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A Melbourne school is under fire for refusing to let a group of grandparents into the classroom for a special "Inquiry Afternoon" event because they did not have a Working With Children Check. The grandparents were furious at the way they were treated by St Joseph's Primary School in Yarra Junction when they were asked for the certificate after being invited to attend. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Grandparents fume over being refused entry into a classroom because they didn't have a working with children check. Stream Sunrise free on 7plus The Herald Sun reported the event was held for year one and two students to speak about "technology and the world has changed over time", and to showcase old technology. Grandparents were asked for a Working With Children Check on the back of the invitation, however the requirement wasn't seen by some grandparents, causing uproar and confusion. On Tuesday, Herald Sun education editor Susie O'Brien and founder of the National Grandparent Movement Ian Barnett appeared on Sunrise and slammed the school. "The Working With Children Check isn't set up for the one-off visit — it is a step too far," Barnett said. "I understand we're living in a time when we want more checks and balances, but it is unrealistic to think that grandparents attending such a day would actually need to go and provide a Working With Children Check." O'Brien agreed, calling it an overreach. "I'm sure they had very good intentions — no one set out for this to happen," O'Brien said. "But imagine turning up, arranging your entire week, your day to come to your grandchild's event … and the child's school refuses entry." The school forced the grandparents without a Working With Children Check to sit in the principal's office and do their show-and-tell via a video link. O'Brien said schools did have some discretion over such requirements. "When there are a group of people invited to the school for a sports day, for grandparents' day, for parent-teacher interview, it is usually not required," O'Brien said. Barnett noted that most states did not require the check. "This is the first time I have heard (of it it). I think in NSW, even in WA, where I think you're from, Nat, they actually list the fact that for such visits you don't need a Working With Children Check," he said. "I haven't heard of this in NSW. I have to admit, I'm from NSW. So it is really going a bit extreme. Schools do have the right to decide who comes onsite. But it just seems it's not required. "To actually drag the child out from the classroom to sit with nana or grandad, it's a step too far and embarrassing, I think, for the school as well." A spokesperson for St Joseph's Primary School acknowledged there was some confusion, in remarks published by the Herald Sun. "Our schools are required to comply with the child safe standards. "There was advance notice to all St Joseph's families on this requirement, with 29 grandparents signing in on Friday with a working with children clearance. "We acknowledge the disappointing experience of the four grandparents who couldn't attend the grandparents' day and are attempting to call these families this morning."
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