Ellie Ames 08 August 2024

Family to sue council over paedophile former headteacher

Family to sue council over paedophile former headteacher image
Image: North Wales Police

A family whose child was subjected to emotional and physical abuse by former headteacher and paedophile Neil Foden is taking legal action against Gwynedd Council.

In May, Foden was convicted of 19 offences involving the abuse of four girls between 2019 and 2023. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Foden was the deputy head of Ysgol Friars School from 1989 before being promoted to headteacher in 1997.

During the trial at Mold Crown Court, it was heard that a teacher raised concerns with the council’s then director of education, Garem Jackson, in 2019 about Foden meeting teenagers alone, but the council did not formally investigate.

Solicitor Katherine Yates said: ‘This case raises a lot of questions.

‘There seems to be a long history of complaints against Foden, so why wasn’t anything done sooner?’

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: ‘We have been appalled by the nature of the crimes committed by Neil Foden and our thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families at this difficult time.’

The local authority said the North Wales Safeguarding Board had begun a review to identify necessary improvements and the lessons that should be learned, adding that it would respond to these immediately.

LocalGov Weekly Round Up image

LocalGov Weekly Round Up

William Eichler, editor of LocalGov.co.uk, reflects on the stories that captured readers’ attention this week.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Young Person's Advisor

Durham County Council
Grade 8 - £32,597 - £36,363
X1 Young Person’s Advisor (out of area) – Full-Time Temporary for 12 Months An exciting opportunity has become available within the Unaccompanied Asy Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Deputy Head Teacher

Durham County Council
£75,049 - £82,654
Deputy Head Teacher L16-L20, £75,049 - £82,654 Permanent, Full Time Required from 1 September 2026   Evergreen Primary School is a specialist primary Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Work Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £28,142 - £31,022
The Team provides an effective and efficient Assessment and Care Management service to adults 18 years and over with a physical disability, older peop Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

HGV Class 2 Driver

Wyre Borough Council
£13.47 - £13.68 per hour
Wyre Council is seeking a hardworking and reliable HGV Class 2 Driver Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Environmental Protection Administrative Assistant

Wyre Borough Council
Grade 3/4 £13.05 - £13.68 per hour
Are you organised, proactive, and passionate about delivering excellent customer service? Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner