Publication date: 5 March 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely 3 March 2026, has found allegations of a ‘relevant offence’ proved against school learning support worker, Miss Sophie Thomas.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegation proven, that Miss Thomas:

1. on 29 November 2024, was convicted of unlawful wounding on 4 November 2023, contrary to section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. As a consequence of this offence, on 29 November 2024, Miss Thomas was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 150 hours unpaid work requirement work and a Compensation Order of £1,000

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Miss Thomas’ registration as a school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 3 March 2026 to 3 March 2028). As such, Miss Thomas 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 Thomas has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.

Publication date: 26 February 2026

Andrew William Edwards – 12 February 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 9, 10, 11 and 12 February 2026, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against work-based learning practitioner, school learning support worker and further education teacher, Andrew Edwards.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a work-based learning practitioner at ACT Training Limited, Mr Edwards:

1. In or around 2022 to January 2023:
   1. having accessed a photo of Learner 1 on Facebook, made an inappropriate comment relating to the photo and threatened to display the photo to the rest of the class
   2. did not communicate with learners respectfully
   3. was confrontational to learners
2. Between October 2023 and February 2024, did not communicate appropriately with one or more learner(s), in that he
   1. was argumentative with one or more learner(s)
   2. did not respond appropriately to challenging behaviour from learners
   3. was insensitive and/or impatient with learners’ concerns or personal difficulties
   4. expressed frustration when learners did not understand his explanations and instructions
   5. shouted at learners when this was not justified
   6. stared at learners
   7. said to Learner 2 that he did not believe that she could do anything and that he had no confidence in her
   8. called Learner 3 a “dickhead” or words to that effect
3. His conduct as set out at paragraph 2(a) to 2(h) occurred:
   1. when he had been warned about his communication towards learners
   2. when he had received training and support to address his communication towards learners
   3. while he was subject to a final written warning for his conduct as set out in paragraph 1(a) to (c) above
4. By acting as set out at paragraph 1(a) to (c) and/or 2(a) to 2(h) above, he did not take sufficient steps to create a learning environment in which learners felt respected and encouraged and supported.
5. In or around 2023 and/or January 2024, he did not communicate appropriately with Colleague A, in that he:
   1. was confrontational and argumentative with her
   2. pushed her hand away when she was trying to help him with a task on the laptop
   3. said “Don’t you dare touch my screen” when she was trying to help him with a task on the laptop
   4. referred to the size of her breasts

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr Edwards from the Register of Education Practitioners in the categories of work-based learning practitioner, school learning support worker and further education teacher. It also decided Mr Edwards may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of three years has elapsed. Should Mr Edwards not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 12 February 2029, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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

Publication date: 23 February

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 11 to 12 February 2026, have found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker, Kathryn Ann Burke.      

The Committee found that whilst employed as a Special Support Officer and Cover Supervisor at Llangewydd Junior School, on or around 24 August 2023, Mrs Burke:

• was made subject of an out of court disposal by South Wales Police in relation to taking items from a retail premises on 2 separate occasions
• failed to disclose the out of court disposal to the school

The committee found that the proven conduct was dishonest and lacking in integrity.  

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Mrs Burke’s registration as a school learning support worker, for a period of 2 years (from 12 February 2026 to 12 February 2028).

As such, Mrs Burke 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 Burke has a right of appeal to High Court within 28 days. 

Publication date: 11 February 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 27 and 28 January 2026, has found allegations of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ and ‘a relevant offence’ proved against school teacher, Mr Llyr James.

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

1. on 8 October 2024, was convicted at Carmarthenshire Magistrates’ Court of an offence of Battery on 9 March 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. As a consequence of this offence, on 25 October 2024, Mr James was sentenced to a community order with an unpaid work requirement and rehabilitation activity requirement
2. did not inform the Education Workforce Council that on 8 October 2024, he had been convicted of the offence of Battery

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr James from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school teacher. It also decided Mr James may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Mr James not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 28 January 2028, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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