Former Ryde Academy principal Joy Ballard, who took a £30,000 school vehicle on holiday to France and changed term dates to accommodate her own personal holidays, told a misconduct hearing today (Tuesday) that she is ‘ashamed and sorry’.
The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), which bought the case against that former Educating Cardiff star, previously heard the facts of the case back in March, where Ballard didn’t attend.
Addressing the panel for the first time at today’s hearing, Ballard said she made the decision not to attend her first hearing as she was being ‘bullied’ by 3 ‘whistle-blowers’ and instead submitted a 13-page mitigation statement.
Under Oath, Ballard tearfully answered the questions of the TRA panellists – Richard Young, Joyce Rosemary, Yvonne Weston and Simon Pettet – which related to allegations of misconduct during her time at Ryde Academy, stating she accepts that members of the public find the accusations very serious.
Ballard said she ‘partially’ accepts some responsibility of the allegations; but also went on to say how she is not against breaking rules and would do some of it again.
The panel found the following allegations to be proven:
- Between July 2022 to June 2024, Ballard used a vehicle purchased by school funds for £30,000 to travel to France around the time of Easter in 2024, the Peugeot 5008 was also used for school purposes such as commuting to work.
- Around September 2023 Ballard adjusted school terms dates to those that would accommodate her personal holiday arrangements.
- At the end of Autumn 2023 as well as Spring 2024 she adjusted term dates to suit a personal cruise trip.
- Ballard failed to attend for her duty at the school on 3rd January 2024 for an inset day due to being on a cruise as well as not attending on 10th February.
- Sometime between April 2021 – October 2022, Ballard purchased camping equipment, a karaoke machine and at least one TV with school funds with all of the items having limited use to the school.
- Ballard also failed to carry out the correct procedures around the banking of school cash between September 2022 and June 2024 where she would take it home in her handbag and then bank it.
Jim Olphert, representing the TRA, reminded panellists that they must consider 3 main points: her behaviour, the public interest relating to the case and her mitigation efforts.
He went on to emphasise the chaotic and dishonest nature of Ballard’s financial decisions as well as the lack of integrity that has been shown due to repeated behaviours.
It was said by the panel that this case has the ability to bring professional disrepute to the teaching industry where honesty and integrity are key.
When questioned by Mr Olphert regarding whether she accepts the findings, Ballard partially accepted not knowing of any policy changes saying she did know the policy but decided to act against it for the benefit of the kids.
As well as this she argued that the inset days were simply drafts and unpublished to parents and guardians, therefore implying her changing of these days had no real weight.
When asked whether she accepts the finding related to the vehicle, she said it was a stupid mistake really and has regretted it everyday since. Joy Ballard said that the use of the car was a ruthless decision, that she is ashamed and sorry – but it was an error and not dishonest.
She said she was driving to Bristol to complete her worming role and it turned into an everyday routine.
Throughout, Ballard reiterated that everything she has done has been to benefit the children of Ryde Academy, now known at Lift Ryde, saying “I will do anything in my power to keep money on the island and keep improving kids school life on the Island”, after she revealed the in the previous year the school had to return £200,000 of their funding back to the controlling Trust as it was not spent.
She said much of her spending was an effort to make the school somewhere children wanted to be, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, saying she is now being criticised for something she was once celebrated for.
Following the conclusion of today’s hearing, Joy Ballard has been informed that she will have to wait for written confirmation as to the fate of her teaching career.
Sounds like a freeloader, too many people think
businesses work for them, especially since the
pandemic.
Being struck off the teaching register is the only outcome
Persons teaching need stricter vetting rules
too many of them are not fit to be teachers.
Sounds like that Krankie woman, “I had no idea”
They should do a full financial audit by the sounds of it.
She would make a great chancellor of the exchequer
Lol
I’m intrigued by the change in the definition of the word ‘mistake’.
My understanding was that it referred to an involuntary action i.e. something which, at the time, was not known to be incorrect. An example might be to say that 7 x 8 = 54. Now it can be taken to mean an error of judgement, as in ‘I didn’t mean to kick him in the head – it was a mistake’. Weird.
The country is run in funny ways thesedays.
Employees seem to run the show, the Public sector
are a joke, hence employees changing the rules
THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
The TRA is the face of accountability. It has strong powers over teachers’ careers and is not afraid to use them.
What a perfect example of the modern western wahmen. No talent, no brains, no character or ethics. Just an entitled, spiteful, narcassistic child, who will always avoid accountability no matter what.