“TEMPORARY leadership” will continue into the new academic year at a Bangor secondary school whose former headteacher was jailed for child sex abuse in July.

Neil Foden, 67, who was head of secondary school of Ysgol Friars, was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of 19 sexual offences in May.

He was suspended from his post following his initial charges last September.

The school had advertised the position of headteacher at Ysgol Friars, initially with a start date of September 2024, but this has now been put back to next January.

David Healey has assumed the role of acting headteacher.

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A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Temporary leadership arrangements continue to be in place at Ysgol Friars and the school is being supported by the Gwynedd local education authority.”

After a three-week trial, a jury found Foden guilty of the following offences on May 15:

  • 12 counts of sexual activity with a child.
  • Two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
  • Causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
  • Possessing indecent images of a child.
  • Sexual assault of a child.
  • Sexual communication with a child.
  • Attempting to arrange the commission of a child sexual offence.

A council spokesperson previously said: “We have been appalled by the nature of the crimes committed by Neil Foden and our thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families at this difficult time.

“We commend and admire the remarkable courage and resilience they have displayed by coming forward and throughout the criminal trial.”

Following the conclusion of criminal proceedings, the North Wales Safeguarding Board has started a Child Practice Review, with which Gwynedd Council said it is co-operating “fully”.

Jan Pickles OBE, a registered social worker who has worked with the probation service, police and NSPCC, is the review’s independent chair for the Child Practice Review.