A former head teacher has been banned from the teaching profession for a minimum of 15 years following allegations of sexual misconduct involving staff at Cadle Primary School in Swansea. James ‘Jamie’ Richards, who led the school from 2011 to 2021, exhibited conduct described as “harassing, abusive, and predatory,” leading to his expulsion from the Education Workforce Council (EWC) register.
The EWC’s professional standards panel found all allegations against Richards substantiated, indicating that his actions over a decade posed a significant risk to colleagues. The ruling stipulates that he will not be eligible to apply for reinstatement until at least November 2040.
During a four-day hearing, evidence was presented from former and current staff members detailing Richards’ inappropriate behaviour. Colleagues described incidents where he exposed himself on school grounds and during a school trip, including one instance where he instructed a teacher to “inspect” him. Other testimonies included instances where Richards showed explicit images from his phone and engaged in acts of self-stimulation while at work.
Panel Findings and Witness Testimonies
The panel heard from five women who indicated that Richards’ behaviour left them feeling “shocked,” “numb,” and “frightened.” They expressed disbelief that someone they perceived as a “jovial” and “approachable” head teacher could act in such a manner. Many felt compelled to remain silent due to fears of not being believed or jeopardizing their jobs.
One witness recounted feeling disillusioned after South Wales Police deemed no criminal case existed against Richards in late 2021. This left her feeling unsupported by both the school and law enforcement, particularly as Richards was able to resign during an internal investigation following his suspension.
The panel chair, Sue Davies, noted that Richards did not engage with the EWC process nor attend the hearing, leading the committee to treat his allegations as denied. Despite his absence, the panel found the testimonies credible and consistent.
Richards had previously claimed through his union that health issues prevented him from participating in interviews for the school’s independent investigation. However, surveillance footage presented to the panel depicted him in good health, engaging in recreational activities such as playing golf.
Consequences and Future Implications
The panel concluded that Richards’ actions were overtly sexual in nature and constituted unacceptable professional conduct. Sara Lewis, the EWC presenting officer, emphasized the aggravating factor of Richards abusing his position of trust. The committee highlighted how Richards not only engaged in predatory behaviour but also discouraged his victims from reporting his actions.
In total, Richards was found to have exposed himself to three different staff members and shown explicit images to two more. Additionally, he failed to return a school-issued laptop during an internal investigation, which he allegedly used to share explicit content.
Richards has the right to appeal the decision to the High Court within 28 days. The panel’s decision serves as a stern reminder of the need for accountability in educational settings and the importance of creating a safe environment for both staff and students.
