Long list of safeguarding failures regarding ex-school headteacher Neil Foden results in abuse of four girls
Who is Neil Foden and what did he do?
Neil Foden of Gwynant, Old Colwyn, Wales, is a former headteacher of Ysgol Friars. Foden, 66 at the time of conviction, received a 17 year prison sentence in 2024. He was convicted of 19 charges regarding four female victims, including:
- 12 counts of sexual activity with a child
- 2 counts of sexual activity with a child in a position of trust
- Causing or inciting child sexual activity
- Attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence
- Sexual communication with a child
- Possession of indecent photographs of a child
- Sexual assault of a child
This shocking list of crimes resulted in a 17 year jail sentence, with no consideration of release until 2/3 of his time is served. The judge also imposed a sexual harm prevention order for life, alongside a ten-year restraining order which prohibits him from making contact with his victims.
Senior investigating officer statement
Detective Chief Inspector Sophie Chance, who was the Senior Investigating Officer throughout the case, stated:
“Neil Foden carried out a targeted and predatory campaign against vulnerable children.
“I would like to recognise the work of those in my investigation team and our CPS partners who have worked tirelessly to pursue this case and ensure he has been brought to justice.
“I extend my thanks to colleagues from the SARC who were instrumental in supporting the victims, without who the offending of Neil Foden would not have come to light.”
The full North Wales Police statement can be read here.
Gwynedd Child Practice Review findings
After the Criminal Justice process concluded upon Neil Foden’s conviction, a Child Practice review was commissioned. In November of 2025, the review was published, entitled ‘Our Bravery Brought Justice’.
The Cyngor Gwynedd Council leader said the authority took responsibility for the mistakes and missed opportunities when it came to stopping Foden from committing his crimes.
Key points in the 108 page report include:
- Report spanned events between January 2017 to 30th September 2023, with one historical allegation from 1979 coming to light
- 52 safeguarding concerns were found to have been raised but not acted upon
- Repeated warnings were either ignored or inadequately addressed
- Concerns were first raised in 2018 but continued until Foden’s arrest in 2023
The Gwynedd Child Practice Review has now concluded.
Who can I turn to for help?
Regardless of how much time has passed, survivors of physical and sexual abuse are never alone. If you are struggling to cope and are going through a particularly tough time, if you can – turn to love and support of family and friends.
Even if you feel like you may have nobody to discuss your difficulties with, there are people available who can provide you with support, guidance and signposting to help deal with past and present traumas.
Charities and organisations to reach out to:
Local Support for Wales:
In an absolute emergency and failing all else, contact the emergency services by calling 999.
Oakwood Solicitors – The experts in justice for Abuse Claims
Oakwood Solicitors’ in-house team of specialists has many years of combined experience in pursuing compensation from authorities, organisations and individuals, regarding physical and sexual abuse. Your voice needs to be heard, and we are on hand to offer the support and expertise to enable that to happen.
If you are searching for an historic sexual abuse solicitor, look no further than our team of experts in historic physical and sexual abuse claims. We handle all sexual assault matters in the strictest confidence, and you can be assured that you will be treated with the dignity and respect you deserve.
Contact us on 0113 200 9720 for a completely impartial, no-obligation discussion about historic abuse claims.
Is any investigation into Neil Foden currently ongoing?
Neil Foden is now behind bars where he can’t hurt anyone, and the Gwynedd Child Practice Review has concluded following the investigation by North Wales Police. The focus of the review covered the period between January 2017 and the 30th of September 2023.
Now that the Child Practice Review has come to an end, it is up to the police, local authority, and health (or other) bodies to use this information to safeguard against future failures, and address past systematic oversights and failures which allowed the abuse to continue in the first place.
Can I still report sexual or physical abuse to the police?
If you feel ready and comfortable to do so, you can report physical or sexual abuse (or any other crime) to the police at any time. If you have worries about the effect this may have on your mental wellbeing, speak to your GP or healthcare practitioner for help, advice and reassurance.
How does Physical and Sexual Abuse happen in an education setting?
Unfortunately, a great number of factors can contribute towards abuse happening in an education setting. Teachers and staff spend a great deal of time with students, and sadly a small minority of these people can take advantage of their position and prey on innocent and vulnerable children under their care.
This is why proper safeguarding, thorough checks and a confidence to be able to voice concerns are vital not only in schools and care facilities, but every setting where responsibility over others takes place.
A properly executed safeguarding system may sadly not be able to prevent incidents altogether, but they can help to minimise them as much as possible and lead to action being taken a great deal sooner.
Sexual Assault is a crime
Individuals, whether they be staff, visitors, students or parents, when on school property, are under the care of either a Local Authority, governing body or academy trust depending on the establishment in question. Sexual and physical assault is a crime and is never acceptable, and survivors deserve to be heard.
If at all possible, report any incident of assault or abuse (or any other crime) to the police so it can be officially logged and looked into. It will also help a lot if you eventually decide to take legal action.
Schools have a duty of care to protect children and staff so they can go about their lives in safety. When this duty of care is breached, they open themselves up to legal repercussions.
Am I eligible to make a claim?
If you have been sexually or physically abused, you are entitled to seek justice and compensation. Time limits can be an issue in some aspects of law, but do not be afraid to come forward and make an enquiry. This will all be discussed in full at the very beginning.
Depending on the type of claim or how long ago it occurred, several types of action can be sought, including:
- Criminal law claims via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)
- Claims against the establishment or authority
We have an in-house team of compassionate legal experts, and we are here to ensure that your matter is handled with the dignity and respect you deserve.
Contact our team on 0113 200 9720 for an no-obligation enquiry about making a no-win, no-fee claim for compensation for sexual or physical abuse.
What compensation can I claim for?
Civil claims for sexual or physical abuse can include the following types of compensation:
- General damages – An award of money for the abuse/assaults themselves and for the pain, suffering and any psychological effects.
- Special damages – An award for any specific financial losses we can prove, such as loss of earnings or the costs of any treatment or counselling.
- Aggravated damages – An additional award of money in certain cases where the court considers that there has been additional distress caused by the manner in which the abuse occurred.
Your case-handler will be able to walk you through every step of the process and answer any questions or ease any concerns you may have. Each case is completely unique, and therefore it must be handled in a way that suits you best as an individual.
How can Oakwood Solicitors help?
At Oakwood Solicitors, we have years of experience working with survivors of sexual and physical abuse. We have a trauma-informed approach, ensuring that we approach each individual case understanding the impact that trauma can have.
We offer:
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Free, confidential initial advice
- No-win, no-fee on accepted cases
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Extensive experience with Historical Sexual Abuse cases
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We are partnered with Trauma to Triumph.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I sue for for sexual abuse that happened at school?
Yes, you can. It can take many years to come to terms with abuse before deciding to take action. Our team will talk through this with you upon your initial enquiry to make sure you are comfortable and happy to proceed.
- It’s been years since I left school. Am I still eligible to make a claim?
Most claims for abuse in education are actually brought many years after the abuse occurred. It is part of our job to investigate the school and establish whether it still exists.
Sometimes educational establishments change their name, have a change of ownership or move to a different address.
It may be that the school closed many years ago and the building has been demolished, but this does not necessarily mean that you cannot claim.
Our solicitors are experienced in investigating historic abuse claims. We will undertake thorough enquiries to work out who the claim should be brought against and to obtain the information we need to pursue the case.
- I was a troublemaker at school and my record might reflect this. Will it go against me?
Certainly not! It is not unusual for a child or young person at school who is suffering abuse to ‘go off the rails’ or for their school performance or behaviour to decline.
In fact, evidence of this in your records can often support your case if the timing fits with when you say the abuse was happening.
Having reported an incident to the police could help your case going forward. It is never too late to report such a crime. Other evidence can include witnesses, diary entries, trips to the GP, counselling visits or other related healthcare appointments.
Our team will work to gain other records that may help your case, all of which will be fully discussed with you.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you experienced sexual abuse at school or in an educational facility, regardless of how long ago, our specialist abuse claim solicitors can help. Contact our team of experts on 0113 200 9720 for a confidential, compassionate, free initial claim assessment.
Molly Frost joined the Firm in June 2024 and specializes in abuse compensation claims. Having over 20 years’ experience helping survivors recover compensation, she is considered an expert in her fie…
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