Sex offender offered teaching job

Ms Kelly apparently felt evidence against the man was inconclusive

A registered sex offender given clearance by Education Secretary Ruth Kelly to work as a teacher landed a job in a high school, it has emerged.

But he resigned after teaching for only a few days when police protested.

Ms Kelly had decided not to ban him because she apparently believed evidence he had accessed paedophile websites was inconclusive.

The teacher, who is on the sex offenders register, was given a job at Hewett School in Norwich last month.

Ms Kelly had handed approval for him to work in schools the previous May.

This case highlights a serious policy contradiction that we are keen the DfES addresses as a matter of urgency Lisa Christensen, Norfolk Social Services

The Department for Education (DfES) wrote to Norfolk County Council saying that she had "considered all aspects of the case, including sex offender registration, and decided that the risks of the teacher being allowed to continue teaching were acceptable".

The department's Safeguarding Children Unit said Ms Kelly did not believe he belonged on list 99, the national list of people barred from working with children.

But police reportedly followed strict Home Office guidelines in placing him on the sex offenders register, and have privately expressed deep reservations about her decision.

Norfolk police spokesman Simon Morgan said: "Swift action was taken as soon as this matter came to our attention.

"We convened an urgent meeting with all relevant partner agencies and individuals, including the head teacher, to review the situation and determine the most appropriate course of action."

'Review under way'

Lisa Christensen of Norfolk Social Services said: "This case highlights a serious policy contradiction that we are keen the DfES addresses as a matter of urgency - namely, that it is possible for a teacher to have their name on the sex offender register, but not on list 99."

The school's head, Tom Samain, and governors' chairman, Marion Wright, voiced concern in a joint statement.

They said that the necessary procedures had all been followed.

But after Norfolk Police expressed their concerns and reservations they decided to suspend the teacher and he subsequently resigned.

"The person concerned is no longer employed, and there will be a full examination of the process in this case," they said.

'Stringent measures'

"This is the first time we have had such a case and received such a notification from the DfES.

"We are concerned at the policy contradictions it throws up, and have raised our concerns with the DfES."

The Department for Education insisted in a statement its first priority was the protection of children.

"Stringent measures are put into action where there is evidence of a threat to children," it said.

The department said it could not comment on individual cases.

However, it said it would review this case to see whether it raised any policy issues: "If there is further action needed to close any loopholes, we will not hesitate in taking it.