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.

Publication date: 20 December

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 9 to 10 December 2024, have found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against work-based learning practitioner, Nicholas Maguire.   

The Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a Work-Based Learning Practitioner at Inspire Training, Mr Maguire, in or around August 2022, acted in an inappropriate and/or unprofessional manner towards colleagues in that he said and/or called them:

• “f****t”, or words to that effect
• “psycho b***h”, or words to that effect

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Mr Maguire’s registration as a work-based learning practitioner, further education learning support worker and school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 10 December 2024 to 10 December 2026).

As such, Mr Maguire will be able to work as a:

• work based learning practitioner, who provides services for or on behalf of a work-based learning body other than as a volunteer
• further education learning support worker, in FE institutions in Wales;
• school learning support worker in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales.

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