Parents have a right to be angry. The system is letting them down. There is absolutely no point in setting up a so-called 'one-stop' speedy checkpoint for background checks on teachers and school staff if speedy means waiting seven months for an answer.

The Criminal Records Bureau had a baptism of fire last May and the shock waves from last year's massive delays are still being felt in Wiltshire schools today.

We cannot blame the schools for this latest mess.

Applications are being filled-in on

time and procedures are being followed.

In a time of teacher shortages, who can blame headteachers for allowing unchecked staff to start work as long as they are properly supervised?

The issue is they shouldn't have to. Parents are naturally concerned.

Full checks were brought in for a reason, so government agencies cannot justify delays in a system they were championing as a water-tight method of ensuring children's safety in schools.

How ironic then that an alleged 101 members of school staff are still unchecked after seven months.

This is a situation which needs sorting out fast so parents can begin believing in a system which quite simply has to work.