Joy Ballard, the former headteacher of Willows High School who featured in the Channel 4 documentary Educating Cardiff, has been banned from teaching after a tribunal found she changed school term dates to go on a cruise holiday and used school funds for personal purchases.
The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel ruled that Ballard, 59, altered term dates in autumn 2023 and spring 2024 to accommodate a cruise, which had a 'significant impact' on attendance. She also used a school-funded Peugeot 5008 for personal trips, including a family holiday to France and pub visits.
Ballard admitted to buying a karaoke machine, two televisions, and camping equipment with school funds between April 2021 and October 2022, describing the camping scheme as a 'waste of taxpayer's money'. The panel found these purchases were of limited benefit to the school but not dishonest.
The panel concluded Ballard's actions were dishonest and lacked integrity, noting she 'knowingly and dishonestly changed the dates of the term time for personal benefit'. Despite receiving around 50 character statements praising her as an 'exceptional leader', the panel found her guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.
Ballard, who won a Pearson Teaching Award in 2015, was banned from teaching indefinitely but may apply for the prohibition order to be lifted in June 2028.
