'Independent pupils need equal protection'
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 inquiry 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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Thursday 24 May 2012
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