31-03-2025
Former headteacher who made fake expenses claims is banned from teaching
A former Newcastle headteacher who claimed thousands of pounds of gift cards on school expenses has been banned from teaching.
Hilary French, 69, was a 'well regarded' headteacher at Newcastle High School for Girls in Jesmond, Newcastle, but her 12-year career came to an end after she was found to have falsely claimed for meals and a jacket on school expenses.
Ms French was at the helm of the £5,000 per term private school from January 2006 until an audit in 2018 discovered she was responsible for the 'unusual' purchase of 65 gift cards, which she claimed were to be used for staff gifts and student prizes.
Hilary French. (Image: NORTH NEWS) But, in May 2023, Newcastle Crown Court found the gift cards, to the tune of £2,970, were used for her 'own personal benefit'.
Ms French admitted three fraud charges and was given a six-month jail sentence suspended for a year, with 150 hours of community service.
According to the report, the former teacher initially pleaded not guilty to the accusations but changed her plea at the further case management hearing.
A Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel in March 2025 has now banned Ms French from teaching for at least five years as they demanded she explain expenses for a sofa, Sweaty Betty jacket and evening meals during a weekend trip to Bath.
The panel report states Ms French claimed that an iPad and a coat were 'stolen' from her office worth of a combined value of £1,365 – but said coat was later found by police in the boot of her car.
Panel chair Jackie Hutchings said: 'You say you are unable to explain why you committed the offence and it seems to me from what I've read there were no financial difficulties. You speak of carelessness. I'm afraid I don't accept that.
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'I can't accept the defence submission that this is a lesser impact. Schools like this are judged by the quality of their staff, and to have a headteacher, particularly one that was so well regarded, behave like this is bound to have an effect, and it seems to me submissions to the suggestion this could have been done in another way are very misguided.
'It's quite clear the police had to be involved, and you know that perfectly well. It seems to me, in fact, the greatest impact is probably upon all those pupils who saw you as a role model, and I have no doubt were as surprised and shocked as anybody by your behaviour.'
Ms French did not participate or attend her public hearing and was not represented, and despite being notified on three occasions, she has 'no desire for teaching again'.
