A FORMER Bangor headteacher who was jailed for child sex abuse earlier this year did not resign from his role until a week into his trial.

Neil Foden, the 67-year-old former head of Ysgol Friars, was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment in July, having been convicted after trial of 19 sexual offences.

But a Freedom of Information request, made by Newyddion S4C, has today (October 7) revealed that Foden was still employed by Gwynedd Council when his trial started on April 22.

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The texts former Bangor head Neil Foden sent one of his child victims

Foden did not, in fact, resign from his role until April 30, Gwynedd Council’s response said.

His offences involved four child victims, and dated between 2019 and 2023.

He was initially arrested at his place of work in September 2023, before being remanded in custody.

A permanent replacement for Foden as headteacher of Ysgol Friars has not yet been appointed, with the school operating under “temporary leadership”.

The vacancy has been advertised, initially with a start date of September 2024, but this has now been put back to next January.

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.

Alongside her, the board has also commissioned two independent reviewers from outside the North Wales region who have experience of safeguarding in schools.

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.