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‘Hi Viz’ at Business Academy Bexley
Business Academy Bexley staff, working alongside local schools officer PC Simone Oram and officers from the Thamesmead East Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team to improve safety, have introduced the use of high visibility jackets for BAB personnel.
Staff can now be seen in high visibility jackets around the campus and at the start and end of the school day at street crossing points and bus stops next to the Academy.
The jackets were introduced at the end of last term to make it easier for parents and students to see where teachers are located. The jackets also help bus drivers identify the staff amongst the students whilst waiting at the nearby bus stops. Staff can also more easily identify where their colleagues are.
Duncan Spalding, Principal of the Academy says: “The jackets are proving to be incredibly successful. The clearly visible presence of the teachers provides peace of mind for the students when they are leaving school at the end of the day and attending parents as they can see numerous members of staff lined along Yarnton Way.
Parents have told us that they feel more reassured knowing there is not only police and community support officers on patrol outside the school but a strong staff presence as well”
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CLAMPING DOWN ON TRUANCY
Seven Bexley parents were given a serious reminder of the importance of school attendance when they received large fines at Bexley Magistrates’ Court for failing to pay fixed penalty notices.
Lin and Paul Caplin, Janine Kelleher, Dorothy Queen, Samantha Riley and Joanne Rea were all fined £500 each and £90 costs.
Yvonne Brinkler received a £75 fine and £25 costs.
Tina Clent was also taken to court under the section 4441A of the Education Act and received 100 hours Community Punishment and £150 costs.
“As a teacher myself, I know that a good attendance record is a requirement for doing well at school.” said Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services, Cllr Simon Windle. “That is why Bexley Council places such importance on parents making sure their children attend school. We are currently developing an attendance strategy and I hope that these sentences will send a clear message to parents who feel that it is acceptable to keep a child away from school for invalid reasons. Every child is entitled to an education and we are determined to play our part in eliminating poor attendance levels wherever possible.”
Fixed penalty notices are used in a range of situations when unauthorised school absences occur. These include truancy, parent condoned absences for no good reason, holidays in term time and persistent lateness.
Any parent, or carer, who fails to ensure the regular attendance at school of children of compulsory school age in their care, can be issued with a fixed penalty notice.
Before a penalty notice is considered parents are issued with a written warning. This gives them 15 school days to make an improvement in the child’s attendance. During that period the pupil must have no unauthorised absences. If the written warning is ignored a penalty notice is issued. The fixed penalty of £50 must be paid within 28 days. If the penalty is not paid within this time the amount increases to £100. If still left unpaid court action is taken.
In Bexley, only authorised Council staff can issue penalty notices, although Head Teachers and Police officers can request that one is issued.
If parents or carers are having difficulties in getting their children to school for whatever reason, they should contact the child’s school for advice and support.
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MATCHING PEOPLE TO JOBS
Exciting opportunities are being offered to people looking for work or a change of job thanks to a wide range of new courses and professional qualifications on offer this autumn at Resources plus, Bexley Council’s training and skills division.
With funding from the London Development Agency, the free training programme has been extended to include bookkeeping, customer services, security, computer installation, networking - and many other employment related skills boosting chances of securing a job.
Resources plus helps people find work or move into higher skilled jobs. Provides an extensive job search support programme combined with the free training which leads to qualifications and, through the Council, links to local businesses. These provide access to hundreds of local vacancies.
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