Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod (Image: Google Maps)
Last Updated: 1 minute ago
A teaching assistant has been banned from the profession for 12 months after a disciplinary panel found she grabbed a young pupil and dragged him into a classroom.
The incident
Cerian Williams had worked at Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargod in Caerphilly County since September 2008 with no disciplinary issues. But on May 20, 2022, when a boy was too shy to enter the classroom after an unfamiliar staff member opened the door, Williams walked towards him at speed, grabbed him by the arm and dragged him inside.
The boy’s mother witnessed the incident and shouted at Williams to stop. Williams then patted the boy’s head and said he was fine.
What the mother said
The pupil’s mum told the hearing: “She came towards him, grabbed him by his right arm, dragged him into the classroom. She was stomping across the room. It was like she was annoyed he was still stood by the door and hadn’t come into the classroom.”
Williams’ defence
Williams told headteacher Jamie Hallett she had used a Team Teach technique called the “Caring C” to guide the pupil in – a method involving placing a hand above a child’s elbow. However, the panel noted this technique requires the adult to be next to or behind the pupil, while all other witnesses said Williams was stood in front of the child.
Background concerns
Evidence from class teacher Rhian Darch revealed Williams had become increasingly short-tempered in the weeks before the incident. Ms Darch said she tried to support Williams but there was nothing formal in place to help her.
The findings
Panel chair Gareth Davies said: “The committee noted that her accounts did not appear to be consistent and were in direct conflict with the witnesses called by the EWC. There was no evidence to suggest they had any reason to fabricate their evidence.”
The Education Workforce Council Wales fitness to practise committee found all allegations against Williams proved – that she dragged, pulled and grabbed the pupil by the arm or wrist, that this was unnecessary and excessive force, and that her actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct.
What happened next
Williams was suspended from work on full pay and charged in connection with the incident. She was found not guilty of common assault by beating at Newport Magistrates’ Court in April 2023. She resigned from her role in July 2024 following a school disciplinary process.
The outcome
Concluding the hearing on Thursday, March 12, Mr Davies said Williams would be subject to a 12-month suspension order. He acknowledged it was a one-off event and accepted her behaviour was out of character and unlikely to be repeated.
Mr Davies said: “The committee was of the view that she was aware of how she should behave and the behaviour amounted to unacceptable professional conduct individually and together.”
Williams was not present or represented at the hearing.
