Schools are to receive guidance on how they should respond to the potential threat of paedophiles who are released into the community.

Headteachers' leaders and the Association of Chief Police Officers have drawn up a protocol following public alarm at the release from jail of convicted child killers.

David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said schools had been looking for clear guidance from the police on the assessment of risk and how to respond to it.

In one recent case, he said, schools had been informed by police that a paedophile was living in their area, but heads had been left to decide what precautions to take and whether to pass the information on to parents.

In a statement released at the NAHT's annual conference in Eastbourne, the union said the over-riding priority was to protect children.

'Public alarm'

"The public has real concerns about the management of sex offenders in the community. Children must be protected from sexual abuse," it said.

But Mr Hart said headteachers could not be left with the responsibility of assessing risk, and spreading public alarm.

Heads had to act in accordance with guidance from the police about the risks in each individual case, he said.

"We must avoid a situation where heads are left to their own devices," Mr Hart said.

"Clear guidance from the police and clear guidelines on how schools should respond will ensure they are not left out on a limb."

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