Council acknowledges ‘significant challenges’ after headteacher paedophile case

Dale Spridgeon, local democracy reporter

A council has acknowledged the “significant challenges” created by the crimes of convicted paedophile headteacher Neil Foden.

One of Wales’ most high profile headteachers, Foden, of Gwynant, Old Colwyn was jailed in July for 17 years for sexually abusing four girls.

At a meeting of Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet, the cabinet member for education, councillor Beca Brown, said her department would “co-operate fully” with an independent review into Foden who worked as the head of Ysgol Friars in Bangor and as a strategic headmaster for Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes.

She also welcomed a wider council scrutiny investigation into safeguarding.

Support

Cllr Brown said: “I would like to acknowledge the significant challenges of the past year as a result of Neil Foden’s crimes, and that all our thoughts have been and continue to be, with the victims.

“The department and the council have been providing support to Ysgol Friars staff and learners over the past year and continue to do so.

“In addition, the department and the council are committed to co-operate fully with the independent review in accordance with the national child practice review guidelines, and are ready to act on any findings or recommendations when they are known.

“I also welcome the intention of the education and economy scrutiny committee to carry out a scrutiny investigation into the safeguarding area and the Department will once again be ready to co-operate fully with this investigation as well.”