Union Claims Jailed Headteacher Operated “Like a Lord of His Own Kingdom” in Recruitment

A union has asserted that a headteacher, now imprisoned for paedophilia, was granted “free rein” to hire approximately 80 staff members without advertising positions or conducting interviews. Neil Foden, who previously served as headteacher at Ysgol Friars in Bangor, Gwynedd, received a 17-year jail sentence in July for the sexual abuse of four girls between 2019 and 2023. The National Education Union (NEU) informed Newyddion S4C that recruitment data it examined indicated Foden failed to consult governors or even advertise nearly half of the roles he filled from September 2021 to January 2024. NEU Wales officer Dilwyn Griffiths stated, “He (Foden) was like a lord of his own kingdom.” BBC Wales has learned from school sources that Foden’s daughter, Lisa, resigned from Ysgol Friars earlier this year, having initially joined the staff as a teaching assistant. Her most recent role, according to a former online prospectus, was head of Year 11, which is a non-teaching, pastoral position. The BBC is unaware of the circumstances surrounding her hiring. Mr. Griffiths explained that the NEU obtained access to the recruitment data via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, which was submitted after the union was notified that eight positions at the school were at risk. Mr Griffiths also conveyed the NEU’s concern regarding the unusually high volume of appointments made at the school between September 2021 and January 2024. He characterized the FOI response as “shocking,” noting that a school of that size typically anticipates a staff turnover of only five to eight individuals annually. “What emerges is accountability,” Mr Griffiths remarked, highlighting that governors participated in only 12 of the 94 appointments made over a three-academic-year period. He further added, “Foden was given free rein to do whatever he wanted,” describing the governors at that time as a “helpless” body. Mr Griffiths stated that Foden was present at all 29 interview occasions when they did occur, accompanied by some members of the senior management team. The data additionally revealed that among the appointments made without advertising or interviews were six senior roles, including positions within the senior leadership team and heads of department. A school employee, identified as Gill (name changed), informed Newyddion S4C that she was aware of several individuals who were offered jobs by Foden without undergoing official procedures. She commented, “It’s long been the opinion of many staff that certain jobs were earmarked, and that the recruitment and appointment process wouldn’t be fair or unbiased.” The union reports that the school, which ranks among the largest secondary schools in north Wales, had a debt of nearly £500,000 earlier this year. This contrasts with data from March 2021, which indicated the school held almost £1 million in reserve, primarily due to pandemic-related grants. Foden had discussed school budgets post-lockdown with BBC Wales ten months prior to his arrest. The new school governing body has acknowledged that there are “lessons to be learned” and confirmed they are now adhering to Cyngor Gwynedd’s guidance for recruitment. While acknowledging the financial pressures faced by many Welsh schools, Dilwyn Griffiths attributed Ysgol Friars’ debt accumulation to “more spending on staff than there should have been” and stated it was evident that “no-one was keeping track of it.” The school’s governing body had initiated a process for compulsory redundancies by the close of the last financial year (April 2024) due to the institution’s financial state. The consultation process concluded without the need for any redundancies, as 17 staff members voluntarily departed. Mr Griffiths questioned why the appointments made during Foden’s tenure as headteacher had not been brought to the attention of the local authority, which was responsible for issuing contracts. He asserted that this undermined public confidence and that “the public would like to know that their money is being spent appropriately.” Brian Jones, the school’s new chairman of governors, stated that the board recognized “uncertainty” regarding the “advertising and appointment processes” conducted by Neil Foden “during his 26 years as headteacher.” He further commented that past recruitment arrangements were not “open and transparent enough.” Mr Jones confirmed that the school’s “policies and administration” were undergoing review to ensure they were “in line with all statutory requirements and school and council policy.” Cyngor Gwynedd clarified that not all of the 94 appointments were new positions, but rather a combination of temporary posts, promotions, and internal changes. A council spokesperson affirmed its support for the governors and new school leaders to “ensure that their appointment processes are sound and effective for the future.” The governors and Cyngor Gwynedd jointly stated that Ysgol Friars is now in a “financially sound” position and that they are collaborating on the school’s “general and financial management” moving forward.