Hearing outcomes

If a fitness to practise committee imposes a disciplinary order on the registration of an education practitioner, a notice will appear here. The notice will remain for a period of 6 months from the day it is published.

The Education Workforce Council, as constituted under the Education (Wales) Act 2014, as amended, hereby gives notice that in accordance with its Disciplinary Procedures and Rules 2023 , Rule 31, a disciplinary order has been imposed on the registration of the following.

Michael Millership - 27 March 2024

Danielle Hamnett - 22 March 2024

Adrian Ferguson - 20 March 2024

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Ceri Ann Ridge - 13 March 2024

Chinwe Obi - 6 March 2024

Shon Prebble - 29 February 2024

Kate Morris - 23 February 2024

Teresa Annette Scutt - 22 February 2024

Michael Gumm - 7 February 2024

Isaac Harrison - 1 February 2024

Michael Walsh - 24 January 2024

Amy Jane Cunniffe - 16 January 2024

Nicola Demmer-Evans - 13 December 2023

Doina Nagy - 24 November 2023

Vivian Alan Bush - 28 November 2023

Published: 12 December 2023

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council, sitting remotely on 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28 November 2023, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against work-based learning practitioner, Vivian Alan BUSH.
The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as an Assessor at Connective Care Education, Mr Bush:

On the following date(s), uploaded evidence to learner portfolio(s) on SMART Assessor when he knew or should have known, or reasonably ought to have known, that the evidence was not entirely the learner’s own work:
1. In relation to Learner 1:
  1. On 10 July 2019, in relation to Unit 345; and
  2. 20 February 2019, in relation to Unit 346; and
  3. 20 February 2019, in relation to Unit 392; and
2. On 17 September 2019, in relation to Learner 2; and
3. On 25 February 2019, in relation to Learner 3; and
4. On 1 November 2018, in relation to Learner 4; and
5. On 25 April 2019, in relation to Learner 5; and
6. On 16 May 2019, in relation to Learner 7; and
7. On 2 December 2018, in relation to Learner 8.
On the following date(s), provided feedback to one or more learner(s) when he knew or should have known, or reasonably ought to have known, that the evidence was not entirely the learner’s own work:
1. In relation to Learner 1:
  1. On 10 July 2019, in relation to Unit 345; and
  2. On 27 February 2019, in relation to Unit 346; and
  3. On 27 February 2019, in relation to Unit 392; and
  4. On 17 September 2019, in relation to Learner 2.
On 31 January 2020, emailed Essential Skills controlled tasks, Assessor Marking Guides, and the passcodes to access these, to a person who was not entitled to receive these documents.
On 22 January 2020, during a Controlled Task, allowed Learner 5 and Learner 6 to see and/or copy Learner 18’s completed assessment pack.
On an unknown date, during a Controlled Task, provided Learner 23 with a completed assessment pack.
On unknown dates between November 2018 and September 2019, modified the work of one or more of the following learners and uploaded it to their SMART Assessor portfolios, without identifying the assistance you had given:
1. Learner 3;
2. Learner 2;
3. Learner 4;
4. Learner 5;
5. Learner 7;
6. Learner 8.
During Controlled Tasks on unknown dates between October 2019 and January 2020, provided inappropriate assistance to learners and/or did not ensure Controlled Task conditions were adhered to, in relation to one or more of the following learners:
1. Learner 14;
2. Learner 15;
3. Learner 16;
4. Learner 17;
5. Learner 5;
6. Learner 6;
7. Learner 19;
8. Learner 20;
9. Learner 21;
10. Learner 22.
On unknown dates between June 2019 and January 2020, displayed inappropriate behaviour towards Colleague A at work, in that he:
1. telephoned her when it was not reasonable or necessary to do so; and
2. followed her out of the room wherever she was going; and
3. in October 2019, followed her to the toilet and waited outside.
On one or more occasions, made derogatory remarks about the Company to members of staff and in front of learners, in that he said words to the effect of:
1. CCE was an awful company to work for; and
2. Colleague A would not last very long working for CCE; and
3. Colleague A should be careful.

Having made these findings, the Committee determined that Mr Bush’s conduct at paragraphs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 above was dishonest and his conduct at paragraphs 1 to 9 above demonstrated a lack of integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr Bush from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of work-based learning practitioner. It also decided Mr Bush may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 3 years has elapsed. Should Mr Bush not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 28 November 2026, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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

Siobhan Deborah Forber - 5 December 2023

Adam Stanley Davies - 10 November 2023

Published: 4 December 2023

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 November 2023, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proved against school learning support worker, Adam Stanley DAVIES.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a school learning support worker at Darland Highschool, Mr Davies:

Did not follow the School’s Safeguarding Policy in that on 5 November 2021, Mr Davies received a disclosure of a child protection issue from pupils and he directed them to their Head of Year, when he should have raised the concern with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Headteacher.
On or around 8 October 2021 Mr Davies captured personal information about a pupil from SIMS on his personal mobile phone.
On various dates between September 2021 and December 2021 Mr Davies refused to carry out reasonable instructions given by his manager without good reason, in that:
1. on 3 November 2021, Mr Davies had a discussion with a Year 8 pupil, when he had been told that he was only responsible for Key Stage 4 pupils; and
2. on 3 November 2021, Mr Davies had a discussion with Pupil B, a Key Stage 3 pupil, when he had been told that he was only responsible for Key Stage 4 pupils and when he had been told not to conduct interventions with pupils; and
3. on 4 November 2021, Mr Davies allowed Pupil C, a Key Stage 3 pupil to spend a lesson with him, when he had been told that he was only responsible for Key Stage 4 pupils; and
4. Mr Davies continued to deliver interventions to one or more pupil(s) when told not to; and
5. Mr Davies continued to focus on developing or implementing new systems at the school when he had been told to spend the first term establishing himself; and
6. Mr Davies continued to work on one or more proposals when he had been told by his line manager that they were not feasible and appropriate.
Mr Davies did not keep colleagues informed of pupil whereabouts, in that:
1. on 12 October 2021, Mr Davies removed a pupil from class to speak to them, without the knowledge of their Head of Year and/or the class teacher and the pastoral team and recording this on SIMS; and
2. on 4 November 2021, Mr Davies did not inform Colleague 1 of Pupil C’s whereabouts.
on or around 14 October 2021 Mr Davies referred to Colleague 1, in a conversation with Colleague 2, as “an obnoxious b****”.
Between around 3 December 2021 and 6 December 2021 Mr Davies used social media inappropriately, in that he made one or more of the following posts:
1. “Bullying & Abuse at work! Misandry and disingenuous efforts to cover up a witch-hunt following a whistleblowing and raising a grievance … Pathetic, weak & exceptionally sad. Yet shocked at my resignation … beggars belief”; and
2. “If a male was to grab a woman in an intimate area (and in the workplace) it would be a sackable offence of gross misconduct (rightfully so); but when a woman does it to a man: I was told it’s only office banter, cmon…. No, No, No! I have resigned that position and remained professional but the clock is ticking!” and
3. “Is it right that the job description doesn’t match the job? You would expect better from schools surely? Corruption is rife and the message is: you’re not untouchable and the truth will out!”.
On 30 June 2021, Mr Davies submitted an application to the School which was incomplete and inaccurate.
Mr Davies conduct at paragraphs 1 to 6 above demonstrated insufficient regard for:
1. the importance of following process and instructions in relation to pupil welfare; and
2. reasonable instructions; and
3. collaborative working to ensure pupil wellbeing.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Prohibition Order, indefinitely removing Mr Davies from the Register of Education Practitioners in the category of school learning support worker. It also decided Mr Davies may not make an application for restoration to the Register of Education Practitioners before a period of 2 years has elapsed. Should Mr Davies not make a successful application for eligibility for restoration to the Register after 10 November 2025, he will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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

Stephen Barrett - 9 November 2023

Linda Mary Frame - 27 October 2023

Published: 13 November 2023

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council, sitting remotely on 22 – 26 May and 23 – 27 October 2023, has found an allegation of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ proven against school teacher, Linda FRAME.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a Headteacher at Llangiwg Primary School:

In relation to the Red Dragon Child Care wrap-around nursery provision (“the wraparound provision”), she did not ensure that:
1. the provision was registered with the then-Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW); and
2. the provision complied with the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare.
In relation to the financial management of the wraparound provision, she did not ensure that:
1. accurate accounts were kept of income and outgoings; and
2. cash received from parents was banked appropriately or at all, and recorded in the School’s budget.
In relation to payment of staff at the wraparound provision, she allowed staff to be paid “cash in hand” without taking into account tax and national insurance.
Ms Frame did not ensure that the Special Educational Needs (SEN) practice in the school was compliant with the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for Wales (2002), in that she did not:
1. keep sufficient records of SEN documentation; and
2. ensure that learners’ IEPs were updated;
Ms Frame did not ensure that learners with Special Educational Needs were put forward for assessment and/or support in a timely manner, including:
1. Learner A; and
2. Learner C; and
3. Learner M; and
4. Learner L; and
5. Learner D; and
6. Learner G; and
7. Learner F; and
8. Learner E.

The Fitness to Practise committee found Ms Frame’s conduct at paragraphs 2(a), 2(c) and 3 lacked integrity.

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Conditional Registration Order upon Ms Frame’s registration as a school teacher with effect from 27 October 2023.

Addendum to decision of Fitness to Practise Committee

On 6 December 2023, Mrs Frame (the Appellant) filed and served an appeal on the EWC (the Respondent) under s.32 of the Education (Wales) Act 2014 against the decision of the Fitness to Practise Committee (FtPC) formally handed down on 8 November 2023.

On 15 March 2024 the Appellant and Respondent sought a consent order to dispose of the appeal in accordance with Paragraph 6.4 of CPR PD 52A on the basis that there are good and sufficient reasons for doing so. The terms of the limited consent order that were agreed between the parties was:

“The Respondent’s Notification of Decision dated 8 November 2023, to apply a Conditional Registration Order, is hereby varied in that the Conditional Registration Order is set aside and, in its place, the Respondent hereby imposes a Reprimand for a period of 2 years (from 8 November 2023 until 7 November 2025.”

The EWC has agreed to dispose of the appeal by consent, on the terms set out above, for the following four reasons:

The FtPC did not explain their reasoning for imposing a Conditional Registration Order (CRO), or the conditions which made up the CRO, or how the imposition of a CRO met the public interest;
The conditions imposed relate solely to the Special Educational Needs/Additional Learning Needs aspects of the facts found proven, and not to the other aspects of the allegation found proven by the FtPC;
The Appellant had made it clear that it would not be possible for her to comply with conditions of practice because she had been retired since September 2017.
Reprimand is within the range of appropriate sanctions to meet the public interest and in the interests of avoiding protracted litigation.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Consent Order disposes of the appeal, and the Appellant agrees not to pursue the other grounds set out in the Appellant’s grounds of appeal. All other findings of the FtPC set out in their decision handed down on 8 November 2023, save for that relating to the ‘Disciplinary Order’ are unaffected by the appeal and the consent order entered into by the parties.

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