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.

Devolution and putting place first image

Devolution and putting place first

The real lesson of Andy Burnham's Makerfield success, argues Dr Jonathan Carr-West, is that place – not personality – is the key to Britain's future.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Executive Liaison Support Supervisor - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
Up to £23.0400 per hour
Executive Liaison Support Supervisor - Basildon Borough CouncilBasildon, Essex £23.04 PAYE / £29.50 Umbrella Full-Time, Temporary - 36.25 hours per we England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Specialist Support Officer - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
Up to £18.2000 per hour
Specialist Support Officer - Basildon Borough CouncilBasildon, Essex £18.20 PAYE / £23.31 Umbrella Full-Time, Temporary - until end of December 2026 3 England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Programme Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 5 £26,403 - £28,598 (Pay award pending)
Help to Shape the Creative Heartbeat of County Durham’s New Landmark    Opening in summer 2026, The Light will be County Durham’s newest cultural dest Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

GRT Site Warden

Durham County Council
Grade 2 £24,796 - £25,185
We are looking to recruit a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) Site Warden to support the day-to-day management of our sites. This is an important role i Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Property Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,583 to £26,824 p.a. (Grade 4) pay award pending
An opportunity has arisen within Corporate Property and Land for a full time, permanent Property Assistant based at Green Lane Council Offices, Spenny Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner