A PRIMARY school teacher who attacked three colleagues in a drunken rage at a nightclub has been disciplined by the General Teaching Council.

Andrea Hopkins is said to have got drunk and rowed with other female teachers before launching the assault during a night out in Baa Bars in Station Road East, Canterbury.

The disciplinary committee heard how Hopkins:

* Punched one in the face on the dance floor.

* Threw another into a toilet cubicle wall.

* Knocked a third unconscious after dragging her to the floor by her hair, and kicking her in the ribs, during which she banged her head against a sink basin.

All three victims, Natalie Hamlin, Tina O’Shaughnessy and Kara Reeves, needed hospital treatment for their injuries.

The assaults resulted in Hopkins, who was teaching at Aylesham Primary School, near Canterbury, at the time of the incident, receiving a police caution and the disciplinary proceedings being taken against her.

The GTC committee heard how a row started between Hopkins and Ms Hamlin which led to Ms Hamlin being punched in the face.

Two colleagues went to her aid as she nursed her injury in the toilet but Hopkins followed them and the row continued.

As Ms O’Shaughnessy intervened she was grabbed by the hair and thrown against a cubicle wall before being dragged to the ground.

Ms Reeves stepped in but was then herself attacked, pulled to the ground and kicked.

The GTC panel was told that Hopkins had already resigned from her job at the time of the incident in December 2004, because of problems in her personal life and was due to leave the school two days later.

She submitted a statement to the hearing saying she did not remember the incident and the assaults were out of character.

Ms Reeves, who still teaches at the school, told the committee: “Andrea was in on every round. She was drinking quite a bit.

“When I hit my head, I was out for quite a while. As well as concussion, I suffered deep bruises to my hips and ribs.”

The committee also read a statement from Ms O’Shaughnessy, who has since left Aylesham primary. She received a one-inch cut and bruises to her face. Ms Hamlin, who still teaches at Aylesham, suffered a bruised face.

Presenting officer for the GTC, Andrew Faux, said: “I accept the incident was completely out of character on Ms Hopkins' part. She seems to have drunk too much alcohol while receiving medical treatment and taking anti-depressants. There were some unpleasant things going on in her private life.”

GTC committee chairman Angela Stones said the committee was satisfied Hopkins’ behaviour amounted to unacceptable professional misconduct and brought the reputation and standing of the teaching profession into serious disrepute.

She said a reprimand was appropriate and imposed a disciplinary order. Hopkins has not since worked at a KCC school.

After the hearing head teacher at Aylesham primary, Gerry D’Cruz, said: “It was a difficult episode at the time but it was nearly two years ago and we are just glad it is now all over.”