CRB vetting to watch your kids play sport?

[rhubarb]

The school website seems to imply it's all rubbish anyway.

In light of the recent press coverage regarding CRB checks on parents wishing to watch their children play in sports fixtures we would like to issue the following statement:

Parents are more than welcome to attend to watch sports fixtures at Isambard Community School. However, there is no access to the sports pitches through the main school building. Parents are requested to use the Tadpole Lane entrance where there is ample parking. There have previously been issues with parents and other visitors arriving at the Isambard Way entrance and being annoyed to be asked to drive to Tadpole Lane. However, we are unable to allow visitors access through the school during the normal school day, which includes the enrichment time between 3:15pm and 6pm. We hope this clarifies the school’s position.


So, just make sure you use the Tadpole Lane entrance and all is well. Apparently.

[BrilloPad]

I was just at the Queen Mother leisure centre by Victoria Station. In the shared changing rooms there was a group of about 10 boys aged around 8-11 getting changed. No male teacher of course - they seem to be virtually excluded from primary schools (mores the pity).

Struck me as being a nonce's dream - though no-one seemed to be paying them any attention. Maybe all those using shared changing rooms need CRB checks?

Though a better solution is cubicles.....

[BrilloPad]

So, just make sure you use the Tadpole Lane entrance and all is well. Apparently.

So just shoddy reporting from the wail then? I suppose it is to be expected.

[Paddy]

TSA hires a priest excluded from clergy for child molestation — RT

In 2002, Thomas Harkins was permanently removed by the Catholic Church after 20-plus years of allegations that the former clergyman had molested children at parishes across the East Coast. Today, he’s your friendly TSA agent.

The Church reached out to the TSA and told the federal agency of Harkins’ sordid pass — which includes several allegations that suggest the priest molested young girls as early as 1979. He was transferred in 2000 to a prison to serve as a chaplain there and, two years later, permanently removed from the Catholic community.

As a TSA agent, Harkins touched passengers — children and adults, alike — until 2004. At that point, the Philadelphia Inquirer has learned, he was promoted to a supervising provision where he remains today, overseeing checked baggage. Now he maintains a quiet life as a federal security staffer, despite once looking at a life in jail for a series of sex crimes.

I am always suspicious of airport security guards wanting a fondle when I go through Heathrow.

[Scoobos]

It's been commonplace for parents to be disallowed to take photos during nativities as they might fall into "the wrong hands".

Hate this stuff. You can't even get a CRB check unless someone requests it for you.

The school should foot the cost and check all parents if it wants to be like this, and it'll soon change its mind.

Scare story imo.

[SueEllen]

I was just at the Queen Mother leisure centre by Victoria Station. In the shared changing rooms there was a group of about 10 boys aged around 8-11 getting changed. No male teacher of course - they seem to be virtually excluded from primary schools (mores the pity).

Schools jump at the chance to have male primary school teachers.

Unfortunately the teacher gets stuck with all the boys who are delinquent and don't have a good male role model at home.

Struck me as being a nonce's dream - though no-one seemed to be paying them any attention. Maybe all those using shared changing rooms need CRB checks?

Though a better solution is cubicles.....

They are relying on safety in numbers.

If you go for one kid the rest are likely to fight you.

[SimonMac]

They are relying on safety in numbers.

If you go for one kid the rest are likely to fight you.

You seem to know a lot about this, something to confess?

[SueEllen]

You seem to know a lot about this, something to confess?

Confess that I know a few teachers including head teachers?

[NickFitz]

So, just make sure you use the Tadpole Lane entrance and all is well. Apparently.

So just shoddy reporting from the wail then? I suppose it is to be expected.

I find myself in the unusual position of having to defend the Mail

According to comments on the local paper's website, the school's statement about access via Tadpole Lane is disingenuous in implying that this was always the case, and that there was never any CRB check requirement. Here's the story, and examples of the comments include:

"A reminder of what they said in the Isambard Newsletter sent to all parents: 'Parents wishing to spectate at our sports fixtures MUST be in possession of an up to date Swindon Borough Council CRB check'… <stuff about procedures snipped> Would someone please show me where it mentions Tadpole Lane there?"

"I managed to watch my son play football for the school team a few times last year by entering by the tadpole lane gate. However I was not told I could get in this way by the school, my son told me that the football coach would open the gate to allow parents in. The school told me that I had to be CRB checked before I could watch him play. This is pretty typical of the school to attempt to make out they are doing something the right way, when they are clearly just being a pain."

So it looks as if, on this occasion, the Mail was right (or at least rightish) and the school is trying to wriggle out of it.

I'm now off to check those Mayan prophecies and watch some 9-11 conspiracy videos: in a world where a story in the Mail is found to be true, anything could be…

[SimonMac]

I find myself in the unusual position of having to defend the Mail

According to comments on the local paper's website, the school's statement about access via Tadpole Lane is disingenuous in implying that this was always the case, and that there was never any CRB check requirement. Here's the story, and examples of the comments include:

"A reminder of what they said in the Isambard Newsletter sent to all parents: 'Parents wishing to spectate at our sports fixtures MUST be in possession of an up to date Swindon Borough Council CRB check'… <stuff about procedures snipped> Would someone please show me where it mentions Tadpole Lane there?"

"I managed to watch my son play football for the school team a few times last year by entering by the tadpole lane gate. However I was not told I could get in this way by the school, my son told me that the football coach would open the gate to allow parents in. The school told me that I had to be CRB checked before I could watch him play. This is pretty typical of the school to attempt to make out they are doing something the right way, when they are clearly just being a pain."

So it looks as if, on this occasion, the Mail was right (or at least rightish) and the school is trying to wriggle out of it.

I'm now off to check those Mayan prophecies and watch some 9-11 conspiracy videos: in a world where a story in the Mail is found to be true, anything could be…

I don't want to live in a world where the Daily Mail is right