Publication date: 10 June 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 19 May 2025 and 28 May 2025, have found allegations of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ and ‘a relevant offence’ proved against further education teacher and school learning support worker, Sophie Cahill.   

The Committee found the following allegations proven, that:

1. on or around 6 September 2024, Miss Cahill applied for registration with the Education Workforce Council as a Further Education Teacher and indicated in the declarations section that she did not have any convictions, when this was incorrect
2. on 2 November 2023, Miss Cahill was convicted at Newport Magistrates Court for the offence of failing to provide a specimen for analysis (driving or attempting to drive) on 1 November 2023, contrary to s.7(6) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. As a consequence, Miss Cahill was sentenced on 17 November 2023 to a 14-month driving disqualification and fined £200
3. on 17 November 2023, Miss Cahill was convicted at Newport Magistrates Court for the offence of failing to provide a specimen for analysis (driving or attempting to drive) on 31 October 2023, contrary to s.7(6) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. As a consequence, Miss Cahill was sentenced to a 14-month driving disqualification and fined £200

Having made these findings, the Committee also decided Miss Cahill’s proven conduct at paragraph 1 lacked integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Miss Cahill’s registration as a further education teacher and school learning support worker for a period of two years (from 28 May 2025 to 28 May 2027).

As such, Miss Cahill will be able to work as a:

• further education teacher who provides specific services in or for a further education institution in Wales
• school learning support worker in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales

for the period of the Reprimand.

Miss Cahill has a right of appeal to High Court within 28 days.  

Publication date: 30 May 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 19, 20, 22, 23 and 27 May 2025, has found an allegation unacceptable professional conduct proved against school teacher Luke Probert.

The Committee found proven two counts of failing to report safeguarding issues.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Suspension Order (without conditions) on Mr Probert’s registration as a school teacher for a period of 1 year (from 27 May 2025 to 27 May 2026). As such, Mr Probert 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 Order.

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

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:

1. on or around 23 October 2023, in relation to Pupil A:
   1. hissed in and/or near their face
   2. made a hand gesture in and/or near their face
2. in relation to her conduct at paragraph 1, recorded this incident on her mobile phone
3. 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
4. in respect of her conduct at paragraph 2 and 3:
   1. the video was shared on social media
   2. knew or reasonably ought to have known that there was risk that this the video could be shared on social media
   3. 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.

Publication date: 14 May 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 8 May 2025, has found an allegation a relevant offence proved against school learning support worker, Richard Evan Davies.

The Committee found that Mr Davies:

On 6 October 2023, was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

As a consequence of the offence was sentenced to:

• a suspended sentence order – imprisonment of 15 months, suspended for 18 months
• an alcohol abstinence requirement
• a rehabilitation activity requirement
• 90 days of an electronic tagging residence requirement.

Having made this finding, the Committee decided that the conduct amounted to a relevant offence.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Suspension Order (without conditions) on Mr Davies’ registration as a school learning support worker for a period of 18 months (from 8 May 2025 to 8 November 2026). As such, Mr Davies, 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 Davies has a right of appeal to High Court within 28 days.