Publication date: 17 July 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 7 and 8 July 2026, has found an allegation of ‘a relevant offence’ and ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker, Mr Andrew James.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that Mr James, whilst employed at Caerau Primary School (‘the School’):

1. on 4 March 2025, was convicted of sexual assault on a female, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. As a consequence of this offence, on 25 March 2025, he was sentenced to a Community Order with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and required to register with the police in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for five years
   1. did not inform the School of the following when he was obliged to do so by the terms of his employment, and his employer's policies, that:
   2. on 19 December 2024, he was charged by the Police for the offence referred to in paragraph 1
2. on 4 March 2025, he was convicted of the offence referred to in paragraph 1
3. did not inform the Education Workforce Council that on 4 March 2025, he had been convicted of the offence referred to in paragraph 1

Having made these findings in relation to allegation 2 and 3, the Committee also determined that Mr James’ conduct was dishonest and lacked integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr James from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school learning support worker. It also decided Mr James may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 3 years and 9 months has elapsed. Should Mr James not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 8 April 2030, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Mr James has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.

Publication date: 9 July 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting in person on 29 June to 3 July 2026, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against further education learning support worker and school learning support worker, Simon Cornish.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a Technician at Coleg Gwent, Mr Cornish did not consistently follow reasonable management instructions, as follows:

1. to keep workshops free from unwanted large material
2. to recycle offcuts of wood, so these could be stored continuously in order to be applied for other uses
3. to use equipment in accordance with training he had been given
4. not to use equipment until he had been given the necessary training

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Mr Cornish’s registration as a further education learning support worker and school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 3 July 2026 to 3 July 2028). As such, Mr Cornish will be able to work as a registered person (further education learning support worker) who provides specific services in or for a further education institution in Wales for the period of the Reprimand. He will also 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.

Mr Cornish has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.

Publication date: 1 July 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 17 June 2026, has found an allegation of ‘a relevant offence’ proved against school learning support worker and independent school learning support worker, Jessica Hughes.

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

1. on 11 October 2024, Miss Hughes was convicted at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court of driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit on 20 September 2024, contrary to section 5(1)(a) and Schedule 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. As a consequence of this offence, Miss Hughes was fined £120, and disqualified from driving for 18 months
2. on 9 June 2025, Miss Hughes was convicted at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court of:
   1. assault by beating of an emergency worker on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100
   2. assault by beating of an emergency worker on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100
   3. assault by beating of an emergency worker on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100
   4. assault by beating of an emergency worker on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100
   5. assault a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £300
   6. assault a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £500
3. on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was convicted at Cardiff Magistrates Court of Assault by Beating on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Miss Hughes’ registration as a school learning support worker and independent school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 17 June 2026 to 17 June 2028). As such, Miss Hughes will be able to work as a registered person (school learning support worker and independent school learning support worker) who provides specific services in or for a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales for the period of the Reprimand.

Miss Hughes has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.

Publication date: 25 June 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 8-11 June 2026, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker and further education teacher, Mrs Victoria Forward.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that Mrs Forward, whilst employed at the Bridge Assessment Centre:

1. on or about 27 April 2022, completed the Centre’s attendance register for the afternoon session stating that Pupil A and Pupil B were present in class when they were not
2. on or about 28 April 2022, told the Centre Manager that Pupil A and Pupil B had both been present in the afternoon session on 27 April 2022 when they had not
3. on or about 8 September 2023, sent Pupil C home from the Centre:
   1. without notifying their parent or carer
   2. without notifying the Senior Leadership Team

Having made these findings, the Committee also determined that Mrs Forward’s conduct was dishonest and lacked integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mrs Forward from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school learning support worker and further education teacher. It also decided Mrs Forward may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Mrs Forward not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 11 June 2028, she will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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