'Gehring loophole' to be closed

The Government is to close the loophole which allowed Amy Gehring to return to teaching despite a continuing investigation into allegations that she had sex with pupils.

An amendment to the current Education Bill will require schools and education authorities to tell the Government about allegations of abuse made against supply teachers. The responsibility currently rests with employment agencies who have a financial interest in keeping teachers in work.

Ministers have until now rejected tighter regulations, laying the blame on Gehring's agency, Timeplan. It failed to inform the Government when it suspended the 26-year-old after allegations that she had sex with a 16-year-old.

A month later, after complaints were withdrawn, Timeplan sent her to another school. At the time, a child protection team was investigating her fitness to teach.