The Governing Body and staff of Morland Area School (hereinafter referred to as ‘the school’) take seriously our responsibility under Section 175 Education Act 2002 (Section 157 for independent schools and academies) to safeguard and promote the welfare of our pupils, to minimise risk and to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements are in place within our school to identify, assess, and support those children who are suffering harm and to keep them safe and secure whilst in our care.

Our Statement and supporting Policies and procedures relate to all members of the school community including pupils, staff, Governors, visitors/contractors, volunteers and trainees working within the school.  It is fully incorporated into the whole school ethos and is underpinned throughout the teaching of the curriculum, within PHSE and within the safety of the physical environment provided for the pupils.

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website or see here.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a self-disclosure form to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered or protected, prior to the date of the interview along with other questions about their status in line with other legislation. You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process.  If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service and DfE (where relevant) before your appointment is confirmed.

NOTE: it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children

The amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013&2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. 

Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.