The Prime Minister and the education secretary have acknowledged the scandal of a woman who smuggled drugs into prison being allowed to teach children.
The Prime Minister and education secretary have responded to a shocking case of a woman who smuggled drugs into prisons, yet was still allowed to teach children.
An investigation by journalist Suzanne Antelme uncovered that Laura Horton, a convicted drug smuggler, was teaching kids while working for Remedicare, an alternative education provider based in Wokingham.
Horton, 40, from Aldershot, was sentenced to over two years for supplying the Class B drug Spice to inmates across the UK. Despite being charged in October 2024 and pleading guilty in May of this year, she was listed as a director at Remedicare when it was established in June 2023.
During a recent visit to St Anne's Catholic Primary in Caversham, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the case, stating: “It's obviously a terrible situation. They’re no longer involved in education, but we’re implementing tighter safeguards to prevent this from happening in the future.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added that they are collaborating with Ofsted to investigate Remedicare.
Since Remedicare is classified as an unregistered alternative provision, it previously avoided regulation and inspections. However, discussions are underway to tighten regulations for such settings.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently moving through Parliament, aims to enhance child safeguarding for schools, alternative provisions, and home schooling. It is expected to receive Royal Assent soon.
This visit coincided with the Labour government announcing the expansion of its Free Breakfast Clubs initiative.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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