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Monday, 15th March 2010

'Independent pupils need equal protection'

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Published Date: 06 June 2009
Teachers who are accused of physical violence towards pupils should be suspended while the claims are investigated, a Northampton MP has said.
A number of parents made complaints about a teacher at St Peter's Independent School, in Blackthorn, last year, including accusations that children had been hit both at school and during a trip to France.

After a police investigation and an inquir
y by the Charity Commission, no charges were made. Headmaster Gerald Smith has since retired.

A Charity Commission report found trustees of the school did not "adequately manage the risks arising from the allegations and complaints".

Now, during a House of Commons debate, Mrs Keeble, Labour MP for Northampton North, criticised the Government loophole that prevented action being taken to intervene at the independent school.

She said: "Children should have the same safeguards whatever type of school they're in and those powers should be exercised locally by the local authority.

"I have to say that getting action on this matter was one of the most difficult, frustrating experiences that I have ever had.

"The aim of this debate is to call on the Government to give children in private schools the same level and type of protection as children in state schools and to ask the Government to close a loophole that leaves directors of children's services unable to intervene in independent schools to protect the welfare and safeguarding of children in the same way as they can intervene in state schools."

Sarah McCarthy-Fry, parliamentary under-secretary for schools and learners, told Mrs Keeble that Northamptonshire County Council was responsible for making safeguarding arrangements in schools.

She added: "I know that some concerns remain about the progress that St Peter's needs to make, with Ofsted highlighting key areas that need to be addressed, including careers guidance and pupil assessment.

"However, the school now appears to have turned a corner following the Ofsted visit."



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  • Last Updated: 06 June 2009 11:52 AM
  • Source: Northampton Chron & Echo
  • Location: Northampton
 
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John Proctor,

06/06/2009 10:33:19
My child has been at St Peter's for the past 8 years and I know the children at the schhol very well. In these eight years there have been no trips to France, and certainly no children hit(the children talk openly to parents and staff and have excellent relationships, and enjoy going to school) So these 'allegations' are from an extremely long time ago - which makes me think of hidden agendas, financial greed and political games. The children at the school enjoy it immensely; they are supported and taught by a dedicated team of staff, who are extremely upset and stressed by this continuing attack on their small school; and I know some of the older children are incredibly upset and angry about their school being spoken about, repeatedly in the press, as they see no bearing on what's being reported and what the school is actually like; it is very frustrating for them. Independent schools have strict child protection regulations; I know this school takes this issue very seriously. Perhaps if pressures of extensive policies, constantly changing, the teachers and the school could actually spend important time with the children - which in my view is paramount, and why parents, as it is their democratic right to, send their children to this school.
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All seeing!!,

06/06/2009 18:15:14
Unfortunately Sally Keeble jumps on any bandwaggon and as usual hasnt got all the facts, politicians need to get their houses in order without putting more pressure on teachers who are the ones trying to maintain discipline in often unmanagegeable and unsupported situations.
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Roger Mellie,

Abington 06/06/2009 20:42:52
If Ms Keeble is so keen for the government to close loopholes, perhaps she could table a motion that they close the loopholes that allowed her to pocket so much expenses money?
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samase,

06/06/2009 22:23:32
i think as sally keeble's address to the houses of parliament, which can be viewed online, contained reference to a number of documents including a letter from the CPS regarding assaults on children that would have been reported to the CPS by the Police, and that Ofsted gave 30 recomendations relating to problems with child protection, that she had the relevent facts and the school obviously had a lot to do to bring their policies up to standard. Now that transparency is the buzzword for all organisations including the charities commission, all reports can be downloaded and they do not make for a pleasant picture of school life in this establishment
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AnonPupil,

06/06/2009 22:35:28
School life at this school is (and always has been) excellent. Bullying has never been tolerated, and the headmaster was strongly against corporal punishment - so why would he do it??

I find Ms. Keebles quote: "I have to say that getting action on this matter was one of the most difficult, frustrating experiences that I have ever had."
What has been frustrating is having to put up with this scandalous attack from Sally Keeble and the authorities.

I further quote: 'no charges were made' - does this not end the matter? Violence is and never was tolerated at the school - I urge the authorities to leave us alone and let us get on with our education! If people have a problem with a private school, they are more than welcome to stop paying the fees and leave!
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concerned parent ,

06/06/2009 22:37:54
my child attended St Peters less than 8 years ago and I remember the trips abroad. They went to France and Belgium on a number of occassions and the photos used to be in the entrance hall of the upper school.
i have read the reports and i feel that i obviously removed my child at the right time as they are much happier in the school they attend now (also independant)
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Aeternum Vale,

Wellingborough 07/06/2009 12:19:03
This school has been passing through a difficult, rather uncomfortable, phase of metamorphosis but I am now optimistic of its future potential and prospect.

There is, for the beneficiaries of this chartable trust; a bunch of really good children and their hard-working parents who want only the best for their offspring, nothing for St Peter's to be gained through MP Sally Keeble's continuance of her defamatory attacks against the school.

The schools children and parents do not need any form of the 'protection' she postulates to offer. There is no continuing risk and no meaningful occurrences to my certain knowledge before.

Sally Keeble can now only do harm at this stage; where now the school's unhindered and supported recovery needs to commence. I can only imaging she continues in her stance out of her own brand of political interest and those of the policies she still wishes to forward.
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fedup111,

07/06/2009 17:50:30
its a shame a lot of parents have this 'my kids are ok therefore the others must be troublemakers' attitude. |This kind of nonsense is why bullying goes un dealt with for so long. Just because it doesnt happen to your children,does not mean it hasnt happened
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supportive parent ,

11/06/2009 10:46:14
I am really tired of these constant attacks by Sally Keeble, who despite her staff bill still has not managed to reply to a letter I sent her over nine months ago. Did everyone forget so quickly that the Headmaster was last month cleared by the police? Yet still people have to continue to attack and attack a great school. My child after an unhappy time in one of the failing state secondary schools was lucky enough to start at the school. I can talk to any of the teachers, anytime about thing. The teachers care, they all know my childs name and ambitions. They are doing everything in their power to help my child achieve. Please can our children and our school be left alone.
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AnonPupil,

11/06/2009 23:01:31
Well said 'supportive parent.' I am also waiting for a response from Sally Keeble, and look forward to her reply.
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