Menu
20/06/2006
Schools criticised on teacher vetting records
Schools have been criticised for failing to keep records on whether their staff are safe to work with children in a report by the government's education watchdog.
The report, which looked at 58 schools in England, found that all schools and local authorities involved in the recruitment of staff displayed "a high commitment to protecting children" and were "highly motivated in making thorough checks".
However, the report also found that when staff were in place, few schools and local authorities kept a secure, reliable and accessible record of List 99, the list of those people regarded as unsuitable to work with children, or Criminal Records Bureau checks.
The report claimed that few schools could prove that they had carried out checks on teaching staff. It also criticised police procedures for overseas teaching staff, claiming they were not "robust" and criticised ministers for failing to insist by law that teacher supply agencies vetted all staff.
The report had been commissioned by former Education Secretary Ruth Kelly during the row over sex offenders being cleared to work in schools.
Chief Inspector of Schools, Maurice Smith, said: "Schools and local authorities must keep up-to-date and reliable records to prove that the necessary checks on staff have been carried out.
"Currently, everybody thinks that somebody else is doing this or that it is somebody else's job when, in fact, hardly anybody has secure evidence that any of the simplest tasks have been completed at all, or when."
Responding to the report, Education Secretary Alan Johnston announced to the Commons that staff vetting procedures in schools would be tightened and would be checked as part of regular Ofsted inspections.
However, the National Confederation for Parent Teacher Associations said that it was outraged by the findings of the Ofsted report.
Spokesperson Margaret Morrissey said: "After last time, when it was revealed that adults with convictions for sex offences were able to continue working as teachers, parents believed they would make it safe. They must now realise you just can't issue guidelines - you've got to have laws."
(KMcA)
The report, which looked at 58 schools in England, found that all schools and local authorities involved in the recruitment of staff displayed "a high commitment to protecting children" and were "highly motivated in making thorough checks".
However, the report also found that when staff were in place, few schools and local authorities kept a secure, reliable and accessible record of List 99, the list of those people regarded as unsuitable to work with children, or Criminal Records Bureau checks.
The report claimed that few schools could prove that they had carried out checks on teaching staff. It also criticised police procedures for overseas teaching staff, claiming they were not "robust" and criticised ministers for failing to insist by law that teacher supply agencies vetted all staff.
The report had been commissioned by former Education Secretary Ruth Kelly during the row over sex offenders being cleared to work in schools.
Chief Inspector of Schools, Maurice Smith, said: "Schools and local authorities must keep up-to-date and reliable records to prove that the necessary checks on staff have been carried out.
"Currently, everybody thinks that somebody else is doing this or that it is somebody else's job when, in fact, hardly anybody has secure evidence that any of the simplest tasks have been completed at all, or when."
Responding to the report, Education Secretary Alan Johnston announced to the Commons that staff vetting procedures in schools would be tightened and would be checked as part of regular Ofsted inspections.
However, the National Confederation for Parent Teacher Associations said that it was outraged by the findings of the Ofsted report.
Spokesperson Margaret Morrissey said: "After last time, when it was revealed that adults with convictions for sex offences were able to continue working as teachers, parents believed they would make it safe. They must now realise you just can't issue guidelines - you've got to have laws."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 September 2011
Business Records Checks Programme Extended
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced an extension of its Business Records Checks programme. Business Records Checks were piloted earlier this year in eight key areas, and involve checks on the adequacy of small and medium-sized enterprises' business records.
Business Records Checks Programme Extended
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced an extension of its Business Records Checks programme. Business Records Checks were piloted earlier this year in eight key areas, and involve checks on the adequacy of small and medium-sized enterprises' business records.
13 March 2014
Three Teaching Staff Arrested Over 'Extreme' Pornography
Three men employed by two schools in Birmingham have been arrested on suspicion of possessing extreme pornography. According to a report by the BBC, one of the men works at Park View School, Alum Rock, and the other at Golden Hillock School, Sparkhill. It is understood that the men are teachers or teaching staff, police reported.
Three Teaching Staff Arrested Over 'Extreme' Pornography
Three men employed by two schools in Birmingham have been arrested on suspicion of possessing extreme pornography. According to a report by the BBC, one of the men works at Park View School, Alum Rock, and the other at Golden Hillock School, Sparkhill. It is understood that the men are teachers or teaching staff, police reported.
08 April 2003
Do not ignore Iraq issue headteachers warned
Leaders of multi-ethnic and Muslim schools have urged headteachers to regard the Iraq war as an opportunity to campaign for greater respect of different beliefs and faiths – and not to tip-toe around issues of religious and racial identity.
Do not ignore Iraq issue headteachers warned
Leaders of multi-ethnic and Muslim schools have urged headteachers to regard the Iraq war as an opportunity to campaign for greater respect of different beliefs and faiths – and not to tip-toe around issues of religious and racial identity.
16 February 2005
Specialist schools improving faster than other schools
Specialist schools are performing better than other schools in England, a report by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has reported. The education watchdog found that pupils in specialist schools have performed better at GCSEs since 1998 and the rate of improvement in GCSE results was also faster in these schools.
Specialist schools improving faster than other schools
Specialist schools are performing better than other schools in England, a report by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has reported. The education watchdog found that pupils in specialist schools have performed better at GCSEs since 1998 and the rate of improvement in GCSE results was also faster in these schools.
27 June 2005
NHS staff sickness levels among highest in UK
Nursing ward staff take more sick days than most other public sector workers, the Healthcare Commission has reported. According to the Commission’s latest report, an average of 16.8 days per ward staff member a year are lost to sickness, compared to 11.
NHS staff sickness levels among highest in UK
Nursing ward staff take more sick days than most other public sector workers, the Healthcare Commission has reported. According to the Commission’s latest report, an average of 16.8 days per ward staff member a year are lost to sickness, compared to 11.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
