Teacher who used crystal meth at the weekends avoids classroom ban

BARRING HIM FROM JOB 'NOT IN PUBLIC INTEREST'

- By ZENA HAWLEY

A FORMER primary school assistant head who used crystal meth at weekends has escaped a ban from teaching.

Nicholas Smith demonstrated “significant insight and remorse” and also received positive support from members of the teaching profession, according to a newly published report.

A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel heard that Mr Smith was working at Southwark Primary School in Basford when he admitted taking the drug crystal methamphetamine in July 2021.

In an email to a colleague, he said: “I want to be clear that I have never used the substance on site.

“I have also never used the substance on a term-time weeknight. This has been a weekend problem.”

Following a number of risk assessments, and an action plan being drawn up, it was agreed that Mr Smith could return to work, subject to regular monitoring and drug testing.

Mr Smith provided negative drug tests during the period that the monitoring was taking place.

On January 31, 2022, Mr Smith did not arrive at work and rang to say he was too unwell to attend and that he had relapsed over the weekend.

This resulted in a disciplinary hearing but he was again allowed to return to work with risk assessments and drug testing in place.