Publication date: 10 February 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 27 and 28 January 2025, has found allegations of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker, Alex Gater.

The Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed by New Directions Ltd working as a Teaching Assistant at St Cenydd Comprehensive School Mr Gater:

• on or around 19 July 2023, made contact with Child A’s face, knocking him to the floor. The committee found the contact to be a disproportionate, inappropriate, and excessive response to Child A’s behaviour.

The committee also found that on or around 14 September 2023, Mr Gater agreed to a Police Community Resolution Order for common assault in respect of the incident described above.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Suspension Order (with conditions) on Mr Gater’s registration as a school learning support worker for a period of 6 months (from 28 January 2025 to 28 July 2025), provided that he meets the conditions specified within this timeframe.

As such, Mr Gater will not be able to work as a school learning support worker in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales for the period of the order.

Mr Gater has a right of appeal to High Court within 28 days.