Teacher banned after vodka bottle found in bag

An art teacher has been banned from teaching in England after she was found to be under the influence of alcohol at school, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) says.

Susan Avizius, also known as Susan Elmore, was alleged to have brought alcohol to school, to have been under the influence of alcohol while at school or during work hours, and to have failed to disclose on her CV she was subject to ongoing TRA proceedings.

Witnesses at schools in Surrey and London said they found a can of espresso martini in a bin and an empty bottle of vodka in her classroom.

The TRA said: "The panel found that the conduct of Ms Avizius fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession."

The TRA found Avizius "guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute" and to have put one or more pupils at risk of harm.

The panel also found allegations of omitting a school from a job application and failing to disclose she was subject to ongoing TRA proceedings to be proven.

In March 2022, a witness said they were brought a water bottle from Avizius' classroom which they thought smelt like gin.

In December 2024 at another school, a witness said they went to the same bathroom that Avizius had used a number of times that evening and saw a pre-mixed can of espresso martini in the bin.

In the same month, another witness said they were brought a bag found in Avizius' classroom near her desk which contained her diary and an empty litre (1.75 pints) bottle of vodka.

Avizius can apply for the ban to be dropped from 9 February 2031.

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