Written question asked by Cheryl Gillan (Conservative) on Monday, 21 April 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 April 2008. It was answered by Lord Brennan of Canton (Labour) on Thursday, 24 April 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Schools

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many notifications have been sent out by his Department to the Schools Inspectorate under automatic transfer arrangements in relation to (a) independent and (b) maintained schools since April 2005.

Answer: The Department has referred 73 notifications to the Schools Inspectorate since April 2005 relating to individuals who resigned or were dismissed from independent schools because they were considered unsuitable to work with children. In the case of maintained schools, Ofsted can approach the local authority concerned in respect of notifications from its schools.Under the new vetting and barring scheme a supervisory authority such as Ofsted will be required to inform the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) if it has information that a person poses a risk of harm. In return, the ISA must inform them when it bars someone who is supervised or registered by them.

Secondary information