Police Investigate Additional Allegations Against Former Head Teacher Neil Foden

Law enforcement authorities are examining two additional accusations of grooming and sexual abuse connected to Neil Foden, a head teacher convicted of paedophilia. North Wales Police stated that these claims pertain to victims who were “children at the time of the offence.” Foden received a 17-year prison sentence in July for sexually abusing four girls over a four-year period. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) indicated that police had not yet contacted them regarding these new allegations. Foden previously served as head teacher at Ysgol Friars in Bangor, Gwynedd, and held the position of strategic head teacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes. Ana, a former Ysgol Friars staff member whose real name is not being used, expressed concern that pertinent facts about the case were not being shared with official bodies and that “secrets” were “casting a shadow” over the school’s prospects. She stated, “There are people there (at the school) who have information… and the feeling I have is that they won’t come forward.” Ana worked at the school for two decades, and Newyddion S4C has interviewed several current and former staff members who echoed her sentiments. The North Wales Safeguarding Board is conducting a child practice review to identify potential lessons. However, there are apprehensions that the scope of this review is restricted, leading to calls for a public inquiry and an independent examination of the county council’s procedures. Ana questioned the extent of detail provided to the panel concerning the school’s operational management. Brian Jones, the recently appointed chair of governors for the school, confirmed that the child practice review team had visited the school on “several occasions” and that staff had been afforded the “opportunity to share concerns or information that may be of use to them.” Ana described the environment Foden fostered at Ysgol Friars as “suppressive, toxic, fearsome and bullying.” She asserted that “many things that have happened at the school that needed to come out” and that “there are some members of staff who know more than they are saying.” Following the revelation of the crimes, Ana contended that insufficient support was provided to teachers and other school personnel. She recalled a special staff meeting held the morning after Foden’s arrest. “We were sent straight back to work after receiving the news and were expected to carry on, when in reality all we wanted was to get together and discuss what we had just heard.” She added, “It was a horrible situation.” While a counsellor was available, she noted that some individuals found it challenging to seek assistance, and requests for appointments were not anonymous. It is understood that a minimum of 10 teachers are currently on long-term leave from Ysgol Friars, with sources suggesting an average of 18 daily absences since October. Mr. Jones commented, “155 individuals work at Ysgol Friars, and naturally each has been affected as a result of Neil Foden’s horrific crimes.” He affirmed that the new governing body is “committed to doing their very best for the welfare of the school’s pupils and staff.” Ana also criticized Cyngor Gwynedd, the council, for not assuming control of the school after Foden faced accusations, suggesting it should have acted “a lot sooner.” Acknowledging the difficulties encountered by students and staff, the council stated that its education department had been collaborating with teaching staff, support staff, and school governors to “restore and stabilise the situation for the benefit of all the school’s pupils.” During Foden’s trial, testimony revealed that colleagues observed him going to his car with one of his victims and embracing her. A former pupil, who alleged Foden groomed her for five years, stated that teachers and other school staff witnessed her entering his car alone multiple times. Ana indicated that many within the school community were aware that some girls received “a lot of attention” from Foden. She posed the question, “We knew as members of staff we were not supposed to carry children in our cars, so why was it different for Foden, and why didn’t anyone question that?” Ana explained that she felt empowered to discuss the management of Ysgol Friars after her departure from the school. She remarked, “Every day, I think about those young girls Foden abused.” Foden left the school in September 2023, but she maintained that “secrets cast a shadow over the school.” She further stated, “I would say that many senior staff have been moulded into how Foden wanted them to behave.” She emphasized, “This is bigger than Foden himself. He made sure he was surrounded by people who weren’t going to question him.” She concluded that the school required a “clean slate.” Mr. Jones stated that he could not comment on matters concerning staff, but assured that “any allegation” brought to the board’s attention would be addressed in accordance with its established policies. The findings of the children’s practice review, overseen by Jan Pickles, are anticipated next spring and will be presented to the Welsh government. However, concerns persist regarding communication processes and the “timeliness” of responses. The Child Protection Panel affirmed that the review team would directly contact individuals if further meetings or discussions were necessary. Nevertheless, some members of the school community expressed apprehension about confidentiality and general awareness of the review process, noting that parents lacked a direct communication channel with the North Wales Safeguarding Board. A letter issued by the school in July advised that information should be directed to the head teacher or a staff member “in whom you trust.” No subsequent correspondence has been sent to parents. Some individuals expressed being “surprised” and believed that information should be submitted directly to the panel. The Gwynedd Child Practice Review confirmed its focus on perpetrator behavior, professional conduct, governance arrangements, and the management of disclosures. It also noted that anyone possessing information could submit it directly to the board. The school currently lacks a permanent head teacher, with David Healey, who served as deputy under Foden, holding interim charge since September 2023. Mr. Jones reported that the position had been advertised three times, but it had “not been possible to make a permanent appointment” thus far, and arrangements to appoint a head teacher on a temporary basis were in progress. Mr. Healy is reportedly among the applicants seeking to become Foden’s permanent successor. The council indicated that recruiting a permanent head teacher had proven “challenging” and necessitated a new strategy. The council announced that a formal “recovery plan” would be implemented, asserting that it had “proactive steps in place” to review internal processes, including an investigation by a barrister into events in 2019 mentioned during the trial. The council affirmed, “We can ensure that we will not for a moment forget about the most important ones in this whole situation – the girls who should have been safe in their school, and that is why we are going through these processes and arrangements.”