Isle of Wight teacher Johanna McKay has been banned from teaching for at least 5 years after being found to turn up for work drunk and falsely claiming that she had leukaemia in order to cover up her boozy antics.
A National College for Teaching & Leadership conduct panel has recently heard that Ms McKay, at the time a Year 5 teacher at the paid-for Ryde Junior School, attended work under the influence of alcohol in 2005 and again in 2012, as well as presenting herself in a distressed and drunken state to parents.
Shockingly, the ICT and drama teacher told bosses that she was suffering from leukaemia when she was not and then 11 days later claimed that she was also suffering from ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy). McKay, who joined the proceedings last month via Skype, said that her only medication ailments were that she was suffering from extreme stress and inflammation of the upper gut.
As well as turning up to work drunk, the panel heard that the 54-year-old was convicted of drink driving in 2005 and again in 2009, receiving driving bans totalling over 5 years. On both occasions she was at least twice the drink-drive limit.
In June 2012 the management team at Ryde School sent Johanna home and suspended her from work as she was deemed unfit to teach. A year later her employment was terminated.
Despite denying the allegations that she was guilty, the NCTL panel was satisfied that it had been found proven that Ms McKay was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. Her misconduct was said to be of a serious nature, falling significantly short of the standards expected of a teacher.
When considering banning McKay from teaching, Alan Meyrick, decision maker on behalf of the Secretary of State said:
“In weighing all of these matters I have been mindful of the purpose of a prohibition order which includes the protection of pupils; maintenance of public confidence in the profession and the declaration and upholding of proper standards of conduct. I consider that in this case a prohibition order is proportionate, having weighed the interests of the public against those of Ms McKay.”
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Ms Johanna McKay is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. She may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until 7th March 2022.
