Former Ryde Academy headteacher Joy Ballard defended her behavior and partially accepted responsibility during her resumed Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) hearing on June 2, 2026.
The panel had previously determined her actions amounted to serious professional misconduct.
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Ballard, who waived her right to give oral evidence and submitted a 13-page mitigation statement, appeared emotional while answering questions about allegations she already admitted.
These included using a school vehicle for a personal trip to France and altering academic term dates.
TRA representative Jim Olphert questioned whether she accepted the panel's findings.
Ballard accepted them except regarding the modification of inset days, asserting those dates were still in draft form and had not been distributed to parents.
She maintained she did not intentionally alter dates to accommodate a cruise, though she acknowledged overall responsibility for the scheduling.
When asked if she accepted that her actions were dishonest and lacked integrity, Ballard noted school policies were fluid and changing.
She said she only partially accepted the seriousness of the findings because three other teachers had testified against her.
Regarding the school car used for a holiday in France, Ballard insisted the vehicle was insured but recognized the choice was poor.
"I reflect upon that every day how stupid it was," she said.
Olphert suggested her claims of colleagues plotting against her were attempts to deflect blame, an inference Ballard rejected.
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She maintained she felt ashamed that her initial business use of the vehicle transitioned into personal use.
The former headteacher also disputed Olphert's characterization of her financial decisions as poor, explaining that her innovative choices were intended to benefit students.
"I would do it again," Ballard said.
She further explained her motivations regarding funding allocation on the Isle of Wight.
"I would do anything in my power to keep funds on the Isle of Wight to support kids that need it.
The Island is desperately underfunded," she said.
Ballard expressed frustration over the shifting perception of her leadership approach.
"For what I was once celebrated for, has now become something I am criticised for, apart from the car thing which was an error," she said.
Addressing panel questions about televisions, Ballard stated she organized a raffle to generate funds for the school, noting her brother purchased numerous tickets and won fairly.
"I rigged it," she said.
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Following the conclusion of the hearing, Ballard awaits the final decision on whether she will be barred from the teaching profession.
