Lois Bennett – 7 May 2025
Publication date: 14 May 2025
A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 6 and 7 May 2025, has found allegations of unacceptable professional conduct proved against school learning support worker, Lois Bennett.
The Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a Learning Support Assistant by Ysgol y Graig Community Primary School, Miss Bennett:
- on or around 23 October 2023, in relation to Pupil A:
- hissed in and/or near their face
- made a hand gesture in and/or near their face
- in relation to her conduct at paragraph 1, recorded this incident on her mobile phone
- in relation to her conduct at paragraph 2, shared this recording and/or video of Pupil A with at least one person who was not employed by the school
- in respect of her conduct at paragraph 2 and 3:
- the video was shared on social media
- knew or reasonably ought to have known that there was risk that this the video could be shared on social media
- breached the School’s Social Media Policy
The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Suspension Order (with conditions) on Miss Bennett’s registration as a school learning support worker for a period of 12 months (from 7 May 2025 to 7 May 2026), provided that she meets the conditions specified within this timeframe.
As such, Miss Bennett 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.
Miss Bennett has a right of appeal to High Court within 28 days.