Publication date: 1 July 2026

A Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC), sitting remotely on 17 June 2026, has found an allegation of ‘a relevant offence’ proved against school learning support worker and independent school learning support worker, Jessica Hughes.

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

1. on 11 October 2024, Miss Hughes was convicted at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court of driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit on 20 September 2024, contrary to section 5(1)(a) and Schedule 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. As a consequence of this offence, Miss Hughes was fined £120, and disqualified from driving for 18 months
2. on 9 June 2025, Miss Hughes was convicted at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court of:
   1. assault by beating of an emergency worker on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100
   2. assault by beating of an emergency worker on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100
   3. assault by beating of an emergency worker on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100
   4. assault by beating of an emergency worker on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100
   5. assault a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £300
   6. assault a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £500
3. on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was convicted at Cardiff Magistrates Court of Assault by Beating on 12 October 2024, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. As a consequence of this offence, on 4 July 2025, Miss Hughes was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment concurrent, suspended for 12 months, with an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and ordered to pay compensation of £100

The Fitness to Practise Committee imposed a Reprimand on Miss Hughes’ registration as a school learning support worker and independent school learning support worker for a period of 2 years (from 17 June 2026 to 17 June 2028). As such, Miss Hughes will be able to work as a registered person (school learning support worker and independent school learning support worker) who provides specific services in or for a maintained school or non-maintained special school in Wales for the period of the Reprimand.

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