Last Updated: 6 days ago
Pantside Primary School (Image: Google)
A level three teaching assistant at Pantside Primary School in Newbridge has been struck off following shocking misconduct towards children with additional learning needs.
Melanie Morgan, who worked with pupils aged 5-11 in the school’s special resource base, was found to have used profane language and inappropriate behaviour, including locking children outside the classroom.
“She was swearing in front of the children, making comments, and laughing at them when they cried,” testified supply teaching assistant Rebecca Coles. “I was shocked because the children were so vulnerable and non-verbal and it felt like taking advantage.”
Another witness, student teacher Lois Fox, described feeling “uncomfortable”, “shocked”, and “intimidated” by Morgan’s conduct, noting it created a “bad environment” for the pupils.
The panel found Morgan:
- Used phrases including “f****** hell”, “f*** this” and “little s****” in front of pupils
- Said “Which one of you has s****? Let me check your a****” or similar words
- After checking a pupil’s underwear said: “F****** hell it stinks”
- Responded to a crying learner saying: “He’s doing my f****** head in – all he’s done is cry”
- Asked “Does a bear s*** in the woods?” when questioned if a pupil wanted a breadstick
- Mocked a crying pupil by pulling faces and rubbing her eyes
- Locked pupils outside the classroom and closed blinds on them
Despite Morgan’s denial of all allegations and her statement that “safeguarding has always been paramount to me”, the Education Workforce Council’s professional standards panel found eight out of nine allegations proved.
Committee chair Peter Owen deemed Morgan’s defence “implausible”, leading to her being barred from the profession.
