Andrew Hewston, a former Ofsted inspector, was unfairly dismissed after wiping rainwater from a child's forehead during an inspection. Initially sacked in 2019 for crossing professional boundaries, the Court of Appeal later ruled in his favor, contrary to Ofsted's position. The judges remarked that his actions were a brief, well-meaning mistake, not indicative of poor professionalism. Mr. Hewston's case reflects the importance of understanding context in disciplinary actions and the need for fair treatment in the professional environment.
Judges unanimously ruled that Mr Hewston was unfairly dismissed, describing the incident as a momentary lapse of professional judgment unlikely to happen again.
The Court of Appeal deemed Ofsted's actions regrettable and recognized Mr Hewston's decade-long experience, advocating for the importance of rational judgment in professional settings.
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