A teaching assistant at Ysgol Y Graig Community Primary School in Cefn-coed-y-cymmer, Merthyr Tydfil, has been suspended from working in education for a year after she recorded herself mocking a young pupil and distributed the video via social media. Lois Bennett, who had only recently started her post after being hired through a teaching agency, had received favourable references prior to this incident.
It was revealed in a recent hearing by the Education Workforce Council Wales (EWC) that Bennett had been assigned to support a nursery-aged child, referred to in proceedings as ‘Pupil A.’ Merely six days after taking up her responsibilities in October 2023, Bennett filmed an encounter with the pupil using her mobile phone while alone with him in the school changing room. The panel heard that the video captured Bennett making hissing sounds and taunting the child by repeating the phrase, “What are you going to say? What are you going to say?”
David Anstee, the school’s headteacher at the time, gave evidence that while staff occasionally worked with pupils in areas like the changing room, school policy explicitly prohibited filming pupils on personal devices. Nonetheless, Bennett proceeded to record and later share the footage, which showed the child attempting to shield himself with his iPad as Bennett approached. The headteacher noted that this conduct contravened both privacy expectations and explicit safeguarding policies the staff were aware of.
The situation came to the school’s attention on 24 October 2023, just one day after Bennett recorded the video. The alarm was raised by a member of the public who had seen the clip on social media and recognised the school’s logo on the child’s uniform, prompting immediate action from the school and the local authority.
At the subsequent EWC hearing, chaired by Steve Powell, four serious allegations against Miss Bennett were found to be substantiated. The committee concluded that Bennett had indeed hissed at and gestured close to ‘Pupil A’s’ face, captured this on her phone, and shared footage of a pupil with individuals outside the school. It was further established that Bennett breached the school’s social media policy and acted with disregard for the risks associated with sharing such content online, a responsibility reinforced during staff inductions.
Despite Bennett’s repeated apologies and expressions of remorse for her actions, the panel determined that the severity of her behaviour warranted a suspension. In his concluding remarks, Mr Powell highlighted that safeguarding children and adhering to privacy guidelines are critical responsibilities for all school staff.
As a result, Bennett has been removed from the EWC register and is prohibited from working at any school for 12 months, starting from 7 May 2025. Her return to the profession will be contingent on completing comprehensive, face-to-face training courses focusing on safeguarding and proper social media conduct.
This case has sparked wider discussions within the education community about the importance of digital literacy, especially among staff entrusted with the welfare of children. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences that can arise from misuse of technology, as well as the pivotal role educators play in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment.
Over recent years, educational institutions have tightened their safeguarding policies to acknowledge the evolving risks associated with personal devices and social media use. Still, this incident underlines the necessity for ongoing training and vigilance to protect the most vulnerable members of school communities.
For parents and professionals alike, the case raises critical questions about trust, accountability, and the evolving boundaries between personal technology and professional responsibility within the classroom setting. As schools and agencies reflect on this event, renewed emphasis is being placed on ensuring robust and transparent systems to both prevent and address any form of misconduct swiftly.
Lois Bennett will have the opportunity to apply for reinstatement after serving her suspension, provided she can demonstrate full compliance with the imposed conditions. Until then, the case stands as a cautionary tale, reinforcing the vital importance of safeguarding and professional conduct at every level of the education sector.