Published: Friday, 11th July, 2008 14:30
EDUCATION BOSS 'SORRY' FOR COMMENTS
By Amanda Keenan
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AN education boss has apologised to East Renfrewshire Council for criticising the use of campus cops in two Barrhead schools.
The move comes after John Wilson, education director of East Renfrewshire council wrote a letter of complaint to Helen Connor, vice-president of the Educational Institute of Scotland, following her comments.
In his letter Mr Wilson says that the comments undermine the ‘inestimable contribution’ that the East Renfrewshire officers have made to the running of the education service.
He also said that school police officers have made an ‘inestimable contribution’ to Barrhead schools.
And he suggests to Ms Connor that she may have breached the GTC code of professional conduct for teachers by actively discouraging teachers, pupils and support staff from reporting crime within schools. Now Ms Connor has apologised for her comments made at the General Teaching council’s annual meeting.
A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire council said: “Ms Connor said that her comments were said during a debate and were not included in the actual motion.
“We have accepted Ms Conner’s apology and will let the matter rest.
“Our campus officers are an outstanding example of good practice who have the full support of pupils, parents, staff and communities alike and do not deserve to be undermined by the comments made.”
Constable Mark Armstrong, Barrhead High School’s campus cop said: “I was very pleased to be able to report how successful the project has been in Barrhead High School where I work and also in Woodfarm and Eastwood High schools which also have campus cops.
The approach is all about working with education, social work and community services staff to intervene to help pupils who may be heading for trouble as well as developing good relationships between the police, the young people and the community in and around the area.”
In 2005, East Renfrewshire Council made a pledge to cut levels of youth crime and anti social behaviour based on Danish methods. Denmark has an internationally renowned approach that has led to low crime rates. For the first time in Britain, these methods have been combined with the Campus Police Officer initiative and piloted, with the financial support of the Scottish Government.
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