Joy Ballard: Headteacher who starred in Educating Cardiff struck off for changing term dates so she could go on luxury cruises

A headteacher who became publicly known through the Channel 4 series Educating Cardiff He was banned from the profession after a misconduct panel found he had changed school term dates to go on luxury cruise holidays.

Joy Ballard, 59, was found guilty of a number of allegations including twice changing term dates to accommodate her trips, using a school vehicle for a personal trip to France and using school funds to buy a karaoke machine, television and camping equipment.

The panel heard Ms Ballard developed a “toxic culture of fear” at Ryde Academy on the Isle of Wight, where senior staff were too intimidated to raise concerns about her behaviour.

Ms Ballard came to prominence in 2015 when she was headteacher at Willows High School in Cardiff, appearing in the popular documentary series.

In September of the same year, he took over as principal of Ryde Academy, part of Lift Schools.

His actions were deemed “unacceptable professional conduct” that fell short of the standards expected of the profession, which led to his dismissal.

He was found to have been using a Peugeot 5008, purchased by the school for £30,000, for regular personal trips between July 2022 and June 2024.

The car was bought for the school because using taxis to transport children ‘costs a fortune’.

However, he was seen using the vehicle “very frequently” on weekends, evenings and breaks, and was found to have covered 22,000 miles in its first year.

He was also seen using the car for commuting to work and used it for a family holiday to France in Easter 2024.

They initially refused to take the car across the Channel, but a booking reference for a ferry from Portsmouth to Caen was found containing the car’s registration details.

The misconduct hearing also revealed that Ms. Ballard changed the date of the end of the fall 2023 semester and the spring 2024 semester to accommodate her personal family vacation.

A “breaking news” staff bulletin was sent out highlighting the change in dates.

Ms Ballard acknowledged changing the dates to accommodate her ship docking on January 3, 2024.

He didn’t show up for work that day and tagged himself in a Facebook post from the cruise terminal.

It was also found that he left the INSET day early to go on another cruise on February 10, 2023.

Miss Ballard also admitted using school funds to buy camping equipment by lying to staff about a £10,000 grant the school had received.

This equipment consisted of five tents and nine air mattresses.

He later admitted that the project was a “disaster” and a “waste of taxpayers’ money”.

He also admitted to buying a karaoke machine. X Factor-write down events and one or more televisions.

He also admitted that he did not follow the correct procedures for collecting and banking school money during his time at the school.

Some processes at the school were seen to be “chaotic”.

His actions regarding the car and changing the due dates were found to be dishonest and lacking in integrity.

In 2024, he “stepped back” from his role when his picture was suddenly removed from school newsletters sent to parents.

Concerns were raised and an investigation began in March of the same year. He retired from the school in August 2024 before being referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

Ms. Ballard was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and is currently suspended from work.

Testimonials from colleagues said he had a good previous teaching record and provided evidence that he was an “inspiring leader”.

However, the TRA found that he “did not demonstrate exceptionally high standards in his personal and professional conduct.”

He also won the Pearson Teaching Award in 2015.

a fan Educating Cardiff He contacted the court to give Miss Ballard a positive reference, saying: “Your handling of some of the children was outstanding. Your patience, kindness, stepping back and assessing the situation was incredible.”

Richard Young, who chaired the TRA hearing, said: “The panel considered that this showed that Ms Ballard knew that she was doing this dishonestly and that her use of the car in this way could provide her with a benefit in kind.

“The panel considered the evidence showing that Ms Ballard knowingly and dishonestly changed the dates of term time for personal gain.

“The panel noted that Ms Ballard, as an experienced headteacher, would understand the consequences of this and that a personal reason would not be a good enough reason to change term dates.

“If parents and the community were aware that a principal was using his position in this way, they would find it truly alarming.

“The lack of financial planning and management involved in the purchase of the camping equipment and karaoke machine meant that these purchases were a waste of the School’s funds and would bring the profession into disrepute.

“The panel considered that the public expects principals to act with complete integrity and honesty and that the chaotic cash management system at the School has led to suspicion by staff at the school who must trust their principals.

“The panel considered that if the conduct identified against Ms Ballard was not treated with the utmost seriousness in regulating the conduct of the profession, public confidence in the profession could be seriously undermined.

“Miss Ballard appeared on the television program Educating CardiffMs Ballard described it as ‘audacious’.

“The panel accepted his explanation that he did this to promote the school and showcase its students, despite it being described as one of the ‘most challenging schools’ in the country.”

Marc Cavey, decision-maker for the Secretary of State, said: “The findings of misconduct are serious because they include a headteacher acting dishonestly and without integrity.

“The lack of evidence that Ms Ballard has developed a full understanding of her actions means that I agree with the panel that there is a risk of this behavior being repeated.”

Educating Cardiff It is an eight-part documentary series, the fourth episode of Channel 4. Trainer follow up series Training the Essex, Training the Yorkshire And Educating the East End.