Cornwall Street’s Jonathan Storey (instructed by National Education Union Cymru) has preserved the right of a teacher to continue to practise, without restriction, following an eight day contested hearing before a Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (the regulator of teachers in Wales). His client, a teacher from North Wales, was charged with multiple allegations of serious misconduct and serious professional incompetence relating to his teaching, planning, reporting, record keeping and compliance with school procedures over a period of some 18 months.
After nearly two days of deliberations the Committee made very limited factual findings which largely corresponded with the teacher’s admissions. It declined to find him guilty of serious professional incompetence but concluded that some of his wrongdoing amounted to unacceptable professional conduct. After submissions from the EWC’s Presenting Officer and on the teacher’s behalf the Committee accepted Jonathan’s argument that it would be appropriate to take a highly exceptional course, and directed that no disciplinary order be imposed. This means that Jonathan’s client is free to continue to work as a teacher and bears no sanction for the limited misconduct the Committee found proved.
Jonathan is a specialist practitioner in the field of professional regulation and works regularly with teachers, doctors, and other professionals facing disciplinary proceedings at all stages from initial referral to appeal. He is ranked in the leading directories – by Chambers and Partners, in Band 2 for Professional Discipline in the Regions; and by the Legal 500 as a “Rising Star” – and sits as a fitness to practise panellist for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and for Social Care Wales.
Jonathan’s approach to defending professionals charged with misconduct combines persuasive advocacy with highly personalised and compassionate advice and expert support throughout the life of a case. Having worked in education, served several schools as a governor, and trained school leaders and lawyers in matters of education law, he is particularly sought after for his expertise in working with teachers and Heads and is regularly instructed by the major teaching unions and privately.