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dismissed by ministers
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Publisher
DON'T ABUSE
for all offences including sexual potential for more witnesses and sonal lives damaged beyond repair ensure that allegations are dealt with
Ben Allen
offences”. fellow sufferers to come forward as a result of false allegations. “quickly, fairly and consistently”.
Editor
MY NAME
The select committee published was increased – adding that this Also dismissed by the govern- The Association for School
campaign
Pete Henshaw – 020 7501 6771
its Fifth Report of its investigation was a good argument for refusing ment was another recommendation and College Leaders said that the
pete.henshaw@markallengroup.
into allegations against school anonymity. by the committee questioning the response was encouraging, but did
com
Philip Parkin, general secretary need for a “lengthy investigation of not go far enough.
Deputy editor
by Chris Parr
staff in July, and the government
released its official response to the of the Voice union, said that nam- an allegation by local authority social Martin Ward, deputy general
David Taylor – 020 7501 6772
U
SE
M
Y
committee’s recommendations on ing teachers accused of abusing services if a police investigation has secretary, said: “It is good that the
david.taylor@markallengroup.com Greater anonymity for teachers Monday (November 2). children left them open to trial by concluded that no crime has been government has accepted a need to
Chief reporter under in
T
v
A
B
estigation
N
'
following The government response media, and in danger of having their committed, or that there is no case review its guidance for practition-
Chris Parr – 020 7501 6750
allegations
N
by pupils is as far away went on to state that school staff reputation irreparably damaged. to answer”. ers, but it is not clear that proposed
Illustrator
as ever, afte
O
M
A
r
D
minister
E
s dismissed should not be treated differently He added: “An investigation is The government said that if a changes will go far enough. The
Christos Mais
the idea outright. from other defendants, despite the rightly triggered in situations where police investigation found no case new guidance must strongly rein-
Writing incampaign response to rec- select committee arguing that the an allegation is made, but by the to answer, then although no criminal force the authority of school leaders
Editorial advisory panel
ommendations by the Children, principle of “innocent until prov- time no evidence has been found, offence had been committed, there to determine what is a proportionate
Paul Ainsworth, Deputy
Schools and Families Select en guilty” could be undermined if the damage has already been done was still a need for the local author- and sensible response. Heads should
headteacher, Belvoir High School,
Committee, which said that min- the reputation of the accused staff to the accused’s professional and ity to consider a child’s need for not be put under pressure, as they
Leicestershire. Mark Blois, Browne
isters should consider the case member was sullied by their name personal reputation. Mud sticks.” protection, or for a school to decide are now, to suspend staff and to call
Jacobson. Hilary Moriarty,
for statutory anonymity for staff being made public. Mr Parkin said his union had if disciplinary action was necessary. in children’s services or the police
National director, Boarding
subject to allegations, the govern- However, the committee also dealt with the cases of numerous Ministers did, however, concede for doubtful or minor allegations.”
Schools’ Association. Neill
ment said it was against anonym- acknowledged that by making the innocent teachers and support staff that changes should be made to guid- To read the full response, visit
Morton, Headteacher, Portora ity “during criminal proceedings name of the accused known, the who have had their careers and per- ance for school practitioners, to help www.parliament.uk/csf
Royal School, Enniskillen. Helen
Nurton, Assistant headteacher,
Guildford County School, Surrey. Jo
Smith, Deputy headteacher, Long
Teaching abroad
Youngsters solve murder mystery
Field School, Melton Mowbray.
Tina Stockman, Teacher, Harlaw
Academy, Aberdeen. Ray Tarleton,
Headteacher, South Dartmoor
benefits schools
Community College, Devon. Dr
Bernard Trafford, Headteacher,
The Royal Grammar School,
Newcastle upon Tyne. Simon
back in Britain
Viccars, Headteacher, Leon School
and Sports College, Milton Keynes.
Alex Wood, Headteacher, Wester
Teachers visiting schools abroad Teaching Award for Headteacher of
Hailes Education Centre, Edinburgh
reap huge benefits which they are the Year in a Secondary School in
bringing back to their own schools, 2007, said that she had worked hard
according to a new resource. with her own staff and students to
Sales director
Learning Links, published by adopt a similar value system based
Matt Govett – 020 7501 6735
the international education charity on honour and integrity.
Business development
CfBT Education Trust, describes Ms Haynes added that her school
manager
the experiences of three groups of now encouraged children to do more
Abdul Hayee – 020 7501 6776
Teaching Awards winners who vis- community work, saying: “We had
Classified sales ited CfBT-funded school projects in year 9s teaching primary school les-
Rachel McElhinney – 020 7501 6728 Asia and Africa. sons in geography and all the students
During their trips, the teach- love doing the community work.” Students at a Plymouth secondary school turned detective for the day as part of
Subscription manager ers sought to share their educa- Ms Haynes also highlighted that their BTEC forensic science studies. A fake murder scene was set up at the city’s VUE
Chris Hoskins
tional knowledge and skills with the she was trying to educate her chil- cinema, where the St Boniface’s Catholic College youngsters dusted for fingerprints,
Circulation director
schools they visited. dren about different cultures, and analysed fibre samples and compiled crime scene investigation reports.
Sally Boettcher
One group saw first-hand how had even brought back music per-
schools operated under immense formed by a Singaporean orchestra.
economic pressure in Hyderabad, Dr Geraldine Hutchinson, assist-
Circulation department:
the capital city of the Indian state of ant director at CfBT Education
Tel: 01722 716997
Andhra Pradesh. Trust, said: “The trips offer a unique
Can you make time for the
Fax: 01722 716926
email: subscriptions@
The teachers ran a series of opportunity for teachers to experi-
markallengroup.com
workshops on effective schools, ence very different educational set-
creative teaching, eco-friendly tings, learn new teaching method-
UK annual rates:
behaviour, and nutrition. ologies, and share their own skills
Great Teachers’ Tea Break?
Caroline Haynes, headteacher with teachers overseas.
Personal £50
at Tendring Technology College in “We have found that not only Teachers across the UK are being ers to take a break from their busy time in a busy school day to take a
Institutional (libraries,
Essex, visited Singapore to observe do teachers return from their trips urged to take time out from the working lives to reflect on and breather or catch up with colleagues.
companies etc) £110
the teaching of English and to gain inspired to develop their own teach- challenges of life at the chalkface celebrate their achievements. “Teachers make an invaluable
Europe annual rates:
an insight into how Singaporean ing practices, many also maintain and have a well earned cup of Teachers are also being encour- contribution to society but often go
Personal £92 schools dealt with children who links with the schools they have tea. aged to use the event to help raise unrecognised. The Great Teachers’
Institutional £165 were gifted and talented. visited overseas bringing a new cul- The Teacher Support funds for the TSN, which is a char- Tea Break gives you the opportunity
Rest of world annual rates: Speaking to SecEd, Ms Haynes tural dimension into the classroom Network (TSN) has launched ity that offers telephone and online to come together to recognise and
Personal £113 said: “I was struck with the value for their pupils. The trips often have the Great Teachers’ Tea Break, support for educators, including celebrate your own achievements.”
Institutional £209
system in Singapore, such as the a far wider-reaching effect on both which will see thousands of access to counsellors and personal Staff can take part on any day
emphasis on leadership with honour teachers and learners in all coun- teachers coming together to and professional advice. throughout November and can
Printed by
and doing the right thing.” tries concerned.” celebrate the profession throughout Chief executive, Julian Stanley, register online to access support
Pensord Press, Wales
Since returning, Ms Haynes, For further information, visit November. said: “Teaching is a really challeng- and promotional materials. Visit
who won the East of England region www.cfbt.com The idea is to encourage teach- ing job – and it’s often difficult to find www.teachersupport.info
Published by
Teaching pack launched to aid visually impaired
St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road
A new bilingual teaching pack It consists of seven modules in partnership with RNIB Cymru, about their vision and explain the Centre for Eye Research Australia
Herne Hill, London SE24 0PB
designed to help visually impaired which can be used on their own or will be given free to all special- effects of it to others. They will be at the University of Melbourne, who
www.markallengroup.com
children to make the most of their together to form a complete training ist teachers working with visually shown that there are many sources describes it as the “first comprehen-
sight has been launched in Wales. programme. impaired children across Wales. of support, advice and information, sive and systematic programme of
The Low Vision Toolkit, believed Pupils do not need any prior Training sessions will be held including local societies in their its kind designed to train children
to be one of the first of its kind knowledge to benefit and will learn to ensure the pack is used to its full area and national organisations and and young people to make effective
in the world, was developed by about the importance of lighting, potential to help children use their websites.” use of their vision”.
MA Education Ltd is an independent
Nathan Davies, the Children’s Low colour and contrast, how to use low sight effectively. The pack is aimed at pupils from A person with low vision is
publishing company also responsible
Vision Advocate for Wales, and has vision aids, as well as about eye Gwenda Thomas, deputy min- key stage 1 through to 4 and, accord- defined as someone whose visual
for education titles Early Years
already been piloted with children conditions and where they can get ister for health and social services, ing to RNIB Cymru, will give pupils impairment cannot be dealt with by
Educator and 5to7 Educator.
across the country. support. said: “The new materials are an with sight problems “greater confi- glasses or contact lenses, and which
© All rights reserved. No part of SecEd may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any
It is designed to teach children The teaching resource, which important step forward in helping dence in the classroom”. causes restriction in that person’s
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise without prior written permission of MA Education
with low vision about their sight has been published in English and young people and children who It has been supported by everyday life.
The publisher accepts no responsibility for any views or opinions
expressed in SecEd.
and what they can do to make the Welsh language, is funded by the have low vision in Wales. renowned blindness expert For more information on the
ISSN 1479-7704
most of it. Welsh Assembly government and “It encourages children to learn Professor Jill Keefe, from the pack, visit www.rnib.org.uk
 SecEd • November 5 2009
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