The head of the North Powys Pupil Referral Unit, Nick Ratcliffe, faces serious allegations regarding the inappropriate use of funds during his tenure from 2019 to 2022. An investigation was initiated after concerns were raised about Mr. Ratcliffe’s expenditures, which reportedly included items such as mountain bikes, drones, power tools, alcohol, and food.
During a professional standards hearing on January 20, 2024, it was revealed that Mr. Ratcliffe, who was not a qualified headteacher when appointed, had made repeated requests for financial training from the local authority. Evidence presented at the hearing indicated that he utilized a council purchasing card to acquire teddy bears, yoga mats, and Apple products for the unit, which serves pupils struggling in mainstream education.
The inquiry, held by the Education Workforce Council in Wales, detailed how Mr. Ratcliffe allegedly did not adhere to proper purchasing procedures or financial regulations. It is claimed that he failed to consistently obtain itemized or VAT receipts for his transactions. He has been accused of dishonest and unacceptable professional conduct, although he denies most allegations, admitting only to purchasing alcohol and food for a staff Christmas meal.
The panel heard from Simon Anderson, the local authority line manager responsible for overseeing the purchases. He stated that he reviewed Mr. Ratcliffe’s spending approximately once a week. When questioned about a purchase of a bottle of wine and a T-shirt, Mr. Ratcliffe reportedly apologized, explaining the wine was a thank-you gift for a staff member and the T-shirt was intended for a child who did not have one for the last day of term.
Anderson noted that food, including milk and breakfast items for pupils, had been purchased with PRU funds, as well as trips to McDonald’s as rewards for well-behaved children. He admitted that while he performed a “dip test” on spending by questioning unusual transactions, he approved purchases after they were made, not before.
The investigation revealed that Mr. Ratcliffe had spent funds on mountain bikes and GoPro cameras for pupils, aiming to provide outdoor activities as the PRU lacks sufficient outdoor space. Anderson expressed support for this initiative, stating that it was aimed at enhancing the pupils’ environment. However, he acknowledged that he could not recall the exact amount spent on these items.
When confronted about the purchase of expensive carpets and mats with the PRU logo, Anderson noted that these had already been acquired and he could not specify the total cost. He did not, however, see anything inappropriate about the mountain bikes’ purchase, emphasizing that it was meant to support the students.
The hearings also touched upon the spending of public funds on food from fast-food restaurants. Anderson reiterated that the PRU did not provide hot meals, and the team was striving to support nutrition for the pupils. He explained that items like bread, milk, and cornflakes were often purchased for breakfast, with the occasional reward day potentially including a trip to McDonald’s.
Mr. Ratcliffe’s career with Powys Council began as a children’s case worker before he advanced to manager and eventually leader of the North Powys PRU, which accommodates up to 30 pupils. Although he eventually gained full qualification as a headteacher, his past decisions are now under scrutiny.
During the hearing, Michael Gedrim, a member of the PRU management team, described Mr. Ratcliffe as “very dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate about children achieving their best.” Gedrim also suggested that some staff might have been looking for faults in Mr. Ratcliffe’s management.
Mr. Ratcliffe’s counsel, Jonathan Storey, highlighted the difficulties his client faced in obtaining support and training from the local authority, further complicating the situation.
The Powys Pupil Referral Unit, which operates across two sites in Brecon and Newtown, was evaluated by Estyn inspectors in 2024 and deemed to require significant improvement. The investigation continues as the panel seeks to establish the full extent of the alleged financial misconduct.
