In a landmark decision on October 22, 2025, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) issued a Prohibition Order against Mark Robertson, a former chef lecturer at Coleg Cambria, resulting in a permanent ban from the teaching profession. The council's ruling followed a series of proven allegations that Robertson engaged in unacceptable professional conduct, including sending a sexually suggestive social media message to a teenage student.

The controversy centered around a "six-inch" comment made by Robertson via Instagram, which he defended as a reference to the animated film *Ratatouille*. However, the panel dismissed this explanation, viewing the message as part of a broader pattern of inappropriate behavior that breached critical teacher-student boundaries.

Additional misconduct included late-night private messages of a sexual nature, inappropriate physical contact with students—such as guiding them by the waist, encouraging them to feel his muscles, and playing with their hair—and making offensive verbal remarks. Robertson was found to have described relationships with students as "friends with benefits" and made other derogatory comments regarding their appearances.

This decision marks a significant stance on the part of the EWC concerning the responsibilities of teachers, emphasizing that their professional obligations extend to their digital interactions. The prohibition order, which permanently removes Robertson from the teaching register, underscores the severity of his actions and the importance of maintaining a professional and respectful environment in educational settings.

The EWC highlighted that the use of private social media platforms like Instagram to communicate personally with students is a clear violation of established safeguarding protocols. This case serves as a critical reminder that educators' personal communications carry the weight of their professional roles, and the boundaries set by the profession must be respected at all times.

Ultimately, the EWC's ruling is a firm declaration that such breaches of conduct will not be tolerated, aiming to uphold public trust and confidence in the educational system while setting a precedent that may deter similar misconduct in the future.