Pulished: 3 April 2024

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 18, 19 and 20 March 2024, has found an allegation of unacceptable professional conduct proved against school learning support worker and further education teacher, Adrian Ferguson.

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

1. between April 2020 and 4 November 2020, in respect of Cardiff West Community High School (“the School”):
   1. ticked “no” on his application form when asked if he had any convictions including matters that were pending and had not been disposed of at the time of writing, when at that time a police investigation against him was ongoing;
   2. provided an individual as a reference and did not disclose to the School that he was also a suspect in the police investigation against him;
   3. did not inform senior management at the School of the ongoing police investigation against him until 4 November 2020.
2. on 27 April 2020, submitted a Cardiff Council application form for the post of Science Teacher at Cardiff West Community High School. When completing the “Higher Education and Training” section, he incorrectly stated that he had completed one or more of the following courses:
   1. An “Ma History” from “Newport University Caerleon Campus”, between 20 September 2003 and 18 May 2007; and
   2. A “Ba hons History” from “Newport University Caerleon Campus”, between 20 September 2003 and 18 May 2007; and
   3. An “Ed PGCE” in “Secondary Physical Education with QTS – PGCE”, from “Newport University Caerleon Campus”, between 20 September 2003 and 18 May 2007.
3. on 16 August 2021, submitted an application form to South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Trust for a position as a Cover Supervisor at The Forest High School. When completing the “Qualifications” section, incorrectly stated that he had completed one or more of the following courses:
   1. PGCE in “Education Secondary” from “Newport Caerleon” on the approximate date of 14 September 2008; and
   2. MA in History from “Newport Caerleon” on the approximate date of 14 September 2008; and
   3. BA (Hons) in History from “Newport Caerleon” on the approximate date of 7 September 2007.
4. in respect of his application at allegation 3 for a position at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, did not include Cardiff West Community High School in his application as a previous employer.
5. in respect of his application at allegation 3, he submitted to South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Trust a copy of the outcome letter from a previous employer’s disciplinary process, which he had amended and which he knew had been amended:
   1. to change “first written warning” to “verbal warning”; and
   2. to remove five paragraphs of the Disciplinary Panel’s findings.
6. between April 2020 and May 2023, incorrectly stated that he had qualified teacher status (QTS) when this was not correct, and he did not make clear that he did not hold QTS:
   1. in his application at allegation 2; and
   2. during his employment with Cardiff West Community High School; and
   3. in communication with the Education Workforce Council on or around 24 January 2020 and 12 May 2023.
7. in his application(s) to register with the Education Workforce Council dated 22 January 2020, 23 January 2020 and 24 January 2020, when completing the “Qualification(s)” section, he incorrectly stated that he had completed one or more of these courses:
   1. Master of Science (MSc) in History, awarded in 2008 from the University of Wales College, Newport;
   2. BA (Hons) with intercalated PGCE in Academic Studies in Education, awarded in 2008 from the University of Wales College, Newport;
   3. Bachelor of Science (BSc) QTS in History, awarded in 2007 from the University of Wales College, Newport; and
   4. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Further Education), awarded in 2008 from the University of Wales College, Newport.
8. between January 2020 and May 2023, submitted one or more of the following certificates to the Education Workforce Council, which he knew, or reasonably ought to have known, were not genuine:
   1. On 24 January 2020, a certificate purporting to be from the University of Wales, Newport, dated September 2008, granting a Postgraduate Certificate in Education; and
   2. On 24 January 2020, a certificate purporting to be from the University of Wales, Newport, dated 14 September 2007, relating to a Bachelor of Science in History; and
   3. On 20 December 2021 and 12 May 2023, a certificate purporting to be from the Department of Education, confirming that he had achieved qualified teacher status (QTS) on 17 September 2008; and
   4. On 20 December 2021, a certificate purporting to be from Edexcel, dated August 2014, relating to “Education Assessors (QCF)” at Western College.

Having made these findings, the Committee determined that Mr Ferguson’s conduct at paragraphs 1 to 8 above (other than 1(b)) was misleading and dishonest.

The Committee also determined that Mr Ferguson’s conduct at paragraphs 1 to 8 above demonstrated a lack of integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr Ferguson from the Register of Education Practitioners in the categories of school learning support worker and further education teacher. It also decided Mr Ferguson may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 5 years has elapsed. Should Mr Ferguson not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 20 March 2029, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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