‘I didn’t refer to staff as Taliban’

A HEAD teacher facing allegations of misconduct does not “condone bullying in any manner”, a hearing has been told.

Philip Jones is facing an Education Workforce Council fitness to practice committee over his time as head teacher of Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed.

He denies failing to deal with bullying by senior members of staff appropriately and allowing pupils to cheat in their coursework.

English teacher Rachel Griffiths told the committee on Monday that Mr Jones suggested she “kiss and make up” with a colleague who she says was bullying her.

In a statement read out to the committee, Mr Jones said: “I cannot recall how an issue between Norman Evans and Rachel Griffiths arose. I believe it was due to Rachel Griffiths not fulfilling her duties at break time.

“I recall speaking to both staff members and their accounts contradicted each other. I explained to each party the other’s account and offered them the opportunity to meet.

“I do not recall saying ‘kiss and make up,’ she replied that she was happy that I had listened to her.”

He added: “Rachel Griffiths may well believe that the phrase ‘kiss and make up’ or words to that effect are inappropriate. It’s a commonly used idiom and figure of speech.”

Mr Jones is also accused of referring to working with his staff as “fighting with the Taliban” at a governors’ meeting in February 2012.

“I didn’t refer to the staff as the Taliban at this meeting or any other time during my headship,” Mr Jones said.

He maintained the minutes of the meeting did not record the phrase and staff in attendance hadn’t heard him use it.

Earlier the committee heard evidence from former head of secondary education at Caerphilly council Lorraine Holder, who was present at the meeting. Mrs Holder says she did not hear Mr Jones refer to the Taliban.

She said: “Immediately I cross checked my recollection with the clerk of the governor’s body Sharon Bennett and she confirmed that she didn’t hear Mr Jones refer to the staff as ‘the Taliban.’

“Neither of us could remember the word being used in any context,” she added.

Under cross examination, Mrs Holder allowed that she wasn’t present for the whole meeting.

Mr Jones also gave evidence regarding the alleged copying of coursework from nearby Pontypridd High School.

“At no point were pupils asked to or directed to copy or otherwise plagiarise the content,” he said. “The work of others was used to exemplify high standards and expectations.

“Furthermore, to copy the work of others wouldn’t have been beneficial to the pupils of the school.”

He added that he had cooperated fully with two investigations by the WJEC into the incident, neither of which had found evidence of malpractice.

The hearing continues.