Publication date: 28 June 2024

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting in private, remotely on 17 June 2024, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker, Charlotte Ann Farrell.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven that on 25 July 2022, a child in Ms Farrell’s care was left unaccompanied and, as a result, Ms Farrell  accepted a caution for an offence contrary to section 1(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Ms Farrell’s registration as a school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 17 June 2024 to 17 June 2026). As such, Ms Farrell will be able to work as a registered person (school learning support worker) in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales for the period of the Reprimand.

Ms Farrell has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.

Publication date: 12 June 2024

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 3, 4 and 5 June 2024, has found allegations of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker, Allison Davies.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a Teaching Assistant at St Joseph’s Cathedral Primacy School, Mrs Davies:

1. on 17 February 2022, during a morning telephone call with Colleague 3, did not tell her that she was in possession of a phone when asked if she knew anything about it.
2. during a later telephone call on 17 February 2022, informed Colleague 3 that:
   1. she had found the mobile phone that day when this was not the case
   2. Colleague 1 had assisted her in finding the mobile phone when this was not the case.

Having made these findings, the Committee also determined that Mrs Davies’ conduct was dishonest.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Mrs Davies’ registration as a school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 5 June 2024 to 5 June 2026). As such, Mrs Davies will be able to work as a registered person (school learning support worker) in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales for the period of the Reprimand.

Mrs Davies has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.

Publication date: 4 June 2024

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 May 2024, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school teacher, Katie Walsh.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a School Teacher and Foundation Phase Lead at Raglan Primary School, Mrs Walsh:

1. between approximately 2018 and 2021, displayed behaviour towards one or more colleagues, including Colleague A and Colleague B that was:
   1. intimidating
   2. undermining
   3. derogatory
   4. bullying in nature
2. in or around October 2020, stated, in respect of Pupil B, and within earshot of a class of Y4 children, that Pupil B was behaving “like a bit of a t***” or words to that effect
3. on one or more occasions between approximately 2017 and 2021, behaved in a rude and/or aggressive and/or patronising manner towards colleagues including:
   1. in or around 2017 or 2018, when speaking to Colleague F in front of her class
   2. between April and May 2020, during telephone conversations and/or in person discussions with Colleague D
   3. on 22 November 2021, during a meeting with Colleague E.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mrs Walsh from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school teacher. It also decided Mrs Walsh may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Mrs Walsh not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 24 May 2026, she will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Mrs Walsh has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.

Publication date: 4 June 2024

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 21, 22 and 23 May 2024, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school teacher, Richard Coombs.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that Mr Coombs:

1. between June 2021 and March 2022, acted in an inappropriate manner and/or used excessive force towards Person A, in that on more than one occasion he:
   1. grabbed Person A’s arm(s) and/or wrist(s)
   2. threw and/or pushed Person A
   3. held and/or grabbed Person A’s throat and/or neck
   4. pushed and/or squeezed Person A on the side of the head
   5. slapped Person A on the face and/or nose
   6. pinned and/or held Person A to the floor
2. in or around August 2021, sent Person A a text message that said “I wish I punched you so you never woke up”
3. between September 2021 and January 2022, sent text message(s) that were racist and/or offensive in nature

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr Coombs from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school teacher. It also decided Mr Coombs should not have the opportunity to apply for restoration of his eligibility to register until after a period of three years has elapsed. Should Mr Coombs not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 23 May 2027, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Mr Coombs has a right of appeal to the King’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days.