Name: Elizabeth Hart
Location: West Lothian
Affiliations: Head of Scottish Border Sabs
Before turning to sabbing around the Scottish borders, Elizabeth Hart used to be Headteacher of Field Courts Infants Academy in Quedgeley, from January 2005 to June 2014. Her time in pastoral care, however, is forever tainted by irregularities surrounding financial management of school funds.
Several years after Hart left Field Courts, GloucestershireLive and the Western Daily Press broke news to the public in March 2019 that Hart had spent over £18,000 on unnecessary school products during her time as headmistress.
In accordance with The Teachers' Disciplinary (England) Regulations Act 2012, a Professional Conduct Panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) convened between 8 and 10 October 2018, 9 and 11 January 2019, and again on 15 January 2019, to assess Hart’s alleged misconduct on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education and on the following grounds:
“[Hart] Was responsible for irregularities in the financial management of the school, in that she made purchases or payments using school funds which were unreasonable in that they were not solely for the benefit of the school and/or did not represent value for money for the school [including but not limited to spending £3,800 at independent stores/retailers; spending approximately £5,000 at supermarkets; making approximately 43 purchases at high end stores such as Marks & Spencer and Harvey Nichols; making approximately 95 purchases during school holidays; spending £225 at Apple iTunes between February 2012 and August 2013].
Failed to present receipts and/or invoices for approximately 320 transactions between January 2012 and January 2014.
Collected money within school for staff gifts purchased using the school's charge card but failed to reimburse school funds.
Her conduct at 1, 2 and 3 above lacked integrity and/or was dishonest.
Ms Hart did not admit the facts. The allegations were taken not to have been admitted.”
After investigation, the panel determined Hart to be guilty of unacceptable professional misconduct, ruling that Hart be prohibited from teaching indefinitely and working in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. Furthermore, the Panel’s decision maker decided that Ms Hart shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach, constituting a permanent ban.
Misconduct and consequent disillusionment has led to Hart’s prolific sabbing ventures. Now a disqualified teacher, Hart has more time on her plate to dedicate to being a public nuisance. Only in January 2023, a legal case was being brought against Hart and another sab compatriot for illegally trespassing land and refusing to leave in order to disrupt a legally sanctioned hunt. The first offence occurred at Cotfield Farm on February 2 2022, the second at the Philiphaugh Estate near Selkirk on February 26.
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