Claim of sex with pupil is unproven
AN allegation that a teacher had sex with a pupil on a school trip has been found unproven following an Education Workforce Council hearing.
Daniel Rickard, a former teacher at Cynffig Comprehensive School in Bridgend, said he told colleague Paul Hicks he had sexual intercourse with a pupil but had told the hearing he was “playing him along” and this had not taken place.
Allegations that Mr Rickard allowed the pupil, known as Pupil A, to consume alcohol, that he was alone with Pupil A during part of the night and that he made inappropriate comments to Pupil A were all found proven by the EWC committee.
Mr Rickard admitted an allegation that he remained in the bar area of the hotel with Pupil A until 6am.
The allegation that he engaged in sexual intercourse with Pupil A was found unproven. An allegation that Mr Rickard’s conduct was sexually motivated was also found unproven.
Allegations of comments made by Mr Rickard to his colleague Mr Hicks were all admitted by the former teacher and were found proven by the committee.
Mr Rickard was given a suspension order until May 31, 2018. He is not allowed to teach in Wales during this time.
The EWC committee, at the hearing in Cardiff, had heard that Mr Rickard was accused of staying up drinking until 6am with the pupil, of making inappropriate comments and of having sex with her.
Mr Rickard accepted that when returning to the hotel room he shared with colleague Mr Hicks, he told him, “You know (Pupil A)? I’ve just smashed her”, before claiming he had sex with her in the hotel basement.
He also said words to the effect of he could “tick it off his bucket list now” and of texting Mr Hicks once the trip had returned home “Worse thing is in the same situation I’d probably do it again”.
But Mr Rickard denied having sex with the pupil and had told the hearing: “It was two long-standing colleagues having banter with an equal share in the conversation.”
He added: “I have regretted what I said to Mr Hicks because it’s opened up this investigation but if something had happened bar sitting down having a drink there’s no way I’d make such light of it.”
Reading out the committee’s judgement yesterday on behalf of chair Sheila Drayton, committee member Robert Newsome said: “The committee is satisfied in allowing Pupil A to consume alcohol, remaining alone with her in the bar until 6am and making inappropriate comments, Daniel Rickard’s conduct fell short of the standards expected of a registered person.
“Claiming to have sexual intercourse with a pupil caused alarm and led to a police investigation.
“This affected Pupil A and colleagues. No thought was given by Daniel Rickard to pupil safeguarding and the language used was totally unacceptable and could not be excused, particularly as it was in relation to a pupil.”
The committee found that the allegations found proven against Mr Rickard amounted to unacceptable professional conduct.