Headteacher who drove to primary school after taking drugs escapes classroom ban

Headteacher who drove to primary school after taking drugs escapes classroom ban Amanda Rogers was suspended from work following her arrest A primary school headteacher has escaped a classroom ban despite being caught driving under the influence of cannabis on the way to work. Amanda Rogers was suspended from her role after being arrested by police as she travelled to work. She later appeared in court and admitted a drugs offence. A Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) report found that if Mrs Rogers had not been arrested, she would have had "interactions with pupils" while high on cannabis. The TRA panel decided not to ban the shamed head from future teaching, saying she had "learned important lessons". The report added: "Ms Rogers gave evidence in an open and straightforward way. She took full responsibility for her actions and did not seek to downplay their seriousness... "There was clear of evidence of regret, remorse and insight. Ms Rogers fully understood that her actions were wrong and accepted full responsibility for them. "It was clear she had learned from these events, which had clearly had a severe impact upon her and, in Ms Rogers’ words, caused a very sad end to a career she had loved for nearly 30 years." Mrs Rogers had been employed as headteacher at South Stoke Primary School in Wallingford, near Reading, Berks., since 2004. She was arrested on November 22 2024 on suspicion of driving while under the influence of cannabis. After being suspended from work, she appeared in court last January and entered a guilty plea. Reading Magistrates' Court sentenced her to a £269 fine and she was also banned from driving for a year. A TRA misconduct hearing took place last month and the decision has now been published today. The hearing was told Mrs Rogers' "unblemished record" as a teacher should count in her favour. It also heard she had been experiencing a "particularly pressured period" at school in the run up to the offence. The panel stated Mrs Rogers is not currently teaching but could "make a positive contribution" if she chose to return to the profession in the future.