A former head of an elementary school has been accused of bullying her coworkers and favoring her husband, who was also a teacher at the school.
In 2009, Nicola Blythin was named principal of St. Asaph VP School in North Wales, where she was originally well-liked and respected, according to a colleague.
However, a 2018 questionnaire distributed by the governors identified a number of significant issues under her tenure, including worries that she reportedly overlooked accusations about her husband Graham.
Due to Nicola’s apparent reluctance to address Graham about any of her colleagues’ concerns, the investigation concluded that stress-related absences among employees soared.
Denbighshire County Council initiated an investigation that led to the suspension of both Nicola and Graham.
She is currently the subject of a fitness to practice hearing in relation to seven charges of unprofessional behaviour.
She is not present for the hearing, which is being held remotely.
Graham is involved in a few of the charges, despite the fact that he is not the target of the current lawsuit.
Nicola, who was named principal in 2009, is alleged to have exhibited bullying and/or intimidating behavior toward staff members by ordering them not to discuss their issues with Lynne Pepper, the school’s deputy principal.
She is also accused of soliciting complaints about another staff member from parents and coworkers.
It is also alleged that she failed to attend a school carol concert at St. Asaph Cathedral, leaving three teaching assistants in charge, that she failed to ensure Graham implemented various school systems and initiatives, and that she gave him four afternoons a week for his special needs coordinator duties, when others believed one afternoon was sufficient.
Charlotte Bowers, who became head of the board of governors in 2019, described Nicola as “a wonderful lady who was quite emotional and appeared to be under a great deal of pressure at work.”
She stated that Graham had a ‘loud, booming’ voice, stating, ‘He did appear frightening.’
Mrs. Bowers stated that she contacted the school authority seeking policies addressing husband-and-wife working relationships, but was informed that none were in effect.
“Nicola stated she was having difficulty with their professional relationship, but she did not seek support or direction,” she claimed.
When asked by a panel member how things had altered since the Blythins’ suspension, Mrs. Bowers stated, ‘It was as if a heavy burden had been removed from the school.’
It was deemed to be proceeding in the proper path. It was a nice environment with a lighter mood.
Staff also alleged that Nicola neglected to respond to reports that her husband frequently yelled at students and used excessive force to restrain a five-year-old girl having a tantrum.
Staff also said he allegedly put scissors close to a student’s face and urged a female student to remove her shirt during PE class changes.
Patrick Llewelyn, the presenting officer, stated that the allegations individually and/or collectively constituted unacceptable professional conduct.
Nia Daly, the former assistant principal of the school, shed tears throughout her testimony at the hearing.
She stated that she sought counseling to help her cope with the situation at the school and that she considered leaving the profession altogether.
Mrs. Daly, who is currently the principal of Eglwysbach primary school in the Conwy Valley, stated that she often shed “rivers of tears” at the conclusion of the school day.
Mrs. Daly protested multiple times to Nicola about her husband’s alleged behavior of teaching assistants and students, as evidenced by the fitness to practice hearing.
On one instance, she claimed Graham was’screaming’ at a student so loudly that she and other teachers left their rooms to investigate.
Mrs. Daly claimed that she was once left in tears after being yelled at, and she reported the incident to Nicola, who supposedly said she would speak to her husband.
Nicola supposedly later stated, “I have spoken to him, but he refuses to apologize.”
She suspected that Nicola had turned education officials in Denbighshire, with whom she had previously had a positive connection, against her.
She stated, “I thought my reputation had been soiled at the county level.”
She believed that her only option was to switch schools, and even considered jobs in Bolton and Wolverhampton.
Mrs. Daly stated that on one occasion, Nicola left school early to prepare for her son’s birthday party. Nicola is also accused of frequently leaving school without a valid justification.
Teaching assistants Naomi Foulkes and Danielle Owen made similar charges in their declarations, claiming that Graham got away with improper behavior due to his wife’s position.
Ms. Foulkes said that he referred to other staff members as “b***h” and “cow” in an improper manner.
Ms. Owen asserted, “There was a rift between the Blythins and the rest of the faculty at the institution.”
Mrs. Pepper, who became deputy head in 2019 and acting head when Nicola resigned, was a second witness who described Nicola’s former coworker as “pleasant, knowledgeable, and competent.”
She stated, “The only issue was her reluctance to confront her spouse at work.”
Mrs. Pepper stated that Graham was also “knowledgeable and engaging,” but added, “Graham Blythin pulled strings in the school’s administration and was permitted to do as he pleased.”
The proceedings resume.