Publication date: 7 January 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 16 and 17 December 2025, has found allegations of ‘unacceptable professional conduct’ and ‘relevant offences’ proved against school learning support worker, Jessica Picton.

The Fitness to Practise Committee found the following allegations proven, that whilst employed as a Teaching Assistant at Clase Primary School (“the School”), Miss Picton:

1. did not notify the School that she had been arrested on 11 December 2023 until asked about the arrest on 15 December 2023 by the Headteacher of the School
2. on 15 December 2023, gave misleading and false information to the Headteacher of the School about the circumstances of her arrest on 11 December 2023
3. on 14 June 2024, was convicted at West Glamorgan Magistrates' Court of:
   1. driving a motor vehicle with the proportion of specified controlled drug above specified limit on 11 December 2023, contrary to section 5A(1)(a) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced to a community order, curfew requirement with electronic tagging, rehabilitation activity requirement and disqualified from driving for 17 months
   2. driving a motor vehicle with the proportion of specified controlled drug above specified limit on 11 December 2023, contrary to section 5A(1)(a) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. As a consequence, Miss Picton was sentenced to a community order, curfew requirement with electronic tagging, rehabilitation activity requirement and disqualified from driving for 17 months

Having made these findings, the Committee also determined that Miss Picton’s conduct at paragraphs 1 and 2 was dishonest and lacked integrity.

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 17 December 2027, she will remain prohibited indefinitely.

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