Chaos in schools (From Penarth Times)

Chaos in schools

PENARTH children faced an education system in chaos when they started the new term this week.

Pupils found themselves without teachers due to the huge backlog of checks outstanding at the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

More than 15 staff in the Vale of Glamorgan are waiting for clearance by the CRB - the agency set up by the government to vet employees working with children.

The local authority confirmed the numbers waiting and stressed no teacher can work unless their records are processed.

But they say pupils will not be sent home because of the problem, as many schools are using supply teachers or full-time staff.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: "We are working hard to help resolve the issue but can confirm that any unvetted teachers will not be allowed into schools."

But the timing of the announcement has caused chaos for some. Evenlode School, one of Penarth's largest primary schools, was told less than a day before the start of term that one new teacher would not be allowed to start.

"The Vale of Glamorgan council informed me on the afternoon before school was due to start that on no account was the teacher even to be allowed on the premises," head teacher Alan Jenkins said.

"We are so annoyed. I was left with no option but to find a supply teacher - at our own cost. It could be just for a few days, but it could just as well be for a few weeks.

"We gave the name to the council in May so they have had bags of time.

"I imagine it has an even greater effect on secondary schools. This has been very unsettling both for the children and the teachers."

Vale and Dinas Powys councillor Chris Franks described the situation as "unacceptable" and the delays as "an outrage".

The Vale Plaid Cymru leader said: "In the Vale we are trying hard to improve the educational provision to children. The council is investing heavily in extra staff. The last thing we need is for badly needed teachers to be barred from schools because the government is not doing it's job properly."