Commenting on the publication of the extended Child Practice Review, ‘Our bravery brought justice,’ Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union said:

“The report is right to highlight the courage of the child victims who exposed the criminal activities of Neil Foden in his role as the leading headteacher in Gwynedd Local Authority. Their courage stands in marked contrast to the total lack of moral courage by senior officials in the local authority.

“Foden was known as a bully who ruled through fear and intimidation. Those who worked with him in the schools he managed had some justification to fear his wrath if he was challenged, but Gwynedd Officials had authority over him and simply failed to act when, as the report shockingly expresses, there were over 50 missed opportunities.”

Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official for Wales said:

“Whilst being a thorough report, the recommendations miss this key point: NASUWT sees a chasm between how Foden was treated and how classroom teachers are treated when there are safeguarding concerns.

“It was Foden’s positional power and domineering personality that seemed to make him invulnerable and because he was not challenged, encouraged his offending.

“NASUWT seeks to work with the Welsh Government as it reviews safeguarding procedures to try to ensure that cases like the Foden case can never happen again. Processes and procedures must be followed objectively, dispassionately and fairly. There must be Independence and accountability. This has not happened in Gwynedd.”