Attleborough Academy science teacher handed two year ban for drinking in lesson

An Attleborough science teacher was often “really drunk” during lessons and would vape in the school toilets, a panel has heard.

A professional conduct panel heard how Dr Zara Merali was constantly sipping from her bottle, smelling of alcohol and slurring her words whilst teaching students at Attleborough Academy.

The 51-year-old had joined the school in 2019 –just two months after being kicked out of another Norfolk school after similar concerns were raised.

The Teaching Regulation Agency heard how she would often be seen grasping onto her table as she taught, whilst avoiding eye contact and keeping her distance from other staff.

Other times she would leave students unattended for up to 10 minutes, and admitted to vaping in the classroom and the school toilets.

Dr Merali – who did not attend her panel hearing – had insisted that her behaviour was a result of the painkillers she was on.

However, a medical report shown to the panel concluded that “slurred speech, impaired co-ordination, lack of sense of appropriate behaviour and a smell of alcohol are not symptoms.”

Last month, she was banned from teaching for two years – at which point she will have to provide evidence that she has addressed her alcohol problem.

The panel said: “The conduct of Dr Merali amounted to misconduct of a serious nature which fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession. The panel found that being intoxicated whilst being responsible for children in a professional capacity was a serious breach of the standards expected of a teacher, in particular the Health and Safety and Wellbeing of Pupils.”

Dr Merali began teaching at Attleborough Academy on May 9, 2019, two months after her placement at Acle Academy, in Broadland, was termantated after concerns were raised about her behaviour. She had been on the books with agency Step Teachers Ltd during this time.

During the hearing last month, the panel also concluded that she had been drinking during her time teaching at Acle as well.