A Cardiff secondary school worker made a sexual comment to her class about an 'older boyfriend', a misconduct panel has heard. Claire Townsend faces the possibility of being struck off over allegations about her behaviour while working as an unqualified teacher at Willows High in Tremorfa.
Pupil testimony about inappropriate comments
Earlier this week the Education Workforce Council (EWC) hearing was told Townsend had broken school safeguarding rules by sharing her personal phone number to join the group chat of some of her pupils on the social media platform WhatsApp. She is also alleged to have shared unnecessary details of her personal history in a sex education class.
On Wednesday there was evidence from a pupil about personal details allegedly shared by Townsend in class. 'She made a comment about having an older boyfriend,' said the pupil. 'It was related to having sex. I remember thinking, 'I don't know why she is telling me this.' I probably would have discussed it with my friends. It was not a big topic of conversation.'
'There was a rumour going round that she made a group chat with [another year]. Some people said it was true, others said it was gossip.'
WhatsApp group chat allegations
After headteacher Chris Norman was alerted by a parent to the WhatsApp chat, the school's safeguarding lead Michelle Mackintosh asked Townsend whether she was in it. She initially denied being a member of the group, then said a pupil had added her, and then became 'vague', according to Miss Mackintosh.
When a pupil messaged in the chat saying 'I touch myself', Townsend allegedly responded: 'I am here guys but honestly I'm not going to get offended by any of your messages, I know it's just banter etc... and to be honest [name redacted], someone has to do it! Have a good summer all. x'
On another occasion, 'very late at night' and during the summer holidays, Townsend allegedly wrote: 'I'm still here guys!! To be honest 80% of what you send I do not understand, I won't get offended so carry on doing what you're doing and I'll just watch!!!! x'
Background and previous concerns
Case presenter Lee Bridges said Townsend joined the school as a teaching assistant in 2009 before moving into an 'unqualified teacher' role in 2016. She was placed on a support plan in 2022 and the panel heard there were concerns about her inappropriately raising her voice at pupils in class.
In July 2024 she attended a meeting to discuss her progress with deputy headteacher Kelly Bubbins, who noted at the time that there had been 'some improvements' with Townsend's tone of voice towards pupils.
Alleged misuse of WhatsApp
It is alleged that five days later Townsend gave her number to a pupil so she could be added to the WhatsApp group. According to Townsend this was just so she could share a video from the school's 'genius hour' programme, which is aimed at empowering youths to 'make a positive change in society'.
Mr Bridges pointed out she was in the chat for around a month between July and August 2024. He argued the group 'had nothing at all to do with the sharing of the genius hour video'. Eventually a mother voiced concerns about the group to the school, which raised the matter with Townsend, who then removed herself, the panel heard.
Mr Bridges said screenshots showed Townsend had not been telling the truth when she claimed to have already left the group by the time of that conversation. In an interview Townsend admitted she knew from her safeguarding training that she was not permitted to be friends with pupils on social media, but she claimed she did not think WhatsApp was social media. Mr Bridges described this claim as 'incredible'.
Failure to report and other allegations
After seeing inappropriate messages from pupils in the chat, Townsend should have reported it to Mr Norman or Miss Mackintosh, the panel heard. It is also alleged the employee referred to pupils as 'lovely' or 'darling' while sanctioning them, as well as making unwarranted threats to give them demerits or send them to an alternate provision centre.
Townsend was neither present nor represented at the hearing, which will continue on Thursday.
