classroom that morning, had shown "a real disregard to the academic outcomes of these pupils who would have put so much trust in their teacher," Mrs Jones said. The case would have "significant connotations for the school community".
Representing Fleming Nasuwt union representative Nadine Jenkins told the panel the teacher apologised for her actions and accepted they constituted unacceptable professional conduct. She said Fleming, who did not speak at the hearing, admitted allegations of going to work under the influence of alcohol and/or drinking alcohol on the school premises on May 4, 2023, and being convicted of drink-driving on February 26, 2024.
Mrs Jenkins said the teacher’s conduct “was not voluntary behaviour” but was owing to repercussions from poor health over a “very difficult time”. She described Fleming as “a teacher going through a very difficult time”. This had led her to “misuse alcohol” at the time but she is now “in recovery”, added Mrs Jenkins. “Mrs Fleming takes full responsibility for her actions but in mitigation for her poor health and lack of understanding from her employers,” Mrs Jenkins told the hearing.
Maesteg School assistant head Mrs Hopkins-Sparkes, who line-managed Fleming, told the panel she was asked to sit with the teacher in the deputy head’s office on May 4, 2023, while they waited for her husband to take her home. She described the teacher as being apparently asleep with her head tilted back and mouth open with vomit on her clothes.
Asked to retrieve Fleming’s bags from under the desk in her classroom the assistant head found one brown bag and a Waitrose bag with what appeared to be a clear bottle containing clear liquid which may or may not have been vodka. Questioned by the panel Mrs Hopkins-Sparkes said the start of the exam “wasn’t smooth” for pupils and some had started late because there were “issues” with locating materials for it. But she described Fleming as a “visionary” and “compassionate” teacher who brought in fruit for her classes and ran a marathon in aid of Wales Air Ambulance after a pupil at the school died.
Fleming faces the following allegations, all of which her representative said said she admits:
That:
The facts above amount to unacceptable professional conduct either individually and/or together and that:
The hearing continues. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news. You will receive updates from us daily.
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