Q

The row over police checks for teachers has made me wonder if I should be taking any special steps when appointing new staff. Do you have any advice?

A

One rule is to ask for originals or certified copies of all documents such as examination or degree certificates. This allows you to check the truth of claims on application forms and to check for any inconsistencies about names or other details such as date of birth. Of course, as computers and printing systems become more sophisticated, it has become easier to reproduce official-looking documents. Passports and the new driving licences are useful documents because both contain photographs and will have been verified when issued. It is a sad state of affairs when the odd rogue individual puts everyone under suspicion, but that, sadly, is a reflection of the times we live in.

Q

Where does the funding come from for teaching AS classes after school? I have been teaching an AS after school for two years without pay, and I wonder if I could refuse to do so.

A

Although there was supposed to be some transitional funding when AS-levels were introduced, there is now no separate income stream to support these courses. Schools pay for staffing out of their general budget. As to whether you can refuse to teach a course after school, much depends upon how your duties are assigned. You should not be required to work for more than the 1,265 hours a year in which your headteacher may direct your duties, and you may do preparation and marking in addition. You will need to ask your union if any local agreements cover the length of time you are required to be working on site. There is always a danger that some temporary arrangement, set up to help pupils study as diverse a range of options as possible, might become permanent without any thought being given to the staffing implications.

John Howson is visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University and managing director of Education Data Surveys. Do you have a career question for him? Email: susan.young@newsint.co.uk