The Education Workforce Council Wales (EWC) has taken disciplinary action against numerous school and college staff between January and July 2026, with cases ranging from drug dealing and sexual assault to altering attendance records and making inappropriate comments. Sanctions include prohibition orders, suspensions, and reprimands, effectively barring individuals from working in maintained education settings in Wales.
Victoria Forward: Falsifying attendance and sending pupil home unsupervised
Learning support worker and further education teacher Victoria Forward was struck off after recording pupils as present when they were absent and sending a pupil home without notifying a parent or carer. An EWC fitness to practise committee sitting from June 8 to June 11, 2026, found unacceptable professional conduct proven. The panel concluded that Forward's conduct was dishonest and lacked integrity, imposing a prohibition order indefinitely removing her from the register. She may not apply for restoration before June 11, 2028.
Eleri Haf Parry: Changing absence records to present
Learning support worker Eleri Haf Parry was suspended for two years after altering school attendance records to show pupils as present when they were absent. The EWC panel, sitting from June 9 to June 11, 2026, found her conduct misleading, dishonest, and lacking in integrity. Parry received a suspension order from June 11, 2026, to June 11, 2028.
Joan Morgan: Inserting finger into pupil's mouth and pulling by the arm
School support worker Joan Morgan was banned indefinitely after inserting her finger(s) into a pupil's mouth and pulling the child by the arm at Ysgol Llwyn Yr Eos in Aberystwyth. The EWC panel, sitting in March and May 2026, found the allegation proven and imposed a prohibition order. Morgan cannot apply for restoration before May 21, 2028.
Simon Cornish: Failing to follow management instructions
Coleg Gwent technician Simon Cornish received a reprimand for not consistently following reasonable management instructions, including failing to keep workshops free of unwanted material and using equipment without training. The reprimand is recorded for two years until July 3, 2028.
Jessica Hughes: Drink-driving and assaulting emergency workers
School learning support worker Jessica Hughes was convicted of drink-driving and four counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker, as well as two counts of actual bodily harm. The EWC imposed a reprimand for two years from June 17, 2026.
Lee-Ann Thomas: Grabbing and shaking a colleague
Teaching assistant Lee-Ann Thomas was reprimanded for grabbing and holding a colleague by the right arm, shaking it, digging her fingers into it, and shouting at the colleague. The reprimand lasts until May 20, 2028.
Geraint Lloyd: Sexually inappropriate comments to colleague
Further education worker Geraint Lloyd was struck off indefinitely after telling a colleague, “this desk is good to bend someone over,” and making other inappropriate comments. The EWC panel found his conduct sexual in nature and imposed a prohibition order. He cannot apply for restoration for five years (until April 30, 2031).
Janine Brill: Headteacher bypassed procurement rules
Headteacher Janine Brill was struck off for allowing Goetre Primary School to enter into contracts for classroom equipment without proper tendering or governor approval. The EWC panel found she lacked integrity and imposed a prohibition order with no reapplication for three years (until May 20, 2029).
Andrew Jones: Falsifying learner progress forms
Work-based learning practitioner Andrew Jones was reprimanded for encouraging a learner to complete a Welsh Government progress form without the employer's knowledge. The reprimand lasts until May 13, 2028.
Richard Paterson: Death threats and intimidating behaviour
School teacher Richard Paterson was reprimanded after making intimidating and threatening comments, leading to a community resolution for sending a communication threatening death. The reprimand lasts from April 23, 2026, to April 23, 2028.
Kellie Kabza: Lying about van damage and sending pupils home alone
Family liaison officer Kellie Kabza was suspended for 17 months after scraping a school van and lying about it, sending two young pupils home unsupervised, and failing to follow safeguarding arrangements. The EWC panel found dishonesty and lack of integrity.
Mark David Warren: Inaccurate observation reports
Work-based learning practitioner Mark David Warren was reprimanded for completing observation reports containing inaccurate information about students digging up plants. The reprimand lasts from April 16, 2026, to April 16, 2028.
Rebecca Williams: Negative comments about students' clothes and weight
Further education teacher Rebecca Williams was struck off for making negative comments about a student's clothes, weight, and other inappropriate remarks, including telling a student not to get pregnant over Christmas. The EWC imposed a prohibition order with no reapplication for three years (until March 18, 2029).
Cerian Williams: Yanking a shy pupil into classroom
Teaching assistant Cerian Williams was suspended for 12 months after grabbing and dragging a hesitant pupil into the classroom. The EWC panel found the use of force unnecessary and excessive.
Hayley Austin: Drug supply convictions and false declaration
School learning support worker Hayley Austin was reprimanded after failing to disclose historic convictions for supplying amphetamine when applying for EWC registration. The reprimand lasts from March 19, 2026, to March 19, 2028.
Bethan Davies: False declaration on registration
School learning support worker Bethan Davies was suspended for six months after falsely declaring she had no convictions on her EWC registration application. The suspension runs from March 10, 2026, to September 10, 2026.
Phillip John Deacon: Allowing pupils to amend exam work before moderation
Secondary school teacher Phillip John Deacon was struck off for providing grades to the exam board before all work was completed and allowing pupils to amend work before moderation. He received a prohibition order and cannot reapply for two years (until March 2, 2028).
Polly Frazer: Unprofessional comments as headteacher
Headteacher Polly Frazer was struck off for inappropriate and unprofessional comments and behaviour while at Goetre Primary School. She received a prohibition order with no reapplication for five years (until February 17, 2031).
Sophie Thomas: Conviction for unlawful wounding
School learning support worker Sophie Thomas was reprimanded after being convicted of unlawful wounding and sentenced to six months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months. The reprimand lasts from March 3, 2026, to March 3, 2028.
Andrew William Edwards: Calling student a “d***head” and inappropriate comments
Work-based learning practitioner Andrew William Edwards was struck off for calling a student a “d***head,” referring to the size of a colleague's breasts, shouting, and being confrontational. He received a prohibition order with no reapplication for three years (until February 12, 2029).
Kathryn Ann Burke: Failure to disclose out-of-court disposal for theft
School learning support worker Kathryn Ann Burke was reprimanded for failing to tell her employer she had received an out-of-court disposal for shoplifting. The reprimand lasts from February 12, 2026, to February 12, 2028.
Llyr James: Battery conviction and failure to inform EWC
School teacher Llyr James was struck off after being convicted of battery and failing to inform the EWC. He received a prohibition order with no reapplication for two years (until January 28, 2028).
Christopher William Davies: Sexual messages to students
College teacher Christopher William Davies was struck off for sending sexual messages to students, including calling them “sweet cheeks” and “good girl,” and expressing fear of being discovered. He received a prohibition order with no reapplication for two years (until January 22, 2028).
Andrew James: Sexual assault conviction and failure to inform employer
Classroom support worker Andrew James was struck off for failing to inform his school about his arrest and conviction for sexual assault. He was sentenced to sign the Sex Offender Register for five years. The EWC imposed a prohibition order with no reapplication for three years and nine months.
