A teacher at a Powys all-age school allegedly used highly inappropriate language towards pupils and displayed unprofessional behaviour, an Education Workforce Council hearing has heard. Alice Ashton, who until earlier this year taught at Ysgol Bro Caereinion in Welshpool, is facing a series of serious allegations including verbal abuse, indecent gestures, being under the influence of alcohol at school, and restricting students’ movement during class.
The professional conduct hearing, convened remotely on Monday, was told Ashton is accused of swearing at pupils—allegedly telling them to “f*** off” and referring to them as “little s***s”, amongst other insults. Reports also claim she made a V-sign gesture towards students during a personal and social education lesson. Her conduct at the school, which caters for children aged 4 to 16, has come under significant scrutiny.
Deputy Headteacher Edward Baldwin provided evidence that he was first made aware of the allegations after a parent contacted the school with concerns about Ashton’s behaviour during a lesson which took place in a computer suite. Following this, he spoke with several pupils and reviewed CCTV recordings from the classroom. Mr Baldwin stated that while his interaction with Ashton since her appointment in September 2023 had been limited to routine introductions and he was not her line manager, he had noticed her preference for spending lunchtimes alone in her classroom, often on the phone, rather than joining staff in communal spaces.
He acknowledged that he had seen evidence of her reporting issues with boys in her classes, who she claimed were displaying poor behaviour. However, the deputy head insisted that nothing from his initial meetings with Ashton had raised any concerns about her conduct or suitability for her role at the school. It is believed the allegations that prompted the investigation led Ashton to leave the post in January 2024 after only a few months in position.
Further testimony was heard from Lorna Simpson, an HR consultant employed by the school to investigate the claims. Simpson told the panel she interviewed approximately ten pupils as part of her inquiry but clarified she did not consider the outcome of an alcohol test carried out on an orange liquid found in Ashton’s classroom bin. She explained the decision was due to the school lacking an official policy regarding alcohol testing.
Among the evidence presented at the hearing were details of Ashton’s prior conviction for drink-driving, handed down by Telford Magistrates’ Court in September 2023. For this offence, she received a twelve-month community order, was instructed to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and was disqualified from driving for over two years.
The panel is tasked with weighing a catalogue of alleged inappropriate actions Ashton is said to have committed in January 2024. These range from verbal abuse—using profanities and derogatory names, issuing threats about “slagging off” students if they left the classroom, making obscene gestures, and refusing to allow pupils to leave. The hearing is set to determine if these actions, either individually or cumulatively, amount to unacceptable professional conduct.
It was noted that Ashton did not attend the hearing nor send a representative, meaning the proceedings are being conducted on the presumption that she disputes the allegations. The case has inevitably prompted discussion within the school community, particularly given the recent turbulence in Ysgol Bro Caereinion’s leadership.
The school—formed in 2021 after the merger of two local institutions—recently saw its headteacher and deputy announce their resignations, effective at the end of the current term. In their stead, a senior education officer from Powys County Council, Anwen Orrells, has taken up duties as acting head while a search for a permanent leader continues.
Set against the backdrop of these leadership changes, the allegations against Ashton raise critical questions about staff wellbeing, recruitment processes, and safeguarding measures. The Education Workforce Council’s hearing continues, with the outcome set to impact not only Ashton’s professional future but also the reputation and governance of one of Powys’ key educational institutions.