Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Education Minster to look at the regulations around independent schools following the safeguarding issues recently highlighted at a Denbighshire independent school.
Calling for a statement on the regulation of independent schools in Tuesday’s Business Statement in the Welsh Parliament, Darren referred to the safeguarding issues at Ruthin School which have been widely reported in the media in recent weeks.
He said: “The Education Minister will be aware of the significant public interest that there has been as a result of media reports into safeguarding issues at Ruthin School in my constituency.
“ I do think that we need to look at the regulations around independent schools in order to strengthen the safeguarding arrangements and would urge you to consider expanding the Education Workforce Council's role, with a view to a discrete registration category for senior leaders in our independent schools, in order to ensure that they are fit and proper people.
“There has been a great deal of concern in my constituency, and I think it would be useful to have a statement on this subject as soon as possible.”
On Wednesday the Welsh Government issued a Written Statement “to update Members on developments regarding the independent Ruthin School”.
Within the Statement, the Education Minister stated: “The Welsh Government has no powers to direct an independent school to dismiss a member of staff. That is the responsibility of the proprietor of the school or where there is a Board of Trustees or Council of Management. However, I expect every independent school to act in the best interests of pupils, and to ensure that they meet their legal safeguarding responsibilities.
“However, in the event that an independent school does not act to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are pupils at the school in a way that Welsh Government and other bodies think is appropriate, the ultimate sanction would be to remove the school from the register of independent schools. This would mean the school could no longer offer full-time education”.
Commenting on the Statement, Darren added: “While I welcome the Statement it provides no assurances of any changes to the law to improve safeguarding arrangements with regards the suitability of senior leaders."