“Babcock International Group plc is a multinational corporation headquartered in the United Kingdom, which specialises in support services managing complex assets and infrastructure in safety- and mission-critical environments. Although the company has civil contracts, its main business is with public bodies, particularly the UK Ministry of Defence and Network Rail. The company has four operating divisions with overseas operations based in Africa, North America & Australia.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babcock_International
It has contracted to Devon County Council to monitor school attendance. Why – your guess is as good as Owl’s – perhaps it is a way od refining some sort of surveillance software!
“The new partnership will deliver the following key services:
School Improvement; including
a dedicated school improvement advisory team,
curriculum support,
school data and assessment and school governor support;
Curriculum Enrichment; including digital media facilities, outdoor learning, school library and music services;
Inclusion Services and Learner Support: including educational psychology and Special Educational Needs;
Workforce Training and Development; including leadership, supporting and promoting continuous professional development and working with Newly Qualified Teachers;
Business Management and Resources; including finance, contracts, quality management, personnel and resources;
Alex Khan, Managing Director of Babcock’s Education and Training business said: “Being chosen by Devon County Council as provisional preferred bidder builds on our proven track record in delivering improved educational outcomes for all pupils and reducing overall costs for local authorities which is becoming an increasingly vital factor in the delivery of local services.
“We look forward to applying our unique educational management expertise and experience in Devon. Our approach is already delivering improved outcomes and reducing costs for our other local authority partnerships.””
https://www.babcockinternational.com/News/Babcock%20awarded%20Devon%20schools%20contract
The company sends threatening letters, mentioning fines of £2,500 and more to anyone whose child’s attendance has fallen before a bar that they and DCC sets, whatever the reason.
What is an arms manufacturer doing in education?
There is a change.org petition:
“Babcock International is a weapon manufacturer operating around the globe. They are also contracted by Devon County Council to monitor and produce reports on school attendance.
After ten sessions (five days) of “unauthorised absence” they send this letter threatening a fine of up to £2500 and/or three months in prison.
The letter is sent to hundreds of parents each year, causing disproportionate distress for what, in many cases, is a single case of illness or forgetting to inform the school in time.
Children become worried that their mum or dad might go to prison. Parents worry their children might be taken into care, that they might lose their jobs, businesses, dignity and freedom.
The threat, and potential fine and imprisonment, disproportionately affects single parents and poor people, who are less able to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice within 21 days (after which it doubles).
I have personally supported a single mum who was working full-time, raising two children, starting a business and having to comfort her children who thought that Mum was going to prison.
Babcock’s business is in fear, not in children’s education.
East Devon Watch 
1984
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