SCHOOLS across the region are facing severe disruption, with more than 1,300 teachers awaiting police checks days before the new term starts.

The Criminal Records Bureau is trying desperately to provide clearance for more than 18,000 staff before the majority of schools re-open next Wednesday.

Teaching unions yesterday attacked the Government for failing to heed their warnings that the bureau did not have enough resources to cope.

Elaine Kay, principal officer with the National Union of Teachers in the North-East, said: "The whole thing is an absolute shambles."

Yesterday, a school in Leicester had to close because staff had not been cleared.

Teachers and classroom staff must be checked against List 99 - a dossier of people convicted of or suspected of child abuse - as well as being checked for criminal records.

The bureau was supposed to provide a "one-stop-shop" for both, but delays built up almost as soon as it was launched in the spring.

North Yorkshire County Council education spokes-man Councillor Chris Metcalfe, said: "Last week I was told we had 500 staff who still needed clearing. I was assured that would be cleared before schools went back. Obviously, that is not going to happen."

Local authorities in the region said staff would not be allowed to teach without the proper checks, but most schools would be able to cope.

A spokesman for Middlesbrough LEA said: "We're not expecting it to affect the education of the kids because they can work around it if there are teachers who can't work because of this."