The unit’s former deputy head said there were not enough classrooms or qualified teachers, outdoor space was unsafe and troubled children often had violent outbursts
18:36, 27 Jan 2026
The former deputy headteacher of a pupil referral unit has described how the site was used as a “holding place” for badly behaved children kicked out of other schools.
Neil Evans said there were not enough qualified teachers or classrooms at North Powys PRU in Newtown. The limited outdoor space needed upgrading when he was there and staff worried that pupils spent time in a nearby churchyard which was known for drug use and strewn with discarded needles.
These were just some of the reasons that former headteacher Nick Ratcliffe, who is being investigated for alleged dishonest misuse of funds, bought tools for upgrades as well as bikes, GoPro cameras and technical equipment to help pupils outcomes, Mr Evans told a professional standards committee hearing.
Regulating body the Education Workforce Council Wales has brought allegations of “dishonesty” amounting to unacceptable professional conduct against Mr Ratcliffe for inappropriate use of the PRU’s funds between 2019 and 2022. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here
An investigation was launched after a whistleblower raised concerns about what Mr Ratcliffe was buying. The former head did not follow the correct buying procedures and/or financial regulations and did not consistently obtain itemised or VAT receipts, it is alleged.
He denies all the allegations brought against him other than buying alcohol as staff Christmas gifts and food for a staff Christmas meal.
Giving evidence on the sixth day of the EWC fitness to practise panel on January 27 Mr Evans, who worked at the unit from 2008 to 2025, described Mr Ratcliffe as an “honest” and capable head. He had improved the PRU, the building and pupil outcomes.
The former deputy said the building in Newtown was structurally poor and had been further damaged by pupils during violent outbursts.
He said that Mr Ratcliffe forged positive relationships with the troubled children excluded from other schools and sent there.
Mr Evans, who came to the PRU as a teaching assistant in 2008 before qualifying as a maths teacher in 2013, became deputy head in 2018 before leaving last year.
“The building was in a bad state of repair,” he told the sixth day of the virtual hearing on January 27.
“Pupils had exceptionally challenging behaviour with frequent verbal and physical abuse towards staff and frequent absconding.
“The building was wholly inappropriate. Outdoor space was limited and unsafe.”
Some children arriving at the school in years nine and GCSE year 10, aged 13 to 15, had the academic ability of children half their age. Some had bad experiences at home and in mainstream education, there were “huge gaps in their learning” and some were neurodiverse.
But the former headteacher had “a clear vision” and brought more stability and better progress for children at the PRU, the hearing was told.
Mr Ratcliffe had improved standards in “extremely challenging circumstances”, said his former deputy.
“He worked to improve the outside area and security. We had only four classrooms and five qualified teachers. Facilities were extremely limited. But expectations were comparable to mainstream schools. Many pupils came with awful experiences of school,” Mr Evans told the hearing.
Defending purchases of tools with the PRU funds he said these had been done to improve the outdoor area and classes were involved in this work. The tools were also used in DT lessons.
Although there was a science laboratory it had limited equipment and practical lessons were tricky given risks with some pupils. Technical kit had been appropriately bought for practical work instead.
Mr Evans said bikes had been bought with the school funds but there was inadequate training for staff to take pupils out on them much. GoPros bought had been used though.
The purchases had been made “in good faith to improve the safety and outcomes for an exceptionally vulnerable cohort of pupils”.
He said the pupils benefited from Mr Ratcliffe’s approach and that since he left, the PRU had been “struggling”.
And he levelled criticism at what he said was a system which had shunted children with behavioural problems from one school to another without a plan.
“A lot of children from a certain school came to us. It felt like mainstream schools were taking a pocket of pupils that were underperforming and causing trouble and they were just moved to us without any regard other than taking the problem from one school to another.
“I remember five or six coming to us from one school and the behaviour they were exhibiting.”
He added: “Before Nick Ratcliffe arrived (as head) we were firefighting. We were told they (the children) could not be excluded whatever their behaviour. It felt for us, feeling we were a drop off centre for left behind kids and there was no plan.
“Nick wanted to change things for the kids and not just be a PRU as a holding place. He wanted to add value and to educate.”
These comments were echoed by former Powys County Council deputy leader Myfanwy Alexander, who also gave evidence to the hearing.
Ms Alexander, who was on the management board of the PRU at the time and has been a school governor for nearly three decades, defended Mr Ratcliffe’s use of the unit’s funds and how they were overseen.
“At no time had I had concerns about how the unit’s budget was spent,” she said.
She told the EWC hearing there was “nothing careless about the accounts” but said the head was trusted to spend them appropriately and had done so.
When he wanted money for power tools to improve the outdoor space a budget had been given without him having to itemise exactly what he was buying.
There was concern that if pupils were confined to an inadequate Victorian building between a car park and a railway track they would spend time in the nearby churchyard “where people would supply them with narcotics”.
All purchases had been overseen by council senior staff who also agreed funding, she told the EWC. Food was bought for pupils because they often arrived hungry. Teddy bears had been bought as soothing toys for emotionally dysregulated children.
“Purchases were made with care. No purchases were lightly made,” she told the panel.
Describing Mr Ratcliffe as “an outstanding professional” Ms Alexander said some of the children he cared for were highly troubled and needed the supportive approach he took.
“You could describe them as young offenders. Many were involved in substance misuse. In many cases their family circumstances were indescribably difficult.”
The committee also heard a glowing reference from Mr Ratcliffe’s current employer Amberleigh Care in Welshpool.
The former head teacher is now a deputy manager at the privately run home for boys aged 11 to 18. Michelle Russell from Amberleigh said Mr Ratcliffe is a well respected member of staff whose job includes dealing with petty cash and purchases and there were no concerns.
The hearing continues.
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