Teachers set for greater search powers
Schools could be given greater powers to search pupils for drugs and alcohol
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Monday, 14, Jul 2008 02:39
Teachers could be given new powers to search pupils for drugs and alcohol following new proposals that have been backed by the government.
They can already search for weapons but stolen property, drugs and particularly alcohol are problems that face some schools.
The recommendation to extend search powers was made by Sir Alan Steer, head teacher of Seven Kings High School, Ilford, who was asked by the government to review issues surrounding school discipline and pupil behaviour.
Schools secretary Ed Balls welcomed the review and said schools should be able to maintain good behaviour.
In his report today Sir Alan said it would be "beneficial" to extend the power of search so that schools can look for any item that pupils ought not to be bringing into school.
"This will provide protection to schools and teachers who are currently carrying out such actions in a responsible manner and in the interests of their pupils," he added.
Sir Alan said that if schools' powers to search are widened, it is "essential… clear new guidance is issued to them and that this guidance is re-issued at regular intervals".
Beyond searching for drugs and alcohol, he called for designated school staff to be trained to deal with drug and alcohol problems.
Sir Alan also backed online systems to allow parents to monitor school attendance and punctuality of their child, arguing that "the potential for greater engagement of parents for this purpose needs to be recognised by schools".
Parental engagement in schools is another of Sir Alan's key objectives for schools, for example through parent councils.
Mr Balls said he wants to help schools "crackdown" on low level behavioural problems to "prevent problems further down the line".
"We need to ensure schools have the powers and support they need to maintain good behaviour and to stop problems in the wider community, such as drugs and alcohol use, entering the school grounds," he added.
"I want to build on the powers we have already given teachers following Sir Alan's earlier recommendations on searching for weapons by extending these to cover drugs, alcohol and other inappropriate items.
"It will ensure that everyone knows that a teacher's authority in the classroom is unquestionable and teachers are clear about their right to use them."