Teachers who are members of political Parties.
Dear Sir or Madam,
By letter of 30 September 2009, The Secretary of State Ed Balls appointed Maurice Smith to enquire into the "promotion of racism in schools". Part of the review is aimed at determining whether members of the British National Party (BNP) should be allowed to work as teachers or in the wider school workforce.
Please provide the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
1. Has your authority ever found a member of the BNP or any other political Party guilty of a disciplinary offence related to their Party membership whilst teaching in the last three years? If so please give information as to when and how many.
2. Has any parent complained to you regarding the Party membership of any employee or the expression of political views within School classrooms under your authority during the last three years?
3. What safeguards do you currently have in place to prevent members of any political Party promoting their views within Schools?
Mark Walker
Solidarity Trade Union
www.solidaritytradeunion.org
Dear Mr Walker
I acknowledge receipt of your request for information under the Freedom of
Information (Scotland) Act 2002 relating to the above. The Council shall
of course respond within the relevant 20 working day period.
Yours sincerely
Doreen Broom
Access to Information Officer
Scottish Borders Council
Corporate Resources - Corporate Administration
Tel: 01835 826516
e-mail: [1][email address]
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
Dear Mr Walker
Further to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002 relating to the above I am now able to respond.
1. The Council does not hold anything on record relating to
this and therefore as we do not hold this information it is exempt under
Section 17 of FOISA.
2. The Council is not aware of any parent complaining regarding
the Party membership of any employee or the expression of political views
within school classrooms in Scottish Borders Council area in the last 3
years. As we do not hold any information on this it is also exempt under
Section 17 of FOISA.
3. In relation to evening and weekend use of schools, Section
1.13 of the Conditions of Use within the SBC Community Venues Policy
states "The Council retains the right to refuse any booking that is
considered unsuitable or that it is unable to facilitate".
Also, during the school day, random politicians are
brought in for discussions within the context of the Modern Studies
curriculum. A teacher is always present during these discussions.
I have to advise if you are not happy with the Council's response then you
have a right to request a review within 40 working days of receipt of this
e-mail. You should either e-mail [1][email address] or write to
the Access to Information Officer, Scottish Borders Council, Council HQ,
Newtown St.Boswells TD6 0SA.
Yours sincerely
Doreen Broom
Access to Information Officer
Scottish Borders Council
Corporate Resources - Corporate Administration
Tel: 01835 826516
e-mail: [2][email address]
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
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