School chaos (From Barry And District News)

School chaos

BARRY schoolchildren faced an education system in chaos when they started the new term this week.

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

Over fifteen staff within 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 have confirmed the numbers waiting, and stressed that no teacher will be able to 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 already working at the site.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman told the News: "We are working hard to try and resolve the issue. But we can confirm that any unvetted teachers will not be allowed into schools."

But some schools are still unsure how to act.

Financial and Administrative Manager at Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School, Penny Mickelsen, told the News:

"The messages from the council seem to be increasingly confused. We are still waiting to find out what is meant to be happening when lessons start. When I spoke to the council on Monday, they said they were still waiting for checks to be returned for two of our teachers.

They told us these teachers shouldn't be allowed into the school under any circumstances. Then they told us (on Tuesday) that the unchecked teachers could teach, as long as they were under supervision."

She added: "This is an extra hassle at a very busy time of year. It is generating a lot of work for the school."

But it's not all bad news. Ysgol Llanilltud FawrIt were lucky enough for all the outstanding CRB checks to come back a day before the start of school.

Headteacher, Mike Norton, says the criminal record checks usually present no problems at all.

"We have had a lot of difficulties," he admitted.

"We actually rang the education department at the Vale of Glamorgan Council ourselves, because we know they have been rushed off their feet. Like the CRB, people are having to work night and day to get the checks done."