Airport-style metal detectors to be used in English schools

 Schools in England have been given the legal right to search pupils who are suspected of carrying knives.

The Department for Education and Skills will also give heads guidance on how to use airport-style metal detectors to screen young people.

The guidelines state that a pupil can be refused entry to a school if he or she refuses to be screened.

However, the DfES stressed that incidents involving knives in schools were extremely rare.

The advice to head teachers explains how best to screen pupils.

For example, the guidelines suggest that randomly selected groups of pupils could be searched in order to send out a strong message of deterrence.

The DfES also sets out limits for schools.

Only members of staff authorised by the head teacher can undertake a search.

Suspicion has to be reasonable and not based on stereotypical images of certain groups of pupils.

Two members of staff should be present for a search and both must be the same sex as the pupil.

And students can only be required to remove outer clothing, such as coats or jackets.

Rare cases

Education Secretary Alan Johnson stressed that knife incidents in schools were extremely rare.

“The main way to keep knives out of our schools is to continue educating young people about the dangers associated with illegally carrying a knife,” he said.

“But one violent crime caused by a weapon is one too many.

“This new power was called for by teachers, but our guidance makes clear that a search should never take place where there is any risk to staff or pupils. In those circumstances the police should be called.

“I think parents will welcome the clear message that bringing a weapon into school is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated.”

‘Appropriately trained staff’

A spokesman for the National Association of Head Teachers said it was the job of the police to search individuals for weapons.

“They are trained and have the appropriate body armour,” the spokesman said.

“Our advice to our members will be to call for police assistance should they suspect that a weapon is being carried.”

General secretary of the NASUWT union, Chris Keates, welcomed the new powers, but said searches must be conducted properly.

“Conducting searches is a job for appropriately trained staff who have site security as part of their role.

“However, all schools will still need to consider how they will be incorporated into their policies and procedures to ensure that they are prepared fully should the need arise.

“There is a clear role for local authorities and the local police in supporting and advising schools in this process.”

BBC

RSS TrackBack URL

Translate: