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.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Area Tree Officer (South)

Oxfordshire County Council
£34434 - £37280
About you Are you an experienced Tree Officer / Arboriculturist who wants a new challenge and the opportunity to deliver and influence tree retention and management across one of England’s most beautiful and diverse treescapes? Are you recently qualifie Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Officer - Applications and Data Management

Oxfordshire County Council
£34434 - £37280
About Us Oxfordshire County Council are leading the way in ensuring that we work efficiently and in a climate conscious way and this is only possible with the help of our Applications and Data Management Team. About the Role You will be providing system County Hall
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Work Apprentice

Oxfordshire County Council
£34434 - £37280
Together, we’re shaping children’s social care for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire. In our Children, Education, & Families directorate, we’re committed to delivering lasting c Oxfordshire
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Local Authority Research Practitioner

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £47,229
Local Authority Research Practitioner
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Rehabilitation Officer Vision Impairment

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Rehabilitation Officer Vision Impairmen... Twickenham, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner