A former head teacher has been banned from the teaching register following serious allegations of inappropriate conduct towards staff members. James Richards, who led Cadle Primary School in Swansea from 2011 to 2021, was described by a professional standards panel as “predatory” and “sexualised.” The panel found all allegations against him substantiated, resulting in a ban from working in both maintained and non-maintained schools in Wales for a minimum of 15 years.
The panel determined that Richards’ behaviour over a decade posed a significant risk to others. He will not be eligible to apply for reinstatement to the Education Workforce Council (EWC) register until at least November 2040. Testimonies from former and current staff revealed the extent of the distress caused by Richards’ actions, which left many women feeling traumatised and fearful.
During a school trip, Richards reportedly exposed himself to a teacher, instructing her to “Inspect this miss.” On another occasion, a staff member entered his office to find him standing next to his desk with his trousers down. Richards allegedly summoned one employee to his office, where he sat with his genitals exposed, obscured only by a pair of glasses. He also displayed explicit images from his phone during a meeting, shocking attendees.
The panel heard how five women recounted instances of Richards exposing himself, which left them too intimidated to come forward. One female staff member noted that during an internal investigation, Richards failed to return a laptop that he allegedly used to store naked images of himself.
Sue Davies, the panel chair, condemned Richards’ behaviour as “overtly and expressly sexual in nature.” She characterised his actions as “harassing, abusive, and predatory,” emphasising that he sought sexual gratification from his colleagues and enjoyed their reactions. Davies further stated, “Mr Richards was dishonest and self-serving. This was deeply entrenched behaviour which represents a risk to young women and colleagues.”
The panel’s findings reveal a disturbing pattern of conduct that raised serious concerns about workplace safety. Richards’ actions not only breached professional standards but also highlighted the urgent need for protective measures within educational environments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff members. The revelations surrounding Richards serve as a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by educators and the importance of maintaining a safe learning atmosphere for all.
