Cadle Primary head struck off after exposing himself in school

A Swansea headteacher who exposed himself to members of staff at school and during school trips has been banned from working in schools in Wales for at least 15 years.

James ‘Jamie’ Richards was the head of Cadle Primary School in Swansea from 2011 to 2021.

Richard’s behavior was described as “violent” and “sexually harassing” and the father of two was banned from working in run or non-maintained schools after a professional standards panel found all allegations against him proven.

During the four-day hearing, former and current employees described how his actions had traumatized many women. Panel chair Sue Davies said Richard’s behavior was “harassing, abusive and violent”.

Richards did not attend the hearing of the Education Workforce Council (EWC) – the professional regulator for education staff in Wales – nor was he represented, and he did not answer to the charges against him.

Thus, all charges were dismissed by the panel, which found that Richard’s conduct in exposing himself was of a sexual nature, or was sexually motivated, and that his behavior was unacceptable professional conduct.

The hearing was told that the women were “shocked”, “appalled” and “horrified” by Richard’s actions.

One member of staff was called into his office and found him standing next to his desk with his trousers and pants down, while another said he showed her explicit photos from his phone during a meeting.

On another occasion, he revealed a video of himself caressing himself, the panel heard.

At times, he appeared apologetic after an incident and was said to have told a female staff member that he “couldn’t help myself”.

In total, five women who worked with Richards reported that he had exposed himself to them, causing them to fear reporting him.

The hearing was told that Richards had not returned the laptop as requested during the internal investigation.

The panel heard it was the laptop he used to show nude photos of his genitals.

The women feared they would not be believed if they told about his actions – and one said she felt justified in that belief when South Wales Police were alerted, but decided there was no criminal case to answer in late 2021, the panel was told.

She told the hearing that she felt the school and police had disrespected her, and that she was upset that Richards was able to resign from his position pending an internal investigation after being suspended in 2021.

She said she felt silenced, while the man who exposed himself to her and others seemed to “get away with it”.

Chair Ms Davis said Richards had declined to be interviewed for an independent internal investigation into the school in 2021.

He had also claimed through his union that he could not be interviewed due to ill health affecting his cognitive and physical abilities.

However, a fraud team from Swansea Council followed Richards after he claimed to be ill and filmed him driving and going golfing with a group of friends, the panel heard.

EWC presenting officer, Sarah Lewis, said it was a serious feature of how he not only abused his position of trust, but also told his frightened victims not to say anything.

The panel said it had no information about his current work, or whether he wanted to attempt to return to the teaching profession, but said they had no option but to remove him from the EWC register.

The panel ruled that Richard cannot apply to be considered for reinstatement on the register until at least November 2040.

They have the right to appeal against the decision in the High Court within 28 days.

South Wales Police have been contacted for comment.