Our pupils will be safe (From Stroud News and Journal)

Our pupils will be safe

CHILDREN returning returning to school this week will be safe despite 260 outstanding criminal record checks on teachers and other staff, Gloucestershire County Council has assured parents. County Cllr Ruth Sheppard, portfolio holder for education for children and young people assured parents that the safety and protection of pupils was the council's most important priority. "The checks that the Criminal Records Bureau carry out are one of a number of important precautions that take place before any new staff start at our schools," she said. "Other steps include carrying out checks on employment references, confirmation of identity, qualifications and experience, medical fitness and asylum and immigration checks. "We believe these precautions will make sure that the new school year will begin in a positive manner and we have not been advised of any school that will have to close or send children home but schools will obviously advise parents if the situation changes," added Cllr Sheppard. And she had the following advice for head teachers: "Teaching staff moving to Gloucestershire from another local education authority should be allowed to begin teaching provided that all other checks have been completed. "Newly qualified staff or people who have had longer than a three month break from teaching, can begin work as long as head teachers can secure adequate supervision and there is no one-to-one contact with pupils. Viv Warren, head teacher of Archway School and chairman of Gloucestershire's Association of Secondary Head Teachers commented. "It is crucial that we take care of our children but it is important to get students into the classroom. We can, I believe, do both. " The county council's approach is sensible and pragmatic. It allows us to effectively manage staff whilst also taking sensible precautions to protect the safety of children."