A teacher in Wales has been struck off the professional teaching register after allegedly drinking alcohol during class. She was reportedly insulting students, and encouraging them to dance instead of completing their schoolwork. Alice Ashton, formerly employed at Ysgol Bro Caereinion in Welshpool, became the subject of a fitness-to-practice investigation after several disturbing incidents were reported during a health education lesson in January of last year.
According to multiple students who testified before the Education Workforce Council (EWC) hearing in Wales, Ashton’s behavior during the lesson was described. She was erratic, unprofessional, and at times aggressive. One student described her as “very, very lively” and noted a strong alcoholic smell coming from the orange liquid she was drinking out of a water bottle.
Students Say the Class Went Off the Rails
Typically described as a quiet and reserved teacher, Ashton allegedly shocked students when she cranked up music from her laptop and instructed the class to stop their work and dance the Macarena. The incident took place during a scheduled lesson on drug and alcohol awareness. One 16-year-old student told the panel that instead of delivering the usual dry lecture, Ashton suddenly switched the tone of the class, blaring music and calling students inappropriate names.
“She was swigging from a water bottle with an alcoholic smell,” the student recalled. “She was very animated, using her hands a lot, and seemed unlike her usual self. Then she asked us to do the Macarena and played loud music. We were not doing any work.”
Verbal Abuse and Physical Intimidation
In addition to her erratic behavior, Ashton allegedly hurled insults at students, calling them “little shits” and displaying rude gestures. One report stated that she placed her middle finger just inches from a student’s face during a confrontation. Witnesses described her as repeatedly jumping up from her desk and becoming increasingly irritated as the lesson progressed.
“She was very, very close to us,” she added. “There was a slight alcoholic smell. She was very, very lively and quite animated and speaking with her hands. In other lessons she was more reserved and quiet.” Another pupil claimed, “She got some students dancing to the laptop and speakers and it spiraled out of control. It wasn’t a lesson anymore.”
CCTV Footage and Witness Accounts Support Claims
CCTV footage captured from inside the classroom provided strong visual evidence to support the students’ claims. Presenting officer Lewis Harris stated during the hearing that it was “totally untenable” to argue the music was simply background noise. “The evidence is very clear that Miss Ashton did not remain at the front of the class,” Harris said. “She invited pupils to dance.”
The footage reportedly showed Ashton playing music loudly, moving around the classroom, and interacting with students in an unprofessional and unstructured manner. Multiple students who witnessed the event submitted consistent statements that reinforced the narrative of a class in disarray.
Recent Drunk Driving Conviction Comes to Light
The incident in the classroom occurred just four months after Ashton had been convicted of drunk driving. This prior offense raised further concerns during the disciplinary proceedings and highlighted a possible pattern of alcohol-related misconduct.
The nearly empty bottle of orange liquid in her possession during the lesson added weight to the suspicion that she was drinking alcohol in class. Her behavior, inconsistent with professional teaching standards, appeared to mirror the instability associated with substance misuse.
Teacher Denies Allegations But Offers No Defense
Ashton denied singing or swearing at students in her internal statement to the school but did not appear in person at the hearing. Furthermore, she failed to engage with the disciplinary process meaningfully. Other than sending an email stating that she had since moved to England and no longer worked in the teaching profession.
The EWC panel expressed disappointment in Ashton’s lack of cooperation and noted that she showed no remorse for her alleged actions. As a result, the panel ruled that she should be removed from the teaching register indefinitely. Although she may reapply after a two-year period.
Professional Standards and Public Trust
The case has sparked renewed discussion about professional conduct in educational settings and the responsibilities teachers hold in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment. Presenting officer Lewis Harris emphasized that educators are expected to uphold the highest standards of behavior. Especially when teaching sensitive topics such as drug and alcohol awareness.
“This was not a case of a simple lapse in judgment,” he said. “The actions displayed were sustained, deliberate, and deeply concerning.”
Community Reaction and School Response
Ysgol Bro Caereinion has not made a detailed public statement but is believed to have cooperated fully with the investigation. The school acted quickly once the incident was reported, removing Ashton from her post and launching an internal inquiry. Local parents and residents have expressed outrage, with many demanding stricter oversight of teacher conduct.
One parent commented, “I can’t believe something like this happened during a health class. These are children, and they deserve better.”
A Rather Disappointing Conclusion
Alice Ashton’s fall from grace paints a troubling picture of misconduct in the classroom. Her alleged actions, drinking on the job, insulting pupils, and turning a lesson into a dance party, undermined her professional role and eroded trust in her judgment. Although she has left the teaching profession for now, the outcome of the hearing will remain a stark reminder of the standards that educators are expected to uphold.
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