School security was today called into question after an incident in a Colchester primary school.
Parents were left concerned for their children's safety, and they are demanding that a loophole in checks on people working with children is closed.
A man who wanted to get on to a university teacher training course was allowed in to the school for two weeks on the strength of a letter from the university.
Teaching staff raised concerns with the headteacher about the man's manner after just two days.
He was immediately asked to leave. A parent then contacted the Evening Gazette, claiming her child had been shown inappropriate personal photographs by the man.
The incident did not result in any children being harmed but some were distressed enough by the man's behaviour to tell parents and teachers. The headteacher stressed that at no time were any of the children in danger.
A spokesman for Essex County Council said: "This was clearly an uncomfortable situation and the school head dealt with it in a satisfactory way.
"It is important that the school community is relaxed and that there is full confidence in all the adults in the school environment."
Published Monday January 19, 2004
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