### Teaching Assistant Filmed Mocking Nursery Child and Posted Video Online, Fitness to Practise Hearing Told
A teaching assistant employed at a Merthyr Tydfil primary school has been brought before a professional standards panel after it emerged she filmed herself “mocking” and hissing at a nursery-aged child, and subsequently posted the footage on social media. The Education Workforce Council (EWC) Wales was told that Lois Bennett, a learning support worker, breached both safeguarding protocols and the school’s social media policy during the incident at Ysgol Y Graig Community Primary School.
Bennett’s appointment followed glowing references from her supply agency, Teacher Active. She had been specifically contracted to provide one-to-one support for a child in the nursery class, with documented training in working with children with autism and a clear awareness of school policies. However, within just six days of starting her fixed-term contract, she was alone with the pupil on a changing bed in the school’s changing room when she decided to record the incident on her mobile phone.
According to testimony from the school’s then-headteacher, David Anstee, Bennett can be seen on the video holding her phone in front of herself and the child, hissing in his face and repeatedly shouting, “What are you going to say? What are you going to say?” The video was subsequently shared publicly on a social media platform, making it widely accessible. Notably, mobile phone use for recording children is strictly prohibited at the school, a policy Bennett was well aware of.
It was a member of the public who alerted the school on 24 October 2023, after recognising the school logo on the child’s shirt in the widely-circulated clip. By this time, Bennett had initially called in sick, but later attended the school with her mother and asked to speak to the headteacher. When challenged, she reportedly downplayed the incident, claiming the video had been posted only to Snapchat rather than social media. However, when the headteacher pointed out that Snapchat is a form of social media and the content could easily be forwarded, Bennett reportedly laughed and showed little understanding of the consequences.
Throughout the meeting with the school’s safeguarding team, Bennett was described as “flippant” and “relaxed,” showing neither remorse nor concern for the affected child. Mr Anstee said she appeared unconcerned for the child’s welfare and dismissed the gravity of being suspended, responding, “OK. That’s fine,” when informed of the formal disciplinary action. The school also notified the police and ensured that the incident was properly escalated through the appropriate safeguarding channels.
The parents of the child described themselves as “devastated” by the breach of trust and the public exposure of their son. During the hearing, Mr Anstee stated that they were particularly distressed at the public nature of the video and concerned about whether there might have been other incidents not yet uncovered. They confirmed that they had initiated a police complaint in addition to the school’s referral.
Prior to the incident, neither Mr Anstee nor any colleagues had cause for concern regarding Bennett’s conduct. She had started at the nursery on 16 October 2023 after working a short spell with the school via the Teacher Active agency, whose references suggested she was professional and capable. According to the headteacher, it was only the emergence of the video that revealed a concerning side of Bennett’s character, as there had been no previous indications of inappropriate behaviour.
Bennett was not in attendance at the EWC hearing and chose not to be represented. While she has not formally admitted or denied the allegations, she submitted a written statement to the panel expressing shame and embarrassment at her actions, describing them as a “silly mistake.” She stated that she takes “full responsibility for the video and consequences,” apologised to the child, and indicated she would not work with vulnerable people again.
Despite this admission, Kira Evans, the EWC’s presenting officer, cautioned that the impact of the incident cannot be minimised. “She was messing around with and mocking Pupil A,” she told the panel, asserting that the essential issue was the breach of professional standards and disregard for safeguarding policies.
The hearing, which continues, will determine whether Bennett is guilty of unacceptable professional conduct based on several allegations: hissing at and gesturing near the child’s face, recording the incident, sharing the video with those unauthorised, and breaching the school’s social media protocols. The outcome of the hearing will shape future practice and expectations for safeguarding within Welsh schools.