Publication date: 25 September 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 23 September 2025, has found allegations of ‘relevant offences’ proved against school learning support worker, Bethan Picton.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that Miss Picton:

1. On 26 September 2023, was convicted of:
   1. dDriving a motor vehicle on 14 April 2023 with the proportion of a specific controlled drug B (Benzoylecgonine) above the specified limit. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced to disqualification from driving for 12 months and fined £250
   2. driving a motor vehicle on 14 April 2023 with the proportion of a specified controlled drug (Cocaine) above the specified limit. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced to disqualification from driving for 12 months
2. On 20 September 2024, Miss Picton was convicted of:
   1. possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply (Class A – LSD) between 20 September 2022 to 28 April 2023. As a consequence, on 18 October 2024, Miss Picton was sentenced to imprisonment of 3 years (concurrent) and forfeiture and destruction of exhibits
   2. possessing a controlled drug (Class B – Cannabis/Cannabis resin) on 27 April 2023. As a consequence, on 18 October 2024, Miss Picton was sentenced to forfeiture and destruction of exhibits, no separate penalty
   3. being concerned in supplying a controlled drug (Class A - Other) between 18 September 2022 and 28 April 2023. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced on 18 October 2024 to forfeiture and destruction of exhibits and imprisonment of 3 years (concurrent)
   4. possessing controlled drugs (Class A – MDMA) on 27 April 2023. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced on 18 October 2024 to forfeiture and destruction of exhibits and imprisonment of 1 month (concurrent)
   5. being concerned in supplying controlled drugs (Class A – Cocaine) between 18 September 2022 and 28 April 2023. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced on 18 October 2024 to forfeiture and destruction of exhibits and imprisonment of 3 years
   6. possessing a controlled drug (Class A – Cocaine) on 27 April 2023. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced on 18 October 2024 to forfeiture and destruction of exhibits and imprisonment of 1 month (concurrent)
   7. being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug (Class B – Cannabis) between 18 September 2022 and 28 April 2023. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced on 18 October 2024 to forfeiture and destruction of exhibits and imprisonment of 9 months (concurrent)
   8. possessing a controlled drug (Class A – LSD) on 27 April 2023. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced on 18 October 2024 to forfeiture and destruction of exhibits and imprisonment of 1 month (concurrent)

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Miss Picton from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school learning support worker. It also decided Miss Picton may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Miss Picton not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 23 September 2027, she will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Miss Picton has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.

Publication date: 25 September 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 16 and 17 September 2025, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against further education teacher and work-based learning practitioner, Arthur Thomas.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a lecturer at Gower College, Swansea, Mr Thomas, grabbed a learner by the hand or wrist and used inappropriate language in the presence of learners.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Mr Thomas’s registration as a further education teacher and work-based learning practitioner for a period of two years (from 17 September 2025 to 17 September 2027). As such, Mr Thomas will be able to work as a registered person (further education teacher) who provides specific services in or for a further education institution in Wales and (work-based learning practitioner) who provides services for or on behalf of a work-based learning body (other than as a volunteer) in Wales, for the period of the Reprimand.

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

Publication date: 17 September 2025

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 9 to 11 September 2025, have found an allegation of unacceptable professional conduct proved against school learning support worker, Rebecca Tucknott.     

The Committee found that whilst employed as a supply teaching assistant by Educate Group working at Ysgol Alexandra School, Mrs Tucknott pinched pupil A.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Mrs Tucknott’s registration as a school learning support worker, for a period of 2 years (from 11 September 2025 to 11 September 2027).

As such, Mrs Tucknott will be able to work as a school learning support worker in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales during the period of the Reprimand.

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

Publication date: 28 July

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely 17 June and 22 July 2025, has found allegations of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ and ‘relevant offences’ proved against school learning support worker, Amy Warhurst.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, Miss Warhurst:

1. On 29 March 2010, was convicted at Manchester City Crown Court of the following offences:
   1. conspiracy to defraud on 12 October 2007 to 6 March 2009, contrary to Common Law, for which she was sentenced on 2 August 2010 to imprisonment of 45 weeks
   2. conspiracy to defraud on 5 August 2008 to 29 October 2008, contrary to Common Law, for which she was sentenced on 2 August 2010 to imprisonment of 45 weeks (concurrent)
   3. conspiracy to defraud on 3 December 2008 to 2 April 2009, contrary to Common Law, for which she was sentenced on 2 August 2010 to an imprisonment of 45 weeks (concurrent)
2. On 18 January 2017, was convicted at Conwy Magistrates’ Court of the following offence:
   1. theft (Shoplifting) on 31 August 2016 contrary to section 1 of the Theft Act 1968, for which she was sentenced to a fine of £80
3. On 23 May 2017, was convicted at Gwynedd Magistrates’ Court of the following offence:
   1. theft (Shoplifting) on 6 April 2017 contrary to section 1 of the Theft Act 1968, for which she was sentenced to a fine of £80
4. On 10 February 2020, was convicted at North Central Wales Magistrates’ Court of the following offence: 
   1. driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol on 24 January 2020 contrary to section 5(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, for which she was sentenced to a fine of £150 and disqualified from driving for an obligatory 12 months
5. On or around the 20 May 2024, applied to the Education Workforce Council to register in the category of school learning support worker and indicated in the declarations section that she did not have any convictions, when this was incorrect.

Having made these findings, the Committee determined that Miss Warhurst’s conduct at paragraph 5 above was dishonest and demonstrated a lack of integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Miss Warhurst’s registration as a school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 22 July 2025 to 22 July 2027). As such, Miss Warhurst 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.

Miss Warhurst has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.