Publication date: 30 January 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 21 – 23 January 2025, has found allegations of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ and a ‘relevant offence’ proved against school teacher, Danielle Louise Fleming.  

The Committee found the following allegations proven, that:

1. whilst employed as a Director of Learning at Maesteg Comprehensive School, Mrs Fleming, on 4 May 2023, attended the workplace and was under the influence of alcohol and/or consumed alcohol whilst on school premises.

2. on 26 February 2024, Mrs Fleming was convicted of driving a motor vehicle, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in her breath, namely 108 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit, contrary to section 5 (1) (a) Road Traffic Act 1988.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Suspension Order (with conditions) on Mrs Fleming’s registration as a school teacher for a period of 4 months, which specifies conditions upon her registration.

This Order is effective immediately. The conditions will only become effective should Mrs Fleming re-register with the EWC.

As such, Mrs Fleming will not be able to work as a school teacher in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales for the period of the suspension.

Mrs Fleming has a right of appeal to High Court within 28 days.  

Publication date: 23 January

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely 19-21 December 2024 and 21 January 2025, has found allegations of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker, Rhys Hitchmough.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a Teaching Assistant at Ysgol Bodhyfryd School, Mr Hitchmough on or around 12 May 2022, kissed Pupil A, a male pupil, on or around the chin.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Mr Hitchmough’s registration as a school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 21 January 2025 to 21 January 2027). As such, Mr Hitchmough 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.

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

Publication date: 20 January 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 14 and 15 January 2025, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school teacher, Mrs Rhian Williams.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a Chemistry Teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin School, Mrs Williams, on 9 May 2023, attended the school, consumed alcohol and began teaching a class whilst under the influence of alcohol.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mrs Williams from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school teacher. It also decided Mrs Williams may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Mrs Williams not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 15 January 2027, she will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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

Publication date: 16 January 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 7, 8 and 9 January 2025, has found allegations of unacceptable professional conduct proved against school learning support worker, Victoria Price.  

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst working as a higher-level teaching assistant at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Gilfach Fargoed, Mrs Price:

1. between 11 – 12 January 2021:
   1. spat at Person A
   2. proceeded to bite Person A
   3. pulled Person A’s hair
   4. kicked and/or stamped on Person A
   5. kicked and/or scratched Person A’s car
   6. did not follow Welsh Government guidance in respect of Covid-19, in that she did not follow social distancing guidance and/or travelled outside of her local area without reasonable excuse.

As a result of the conduct at points b and d above, Mrs Price caused injuries to Person A.

2. agreed to a Police Community Resolution in respect of her conduct on 11 January 2021, which was a crime recorded as ‘Assault / Criminal Damage’.
3. subsequently did not inform the Head Teacher of the following:
   1. the incident which occurred on 11 January 2021, until raised by the Headteacher
   2. the fact she had sustained facial injuries, in circumstances where she was due to log on to a virtual lesson
   3. that she had physically injured Person A, and/or caused damage to Person A’s car
   4. that she was subject to a Police investigation.

The committee found that the facts of allegations 3a – d demonstrated a lack of integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mrs Price from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school learning support worker. It also decided Mrs Price may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Mrs Price not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 9 January 2027, she will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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