As the post for which you are applying involves substantial opportunity for access to children, it is important that you provide us with legally accurate answers. Upfront disclosure of a criminal record may not debar you from appointment as we will consider the nature of the offence, how long ago and at what age it was committed, and any other relevant factors. If necessary, please submit the information requested below in confidence, enclosing details in a separate sealed envelope; this will be seen and then destroyed by the HR Deparment. If you would like to discuss this beforehand, please telephone, in confidence, the HR Department for advice.
Please disclose any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. Please note that although the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account, as a School based post, this exemption does not apply to you and therefore all convictions must be disclosed. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found at the Disclosure and Barring Service website. www.gov.uk/dbs.
You should be aware that the School will institute its own checks on successful applicants for short listing with the Disclosure and Barring Service. Failure to declare any convictions (that are not subject to DBS filtering) may disqualify you for appointment or result in summary dismissal if the discrepancy comes to light subsequently.
