Neil Foden Sentencing – Statement by Councillor Beca Brown, Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet Member for Education

As Cabinet Member for Education on Cyngor Gwynedd – and as a mother – I have followed the case of former headteacher Neil Foden with alarm, and have been disgusted with what he has done. 

I welcome today's sentencing and hope the result brings some peace to the victims and their families.

What happened to the girls Neil Foden abused is nothing short of a tragedy.

Details of the lessons to be learnt will become apparent when the North Wales Safeguarding Board review reports, and I commit to implementing whatever recommendations they make.

But in the meantime, it is clear to me that these girls have been let down. Every child has the fundamental right to be safe, and to be safe at school. These girls should never have suffered like this in a place where they were supposed to be receiving education and having positive experiences in a caring, safe environment.

Their courage and firm determination in coming forward to recount their experiences is something I admire deeply. 

There is nothing more important than the safety of children and young people and caring for them during their formative years is one of the greatest responsibilities there is.

The welfare of children and young people is at the top of my priorities, and those of the Council, and in these challenging times where young people are under stress and pressure from many directions, it is important that we all continue to work hard to try and create the best possible circumstances for our youth on their journey through our schools.

Whatever the outcome of the review that is underway, at the centre of all this are young girls who have suffered a horrific experience – and what happened to them should never happen again.

I am eager to collaborate with the review and would welcome any early recommendations or ideas of lessons to be learned going forward from here. 

I welcome the appointment of the independent chair and investigators, who are very experienced in this area, and I want the remit of the review to be broad and thorough with evidence provided by all as needed.

Other investigations may also be needed in addition to the current one – a public inquiry, for example. I'd welcome such an inquiry – indeed, I would wish to see one if necessary to reassure parents in Gwynedd that no stone will be left unturned. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

I wish to express unequivocally that I stand with the victims, I thank them for their extraordinary resilience, and I extend my deepest condolences to them, their families and friends.