The Hurst School assistant head barred from teaching in drink-drive crash scandal

A SCHOOL boss fled the scene after injuring a sleeping couple by crashing into their ground floor bedroom.

When police later interviewed him, and after he failed an alcohol breath test, David Zell claimed he had been drinking at home following the incident.

Nevertheless, the terrifying incident resulted in the former assistant headteacher being barred from the profession by a disciplinary tribunal.

Thirty-seven-year-old Zell was employed at The Hurst School in Baughurst, the Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA)’s teacher misconduct panel stated in a ruling published on Monday, March 17.

The panel heard that, on March 17, 2022, he drove a vehicle into the side of a home, demolishing a ground floor bedroom wall where two people were asleep, causing them to suffer minor injuries.

He then fled the scene but later called police to say he had apparently “blacked out”.

When he subsequently failed a breath test Zell initially claimed he was not drink-driving but had consumed alcohol at home.

Nevertheless he pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to stop after an accident.

Responding to a school investigation into the incident, Zell stated: “It is, of course, not good.

“I acknowledge and accept my actions and the consequences that I face.

“I have never done anything like this previously and it had not impacted my ability to carry out my duties, especially within the work environment.

“I now realise how serious it is; it has seriously harmed my career as a teacher, possibly irretrievably, and this is a matter of deep regret and distress.

“I am also very conscious of the reputational damage to the school and this is also a matter of profound regret and sorrow to me.”

In its ruling, the panel stated: “The panel concluded that there was some evidence of limited remorse on Mr Zell’s part.

“However, Mr Zell’s limited engagement with the proceedings did not assist with evidence of insight.

“In the panel’s view, Mr Zell had not shown sufficient insight or an objective understanding of the nature and gravity of his misconduct.

“Mr Zell did not appear to have acknowledged the significant damage he caused to the residential property, the injuries sustained by the two residents or the fact that the damage could have been much worse.”

The TRA banned Zell from teaching for at least five years.

Once that period has elapsed, he must apply to have the ban removed.