A teacher with responsibility for vulnerable pupils at a Powys school was seen drinking alcohol while on duty, a disciplinary hearing has heard.
Penelope Haddon was suspected of drinking white wine from a water bottle at Llandrindod Wells Church in Wales Primary School last May.
Two witnesses said she smelled of alcohol. Miss Haddon denies claims she was under the influence of alcohol.
A General Teaching Council for Wales panel is considering its verdict.
Andrea Burton, a student on placement from Coleg Powys, said: “She was quite stumbly, walking around the class.”
Miss Burton told the panel how Miss Haddon smelled of alcohol, as did the empty bottle which she later recovered from the classroom bin.
She said: “I was concerned for the children.”
“They were particularly vulnerable children she was looking after on those days”
Huw Roberts Presenting the case
Senior teacher Janice Baynham said she also smelled alcohol on Miss Haddon’s breath, and was aware that she had had worries about the health of her parents at that time.
The hearing was told that deputy headteacher Colin Williams had tasted residue from the bottle and believed it to be white wine.
Huw Roberts, presenting the case, said the serious allegations had been backed up by “consistent and compelling witnesses”.
“She had children in her care and they were particularly vulnerable children she was looking after on those days. It doesn’t bear thinking about what could have happened.”
Miss Haddon, who is no longer working at the school, was not present at the hearing and denies allegations that she was under the influence of alcohol at work and had brought and consumed alcohol on school premises.
The disciplinary panel has retired to consider whether the allegations are true and whether to reprimand, suspend or prohibit Miss Haddon from teaching.
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