Staff Suspended at Ysgol Friars Following Information to Education Department

Governors at Ysgol Friars in Bangor have confirmed two staff suspensions, announced in a letter to parents. These suspensions follow the jailing of the school’s former headmaster for sexually abusing girls and are a result of information provided to Cyngor Gwynedd’s education department, the local authority. Neil Foden, who previously served as headteacher at Ysgol Friars and also as a strategic headteacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, received a 17-year prison sentence in July. This sentence was for the sexual abuse of four girls, which occurred over a four-year period. The specific nature of the information reviewed by education officials that led to these two suspensions remains undisclosed. A collaborative statement issued by Cyngor Gwynedd and the Ysgol Friars board of governors clarified that a work suspension constitutes a “neutral act,” enabling investigations to be conducted “thoroughly and in an appropriate manner.” The statement further indicated that the school’s governing body would manage this process, adhering to standard school procedures, and would receive assistance from an independent investigator. Newyddion S4C has obtained a letter dispatched to staff by Brian Jones, the chairman of governors. This letter confirms the appointment of Lynne Hardcastle to temporarily lead the school until Christmas, with her full-time commencement anticipated for next Monday. The position for a permanent headteacher has been advertised on three separate occasions. Cyngor Gwynedd described the recruitment process as “challenging,” leading to the decision to appoint a temporary headteacher. Confirmation was provided last week regarding the appointment of Margaret Davies as Interim headteacher. She is slated to join Ysgol Friars on secondment for a duration of four terms, commencing from Easter 2025 and concluding at the end of the 2026 summer term. Margaret Davies currently holds the position of head at St Christopher’s special school in Wrexham. While the precise nature of the ongoing investigation has not been detailed, the communication sent to parents emphasizes that there is “no accusation of crime has been committed” and that the individuals concerned are not the “subject of a wider investigation.” Cyngor Gwynedd stated that it would be inappropriate for either the authority or the board of governors to provide additional comments at this time.