A former head teacher has been banned from the education profession for at least 15 years following a series of alarming allegations of sexual misconduct. James Richards, who led Cadle Primary School in Swansea from 2011 to 2021, was described by a professional standards panel as “predatory” and “sexualised” in his conduct towards staff.
The Education Workforce Council (EWC) in Wales made the decision after finding all allegations against Richards to be proven. His ban means he cannot apply for reinstatement to the teaching register until at least November 2040. The panel determined that Richards’ actions over a decade created a significant risk to those around him.
Details of Richards’ behaviour emerged during the hearings, where evidence from current and former staff highlighted the traumatic impact of his actions. One incident involved Richards exposing himself to a teacher during a school trip, reportedly stating, “Inspect this miss.” Another staff member recounted being summoned to his office, only to find him next to his desk with his trousers down.
Witnesses reported a variety of inappropriate behaviours, including Richards instructing an employee to enter his office while he sat with his genitals exposed, obscured only by a pair of glasses. He also allegedly displayed explicit images from his phone during a meeting and showed a video of himself engaging in sexual acts.
The emotional fallout from these incidents was profound. Women who worked with Richards described feelings of disbelief, fear, and trauma, stating they were left “shocked,” “numb,” and “frightened.” One female colleague recounted how he remarked, “I love my wife and children. I can’t help myself” while exposing himself.
Five women shared experiences of Richards’ misconduct, which left them feeling too intimidated to report his behaviour. Another woman indicated that he failed to return a laptop during an internal investigation, a device believed to contain inappropriate images of himself.
Panel chair Sue Davies characterised Richards’ actions as “overtly and expressly sexual in nature,” condemning his behaviour as “harassing, abusive, and predatory.” She noted that Richards sought sexual gratification from his actions and thrived on the reactions of his colleagues. Davies emphasised the deeply entrenched nature of Richards’ misconduct, stating it represented a significant risk to both young women and his peers.
This case highlights the urgent need for protective measures within educational institutions to safeguard staff and students from predatory behaviour. The ban on Richards serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring safe learning environments for all.
