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A young woman, referred to as Meg to protect her identity, has come forward claiming she was groomed by Neil Foden, a former headteacher at Ysgol Friars in Bangor, Gwynedd. Meg, who was 14 years old when the grooming occurred in 2023, describes enduring nightmares and flashbacks as a result. Although she states that Foden did not physically or sexually assault her, the psychological impact of his conduct has been profound and lasting.
Meg’s allegations emerged amid revelations that Foden was convicted and sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2024 for multiple sexual offences involving young girls. During her time at the school, Meg was offered unofficial one-on-one “therapy sessions” by Foden as he presented himself as offering support while she struggled with school difficulties. She attended 17 such sessions, during which she grew to trust him despite feeling unable to refuse or disclose the meetings, as Foden instructed her to keep them secret from her parents. Reflecting on her experience, Meg stated, “Grooming is not just touching, it controls your mind. He was controlling my mind. He was playing a game.”
The issue of safeguarding failures at Ysgol Friars was highlighted in a Child Practice Review published in November 2025. The report identified over 50 missed opportunities to intervene and prevent Foden’s abuse, criticizing both the council, Cyngor Gwynedd, and the school’s leadership team. It revealed that senior school staff had expressed serious concerns about Foden’s behaviour, including comments about him frequently holding hands with young girls and taking pupils home. Internal messages referenced a “new girl,” who Meg believes was herself, correlating with the timing of her sessions. Despite these warning signs, no referral was made to Gwynedd Children’s Services, which the review described as a critical failure to act on safeguarding responsibilities.
Following the report, Cyngor Gwynedd acknowledged these shortcomings and issued an apology to victims, pledging to improve safeguarding measures and provide support to those affected by Foden’s actions. However, Meg, now 17, has faced additional challenges after seeking compensation for therapy and mental health support. Insurers representing the council have stated there is “no legal liability” tied to her claim, arguing her case does not meet the threshold for compensation because there was no physical contact. Meg described this response as “heartbreaking,” emphasizing that the mental health impact of grooming should not be dismissed due to lack of physical abuse. She continues to cope with depression, PTSD, and anxiety, relying on medication as she tries to rebuild the future that was compromised
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