Last term, a friend of mine was approached by the head of a local private pre-prep school to cover a temporary part-time teaching post to cover someone's maternity leave. The Head had heard from another parent that she'd been a teacher five years previously, and gave her a very informal interview where she offered her the job on the spot. She wasn't asked for any references and, despite the fact that she's been teaching at the school for nearly a term now, she's never been asked to undergo a police check. Although my child doesn't go to this school, as a parent, I was frankly quite shocked that someone could be given a job working with children without any background checks. I'm sure my friend is perfectly ok, but since all the stuff in the news tonight about the Soham trial, it made me wonder whether other staff at the school ? the other teachers, the support staff, the bloke who takes the kids for PE and swimming, etc. are similiarly unchecked.
I know private schools aren't covered by Ofsted in the same way as state schools, but surely there must be some official body making sure that dodgy people don't get to work with children in the private sector.
Do you think I ought to mention this to someone? and if so, who?