Neil Foden: Gwynedd Council says ‘positive progress' made in response
Foden, 67, who was head of Ysgol Friars and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, was jailed for 17 years last July for 19 counts of sexual abuse involving four child victims between 2019 and 2023.
It was one year ago yesterday (May 15) that he was convicted of these charges, after a three-week trial at Mold Crown Court.
The council said stakeholders have been informed this week that 'positive progress' has been made on several work streams including responding immediately to the recommendations of a specialist safeguarding barrister.
These steps include:
These developments come in the wake of the 'response plan', adopted by Gwynedd Council's cabinet in January.
The aim of this plan is to set out the range of procedures and arrangements that the council will be implementing internally to:
The council said: 'One of the tasks within the plan was to commission an independent barrister who specialises in safeguarding investigations to carry out an investigation into the specific incidents in 2019 highlighted during Neil Foden's criminal trial.
'This detailed work is now complete.
'The full report has been sent immediately to the independent investigators of the statutory Child Practice Review, which is being carried out by the North Wales Safeguarding Board.
'The content of the report will feed into the conclusions and recommendations of the review.
'Alongside this, Cyngor Gwynedd has received legal advice from independent experts on the next steps.
'As a result, the council's elected members have received all of the inquiry's recommendations and an update on how the council will be putting them into action.'
Council leader, Cllr Nia Jeffreys, said: 'Neil Foden's horrific crimes continue to have a far-reaching impact on the people and communities of Gwynedd.
'The victims and their families remain in our thoughts as we investigate what went wrong and what more we can do to ensure children are safe in our schools.
'While we cannot undo the effects of Neil Foden's horrific crimes, as a council, we are determined to use this serious case to identify and learn lessons and use them to strengthen our arrangements.
'Our aim is to ensure that we have the best possible safeguarding arrangements to protect the young people of Gwynedd and which can also be of use to other councils across Wales.
'Creating the response plan back in December was the beginning of the journey. Since then, we have made progress in a short space of time with all the work streams, but we are fully aware that there is more hard work ahead especially when we receive the recommendations of the statutory Child Practice Review in the autumn.'
Dafydd Gibbard, chief executive of Gwynedd Council, added: 'As a council, we have made it clear that we will leave no stone unturned in the search for answers and to learn and improve.
'The response plan helps us with this by setting out in a single document the measures that have been put in place.
'Council officers immediately started to implement the recommendations made by the independent specialist barrister who looked into specific incidents in 2019.
'In addition, the investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office has been completed and we have updated our Freedom of Information procedures.
'The council's scrutiny committee has started its investigation into safeguarding arrangements in our schools, and an independent investigation into a report commissioned by an independent complaints panel has been completed and will be shared with councillors soon.
'There is much more to do, and we won't rest until we are satisfied that everything possible has been done.'
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North Wales Live
23-05-2025
- North Wales Live
'Astounding bravery' of paedophile headteacher Neil Foden's victims praised
The "astounding bravery" of young victims impacted by the crimes of paedophile headteacher Neil Foden has been praised in Cardiff. It came as Arfon's Plaid Cymru MS Siân Gwenllian had sought support in the Senedd for a campaign which draws attention to the pain suffered by sexual abuse victims in Wales and around the world. The Plaid Cymru politician had called for official recognition of an annual remembrance day and to a fly a flag, every May 1, to honour victims of sexual violence. It was part of efforts to place the "burden of shame" on perpetrators, not victims of sexual abuse. The campaign echoes the sentiment of French campaigner Gisèle Pelicot, that "shame must change sides". The First Minister Eluned Morgan had agreed to look into backing the 'Not My Shame' initiative. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Cyngor Gwynedd recently voted to support the cause, and is the first council in Wales to fly the campaign flag at the council's offices in Caernarfon. It aims to be an annual reminder that the shame of abuse lies with the perpetrators and never the victims, and can happen to any child, in any community. The initiative follows the shocking crimes of Neil Foden, the former head of Ysgol Friars in Bangor, and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, in Penygroes. Foden, 66, from Old Colwyn was imprisoned for 17 years, after being convicted of sexually abusing four girls over a four-year period. Siân Gwenllian said 'Victims of abuse are always on our minds when we hear of these harrowing issues. 'A Gwynedd school in my constituency has suffered an appalling case of sexual abuse in recent years, and that criminal has been imprisoned for 17 years. The bravery of the young victims involved has been astounding. ''Not My Shame' reminds us that the shame of abuse should always lie with the offender, and never the survivors. Very often, victims of sexual violence say that they carry the shame of the offence as well as a deep pain for the rest of their lives. That must change'. During the Plenary debate First Minister Eluned Morgan had replied, saying "a number of people have suffered in your area as a result of the terrible things that have happened in that school. "You're right that we need to ensure that the shame is on the perpetrator, not on those who have suffered, not on the victims. Could I look into that just to see how far we can go and whether there's anything else that we do that means that we can't do it? "In principle, I don't have anything against it, but we'll see whether it's possible". Siân Gwenllian said the First Minister's response was "encouraging" and that the Welsh Government standing with Cyngor Gwynedd on this important issue, was "a strong message". Sera Cracroft 'Not My Shame' Ambassador, survivor and actres, said following the Senedd discussion: '"Sexual abuse of children happens in every country, in every culture, and in every layer of society across the world. I welcome all attempts to raise awareness of this message. "The support of Senedd Cymru would be invaluable and reinforces the fact that the shame of child sexual abuse lies solely with the perpetrator, and never the survivor". Gwynedd Councillor Beca Brown, who had successfully brought a motion to support the campaign to fellow councillors earlier this month, said: 'Sexual abuse shatters lives, tears families apart and scars communities. It can have a negative impact on mental and physical health and can affect the ability to form good relationships. "Effective parenting plus educational and economic attainment can also be affected by abuse. 'One in four women and one in six men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood - harrowing figures that could be even higher. 'Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry forever. "Marking the first of May, annually, to remember the victims is imperatively important". Cyngor Gwynedd's deputy leader, Menna Trenholme who leads on children services at Gwynedd said: 'We all have a responsibility to make change by challenging stigma and shame that is associated with harrowing experiences". She encouraged anyone affected by sexual abuse to seek support. Children who need information and specialist support as a result of sexual abuse or violence can contact RASASC Gogledd Cymru [Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales] or call 0808 8010800. If you are a child who is being abused, or worried about a child being abused, contact Gwynedd's Children referral team: 01758 704455 (out of hours number: 01248 353551).
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Wales Online
'Astounding bravery' of paedophile headteacher Neil Foden's victims praised
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The "astounding bravery" of young victims impacted by the crimes of paedophile headteacher Neil Foden has been praised in Cardiff. It came as Arfon's Plaid Cymru MS Siân Gwenllian had sought support in the Senedd for a campaign which draws attention to the pain suffered by sexual abuse victims in Wales and around the world. The Plaid Cymru politician had called for official recognition of an annual remembrance day and to a fly a flag, every May 1, to honour victims of sexual violence. It was part of efforts to place the "burden of shame" on perpetrators, not victims of sexual abuse. The campaign echoes the sentiment of French campaigner Gisèle Pelicot, that "shame must change sides". The First Minister Eluned Morgan had agreed to look into backing the 'Not My Shame' initiative. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Cyngor Gwynedd recently voted to support the cause, and is the first council in Wales to fly the campaign flag at the council's offices in Caernarfon. It aims to be an annual reminder that the shame of abuse lies with the perpetrators and never the victims, and can happen to any child, in any community. The initiative follows the shocking crimes of Neil Foden, the former head of Ysgol Friars in Bangor, and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, in Penygroes. Foden, 66, from Old Colwyn was imprisoned for 17 years, after being convicted of sexually abusing four girls over a four-year period. Siân Gwenllian said 'Victims of abuse are always on our minds when we hear of these harrowing issues. 'A Gwynedd school in my constituency has suffered an appalling case of sexual abuse in recent years, and that criminal has been imprisoned for 17 years. The bravery of the young victims involved has been astounding. ''Not My Shame' reminds us that the shame of abuse should always lie with the offender, and never the survivors. Very often, victims of sexual violence say that they carry the shame of the offence as well as a deep pain for the rest of their lives. That must change'. During the Plenary debate First Minister Eluned Morgan had replied, saying "a number of people have suffered in your area as a result of the terrible things that have happened in that school. "You're right that we need to ensure that the shame is on the perpetrator, not on those who have suffered, not on the victims. Could I look into that just to see how far we can go and whether there's anything else that we do that means that we can't do it? "In principle, I don't have anything against it, but we'll see whether it's possible". (Image: Senedd Commission) Siân Gwenllian said the First Minister's response was "encouraging" and that the Welsh Government standing with Cyngor Gwynedd on this important issue, was "a strong message". Sera Cracroft 'Not My Shame' Ambassador, survivor and actres, said following the Senedd discussion: '"Sexual abuse of children happens in every country, in every culture, and in every layer of society across the world. I welcome all attempts to raise awareness of this message. "The support of Senedd Cymru would be invaluable and reinforces the fact that the shame of child sexual abuse lies solely with the perpetrator, and never the survivor". Gwynedd Councillor Beca Brown, who had successfully brought a motion to support the campaign to fellow councillors earlier this month, said: 'Sexual abuse shatters lives, tears families apart and scars communities. It can have a negative impact on mental and physical health and can affect the ability to form good relationships. (Image: Sian Gwenllian Office) "Effective parenting plus educational and economic attainment can also be affected by abuse. 'One in four women and one in six men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood - harrowing figures that could be even higher. 'Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry forever. "Marking the first of May, annually, to remember the victims is imperatively important". Cyngor Gwynedd's deputy leader, Menna Trenholme who leads on children services at Gwynedd said: 'We all have a responsibility to make change by challenging stigma and shame that is associated with harrowing experiences". She encouraged anyone affected by sexual abuse to seek support. Children who need information and specialist support as a result of sexual abuse or violence can contact RASASC Gogledd Cymru [Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre North Wales] or call 0808 8010800. If you are a child who is being abused, or worried about a child being abused, contact Gwynedd's Children referral team: 01758 704455 (out of hours number: 01248 353551). Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Chronicle
16-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Neil Foden: Gwynedd Council says ‘positive progress' made in response
Foden, 67, who was head of Ysgol Friars and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, was jailed for 17 years last July for 19 counts of sexual abuse involving four child victims between 2019 and 2023. It was one year ago yesterday (May 15) that he was convicted of these charges, after a three-week trial at Mold Crown Court. The council said stakeholders have been informed this week that 'positive progress' has been made on several work streams including responding immediately to the recommendations of a specialist safeguarding barrister. These steps include: These developments come in the wake of the 'response plan', adopted by Gwynedd Council's cabinet in January. The aim of this plan is to set out the range of procedures and arrangements that the council will be implementing internally to: The council said: 'One of the tasks within the plan was to commission an independent barrister who specialises in safeguarding investigations to carry out an investigation into the specific incidents in 2019 highlighted during Neil Foden's criminal trial. 'This detailed work is now complete. 'The full report has been sent immediately to the independent investigators of the statutory Child Practice Review, which is being carried out by the North Wales Safeguarding Board. 'The content of the report will feed into the conclusions and recommendations of the review. 'Alongside this, Cyngor Gwynedd has received legal advice from independent experts on the next steps. 'As a result, the council's elected members have received all of the inquiry's recommendations and an update on how the council will be putting them into action.' Council leader, Cllr Nia Jeffreys, said: 'Neil Foden's horrific crimes continue to have a far-reaching impact on the people and communities of Gwynedd. 'The victims and their families remain in our thoughts as we investigate what went wrong and what more we can do to ensure children are safe in our schools. 'While we cannot undo the effects of Neil Foden's horrific crimes, as a council, we are determined to use this serious case to identify and learn lessons and use them to strengthen our arrangements. 'Our aim is to ensure that we have the best possible safeguarding arrangements to protect the young people of Gwynedd and which can also be of use to other councils across Wales. 'Creating the response plan back in December was the beginning of the journey. Since then, we have made progress in a short space of time with all the work streams, but we are fully aware that there is more hard work ahead especially when we receive the recommendations of the statutory Child Practice Review in the autumn.' Dafydd Gibbard, chief executive of Gwynedd Council, added: 'As a council, we have made it clear that we will leave no stone unturned in the search for answers and to learn and improve. 'The response plan helps us with this by setting out in a single document the measures that have been put in place. 'Council officers immediately started to implement the recommendations made by the independent specialist barrister who looked into specific incidents in 2019. 'In addition, the investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office has been completed and we have updated our Freedom of Information procedures. 'The council's scrutiny committee has started its investigation into safeguarding arrangements in our schools, and an independent investigation into a report commissioned by an independent complaints panel has been completed and will be shared with councillors soon. 'There is much more to do, and we won't rest until we are satisfied that everything possible has been done.'
