Number of alleged teacher-pupil relationships in Welsh schools revealed

Welsh Conservatives have uncovered the number of teachers in Wales alleged to have been involved in inappropriate relationships with pupils in the past five years.

Figures obtained from Wales’ teacher registration body also reveal cases where teachers have been disciplined for allegations pertaining to the use of legal and child pornography.

The Education Workforce Council released data which showed that from April 2011 to present it received 13 referrals relating to teacher-pupil relationships from various local authorities

This figure could be much higher given that some local authorities did not respond and others would not give specific data on this issue.

Cardiff Council had the highest number of referrals at three, while Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire and Newport Councils each had two.

Powys County Council received one referral for an allegation of pornography possession while Blaenau Gwent and Swansea Councils each dealt with a case of alleged child pornography.

Further data obtained from local authorities revealed that Cardiff Council had two cases of teachers in possession of pornography, resulting in arrest.

Swansea council would not offer specific data on the number of cases involving pornography or child pornography, but confirmed that for each category it was “less than 5”.

Responding to these figures, Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Education and Children, Darren Millar AM, said:

“It is vital that our schools offer safe environments to enable our children to get the best educational outcomes possible.

“Our school system must more closely integrate with social services to ensure that vulnerable and at-risk pupils get the support they need.

“Stronger internet safeguarding should also be implemented in schools to make sure that pornographic sites are strictly off-limits and that attempts to access these sites can be immediately flagged to the appropriate authorities.”