Joy Ballard, the former Principal of Ryde Academy and star of Channel 4 show Educating Cardiff, has been banned from teaching indefinitely after a misconduct panel found she acted dishonestly and abused her position.
The decision by the Secretary of State for Education, ruling that Mrs Ballard should be prohibited from the profession, brings to an end a long-running Teaching Regulation Agency case centred on Ballard’s conduct while leading Ryde Academy.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the panel found she used a school-funded Peugeot 5008 for personal trips – including a journey to France – changed school term dates to fit around her own holidays, bought items including camping equipment, televisions and a karaoke machine using school funds, failed to follow procedures for handling cash and made a dishonest expenses declaration.
During the hearing, Mrs Ballard apologised for aspects of her conduct but also made the extraordinary admission that she would “do some of it again”, telling the panel she was “not against breaking rules” if she believed they were not fit for purpose.
In its decision, the misconduct panel concluded that Mrs Ballard’s actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and conduct likely to bring the profession into disrepute. It found her behaviour involved dishonesty, a lack of integrity and repeated failures to uphold the high standards expected of a headteacher.
The panel also concluded there remained a risk that similar conduct could be repeated, citing Mrs Ballard’s limited insight into the seriousness of her actions and the absence of full remorse.
Accepting the panel’s recommendation in full, Secretary of State decision maker Marc Cavey said the case involved “a headteacher behaving in a way which was dishonest and lacking in integrity”.
While acknowledging mitigating factors, Mr Cavey concluded that allowing Mrs Ballard to continue teaching would undermine public confidence in the profession and that only a prohibition order would be sufficient to maintain proper professional standards.
Mrs Ballard is now barred from teaching in schools, sixth form colleges, relevant youth accommodation and children’s homes in England.
Although the order is indefinite, she can apply for it to be reviewed after 2 years, from 23rd June 2028. Any application would be considered by a future panel and would not automatically result in the ban being lifted.
Mrs Ballard also has the right to appeal the decision to the High Court within 28 days.
Serves the stupid woman right! It should be a ban for life, she like so many others abused her position try finding a job now?