Soham school checks 'imprudent'

Huntley killed Holly and Jessica while working as a school caretaker

The school which failed to check Soham murderer Ian Huntley's references did not take "properly prudent action", the Bichard Inquiry has been told.

Richard Bird, of the Secondary Heads Association (SHA), told the inquiry the references should have been checked.

And inquiry chairman Sir Michael Bichard said the SHA should provide better guidance on checking references.

The inquiry is examining how Huntley got the job despite a string of sex offence claims against him.

Months after his appointment as caretaker at the school, Huntley murdered pupils Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both aged 10.

Open references

Huntley's open references for the caretakers job at Soham Village College were headed "to whom it may concern".

Kate Gallafent, for the inquiry, said the school's principal, Howard Gilbert, had admitted it was the first time he had appointed a candidate for a job on the basis of "to whom it may concern" references.

"It would be difficult to see a circumstance where there would be no need to check a reference," she added.

Ian Huntley should never have been appointed to a position of trust in a school and, if the system had ensured that the school was properly informed, he would not have been SHA

Mr Bird responded: "In general terms we would entirely agree - you should check references."

When asked if there were any times where it would be acceptable not to check 'to whom it may concern' references, he replied: "We would not think it would be sensible or properly prudent action."

Local intelligence checks

In its inquiry statement the SHA, of which Mr Gilbert is a member, said: "Ian Huntley should never have been appointed to a position of trust in a school and, if the system had ensured that the school was properly informed, he would not have been."

I think that in view of what the inquiry has revealed about the way the system works, I think we would accept that there is a matter of great concern Richard Bird SHA

Ms Gallafent said local intelligence checks using the addresses, for the previous five years, of anyone applying for a job with children were supposed to be carried out as a matter of routine.

She suggested to Mr Bird that the "local intelligence checks" were sometimes ignored by staff at schools.

Mr Bird said: "I think that in view of what the inquiry has revealed about the way the system works, I think we would accept that there is a matter of great concern.

"It is something we would all need to be aware of if the system is to continue in the future."

Sir Michael asked Mr Bird if staff should be better informed about the vetting and recruitment process.

"You were not aware of any guidance about checking references that was available to headteachers or still is," he said.

"Are you not concerned that your members are still vulnerable in these circumstances?"

Mr Bird replied that it was a "matter for more concern".

Behaviour question

But Mr Bird told the inquiry that in the case of Ian Huntley, staff at the school were "on the alert".

He cited Huntley being asked at interview how he would respond if a girl started to behave inappropriately towards him. But Mr Bird accepted: "The upgrading of security in this situation that this inquiry is revealing was something that was not as high profile at that time."

The inquiry is investigating how Huntley slipped through police vetting checks to become a school caretaker despite a string of previous sex allegations against him, including four suspected rapes.

His past only emerged following his murder convictions in December last year.

'Honest and trustworthy'

Earlier in the inquiry, Mr Gilbert admitted that Huntley's references were not checked despite education department guidance stating it was "not good practice" to accept them on face value.

A letter should have been sent to confirm that the references were genuine and authentic Howard Gilbert

In the references, many undated, Huntley was described as "reliable, honest and trustworthy".

In his application he told the college he had "a lot to offer".

"At the end of the day, they [the references] should have been called in," Mr Gilbert told the inquiry.

"A letter should have been sent to confirm that the references were genuine and authentic."