Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleEllie NgFriday 03 July 2026 15:12 BSTJoy Ballard featured in Channel 4 show Educating Cardiff (Channel 4)An award-winning former headteacher, Joy Ballard, has been banned from the teaching profession after a tribunal found she deliberately altered school term dates at Ryde Academy to accommodate a personal cruise holiday.The tribunal also discovered that Mrs Ballard used school funds to purchase a Peugeot car for personal use, along with a karaoke machine, two televisions and camping equipment during her tenure at the Isle of Wight school.Mrs Ballard, who previously featured in Channel 4 show Educating Cardiff and won a Pearson Teaching Award, admitted to not being a "rule follower" and justified her actions by stating she aimed to benefit pupils, though she conceded she would not use the school car for personal reasons again.The Teaching Regulation Agency panel concluded that Mrs Ballard acted knowingly and dishonestly for personal benefit, deeming her conduct unacceptable and likely to bring the profession into disrepute.Consequently, she has been prohibited from teaching in any educational setting in England, with the possibility of applying to have the prohibition order lifted in June 2028.More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in