A primary school teacher in Gloucestershire has been permanently banned from teaching after driving to work with a blood alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit.
The incident occurred on July 11, 2024, at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Tetbury, where 51-year-old Ngaio Trueman was employed. Staff and parents noticed Trueman arriving late and appearing unsteady on her feet. Standing on the school steps, she greeted children and parents but gave off a strong smell of alcohol and had glazed eyes.
When questioned inside the school office, Trueman denied being drunk, stating she had only possibly consumed wine the previous evening. However, she admitted to driving to work, with her car parked in the staff lot.
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Police were called and administered a breathalyser test, revealing that Trueman’s blood alcohol content was nearly four times over the legal driving limit. She was arrested on the spot.
At Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on July 30, 2024, Trueman pled guilty to driving while intoxicated. She received a community order that included a six-month alcohol treatment program and rehabilitation activities for up to ten days. Additionally, she was disqualified from driving for 30 months, with the possibility of an earlier return upon completing an approved course. Trueman was also fined £615.
In May 2026, the Teaching Regulation Agency’s professional conduct panel ruled that Trueman’s behavior constituted serious misconduct, significantly below the professional standards expected of educators. Her actions were deemed to have placed pupils at risk.
David Oatley, representing the Secretary of State, confirmed that Trueman was banned indefinitely from teaching. He noted that her lack of full remorse and insight into her actions posed an ongoing risk to student wellbeing.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust, which oversees St Mary’s Primary School, stated that Trueman is no longer employed by the school or the Trust. They affirmed that the matter was referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency and handled with utmost seriousness, prioritizing pupil and staff safety. The Trust declined further comment, respecting the statutory process followed.