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Anger over plans for ‘inappropriate relationships’ oath for teachers

24 Sep 2024 4 minute read
Photo by Jo Szczepanska on Unsplash.

Liam Randall, local democracy reporter

A proposal for teachers to swear an oath against inappropriate relationships with pupils could harm the profession’s reputation, it’s been warned.

A motion due to be considered by Flintshire Council could see teachers and school staff required to make a specific commitment in front of a manager not to form intimate relationships with students.

It follows concerns sparked by the court case of Gwynedd headteacher Neil Foden, who was jailed for 17 years in July after being found guilty of sexually abusing four girls.

The motion was submitted by Hope councillor Gladys Healey, who claims stronger measures are needed to protect children from abuse by teachers.

‘Contempt’

However, education union NASUWT said introducing the oath, which will be discussed at a full council meeting in Mold tomorrow (Tuesday, 24 September) would show a “shocking contempt” for teachers.

Neil Butler, the union’s national official for Wales, said: “This motion serves only to bring the teaching profession into disrepute. Flintshire Council needs to concentrate on its responsibility to ensure that schools are fully funded to provide the very best educational provision.

“Teachers in Wales are highly regulated and have to adhere to the Education Workforce’s code of practice which explicitly states that teachers, ‘have a duty of care for the safety, physical, social, moral, and educational wellbeing of learners and young people.’

“If a teacher falls short of this code, they face disciplinary action and potential dismissal.

“For Flintshire Council to introduce its own oath would be showing a shocking contempt for the profession.”

A child practice review is currently being carried out by the North Wales Safeguarding Board following Foden’s sentencing, which local authority Cyngor Gwynedd has pledged to “co-operate fully” with.

The board’s chair described it as a “vital step in protecting vulnerable children in north Wales”. However, critics fear that it will not go far enough.

Safeguarding

In her notice of motion Cllr Healey, who sits on Flintshire’s education scrutiny committee, said current safeguarding measures were in need of improvement.

The Labour politician said: “The council acknowledges that, even with safeguarding training and the code of professional conduct and practice established by the Education Workforce Council in Wales, there are still cases of child abuse by teaching professionals and cases of teachers forming inappropriate relationships with pupils and students for whom they are responsible.

“This has been highlighted by the recent prosecution and imprisonment of a former Gwynedd headteacher who had also previously served as an executive member of the National Education Association.

“The council deplores the formation of such relationships and actions which abuse children and bring about a loss of their childhood innocence.

“The council recommends that, in line with practice in some other non-educational professions, cabinet formulates an oath which must be taken by all who are engaged in education in Flintshire to recognise the need for individuals to make a specific commitment not to engage in inappropriate relationships with those in their charge.”

Staff

If approved, all staff currently working in education settings in Flintshire will be required to swear the oath, along with any future employees.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has said it would be willing to discuss the proposal.

Claire Armitstead, director of ASCL Cymru, said: “We share the horror felt at the case which has given rise to this motion, and are always ready to consider any proposal aimed at improving the safeguarding of young people.

“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with Councillor Healey.

“Safeguarding is a core duty of schools and colleges, and all education staff are fully aware of their responsibility not only to uphold the highest standards of behaviour themselves but also to act on anything which might put a young person’s safety or welfare at risk.

“There are strict professional and legal regulations in place, and anyone found guilty of an inappropriate relationship can face disciplinary and criminal action.”


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Evan Aled Bayton
Evan Aled Bayton
12 days ago

This is not appropriate. It should be part of the training of teachers not to take advantage of their pupils and students and by being qualified on appointment they should understand that. Codicils randomly introduced by local authorities to national standards are not appropriate. There is a German proverb “hard cases make bad law”.

Annibendod
Annibendod
12 days ago

Might be worth you informing yourself as to the training teachers do indeed undertake and the law pertaining to these matters. Then you will understand just how stupendously daft this proposal is.

J Jones
J Jones
11 days ago

The correct system should be in the written employment contract signed by the teacher, compliant with the law and any additional guidelines the employer wants to issue. No problem if an employer wants to emphasise this verbally to a new teacher, explaining the punishment procedure in black and white. Swearing an oath in front of a manager won’t stop the most deviant in our society, that often get into teaching, police, politics etc. The deterrent should be the prompt and simple process that youngsters have to report any deviant behaviour and the severe and long term punishment for those who… Read more »

Annibendod
Annibendod
11 days ago
Reply to  J Jones

Teachers are trained very well wrt safeguarding and the law on this matter. As pointed out an “oath” does diddly squat to improve safeguarding. But people saying this or that should happen need to inform themseves on what does actually happen first.

hdavies15
hdavies15
11 days ago
Reply to  J Jones

Sounds like it’s already in the contract of employment, and covered during the training programmes both at PGCE and in service training. Deviants still turn up. They behave themselves during the early stages, like sleepers, then start to misbehave later. Some take years to get found out others slip up early on. Just like bent coppers and other deviants right across our society.

Jack
Jack
11 days ago

Stupid idea. It will have no impact. It’s not needed for the vast, vast majority of teachers. For those who will do wrong the oath would have no impact on their behaviour. It’s a waste of time and space – but I bet those who thought up this ludicrous idea feel ever so warm and smug about it.

Martyn Vaughan
Martyn Vaughan
11 days ago

An oath is inapropriate and unnecessary as many are broken. As long as teachers of both sexes are not let off the hook, and sentenced that will be enough.

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