Teachers to get search powers

Ministers have backed a new report recommending that teachers are given the power to search pupils for drugs and alcohol.

Children's secretary Ed Balls on Monday published a review of on behaviour in schools from adviser Sir Alan Steer and said he welcomed its findings.

He said the government was ready to bring in new legislation to implement the search powers which would also cover cigarettes and stolen property.

"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," Balls said.

"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."

Sir Alan also called for schools to use new technology such as text messaging and email to help tackle truanting by communicating better with parents about their children's whereabouts.

And he said better training should be given to teachers to deal with bad behaviour, with more detailed recommendations to be published in his final report due out in the autumn.

However headteacher Sir Alan added that he remains "extremely optimistic" about the situation in schools.

"There will always be problems in bringing up the young but these should not be exaggerated," he said.

"I believe that the vast majority of young people are as idealistic, committed and enthusiastic as they ever were and that standards of behaviour in schools are generally good. I also believe that most parents are responsible and caring."

Stakeholder response: Voice: the union for education professionals

General Secretary Philip Parkin said: "We welcome Sir Alan’s call for greater parental involvement, and for closer co-operation between schools and the police with Safer School Partnerships.

"Schools cannot solve these problems on their own and some parents do need to take greater responsibility for their children’s behaviour. Schools have a key role to play in young people’s development and welfare but they are not substitutes for parents. We would particularly welcome an increase in the number of Parent Support Advisors.

"Voice welcomes Sir Alan’s comments that schools are often safe havens for many children and that standards of pupil behaviour and parental responsibility are generally good. It is all too easy for society and the media to demonise young people. Schools should not be portrayed as places of fear and danger. They should be places where children can feel safe.

"However, great caution must be exercised over any extension of search powers.  Any new powers must be exercised carefully, only where necessary in schools that have a particular problem with drugs, alcohol or stolen property, and with the necessaary back-up from the police or specially trained security staff.

"We would not want schools to enter into police territory with general searches for stolen goods or drugs. Schools are about education.  They should work in partnership with their local police force but must be very careful that they are not used to do the work of the police.

"We want schools to be safe and law-abiding, but not places where pupils are searched for anything and everything. That would change the nature of schools and send out the message that they are not safe places.

"Schools can include confiscation of pupils’ property as a disciplinary sanction in their behaviour policy so they can already confiscate items pupils should not have such as alcohol.

"Head teachers should ideally hire support staff with security training to conduct body searches or call in the police and/or parents as appropriate if they are concerned that illegal items are present.

"We would welcome detailed guidance from the DCSF on any new search powers."

Stakeholder response: NASUWT

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: "The extension of the powers to search is a welcome development.

"It will enable schools to be responsive to a wider range of problems. It will also enhance the menu of strategies to tackle pupil indiscipline from which schools can now choose to assist them in maintaining high standards of safety, good order and discipline.

"Sir Alan's recommendations today build on proposals made previously by the NASUWT and which this Government has implemented to promote good behaviour and discipline in schools.

"Many schools may never need to use these measures. However, all schools will still need to ensure that they are prepared fully should the need arise by reviewing their behaviour policies.

"Schools should not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour and must be equipped to tackle these problems when they occur. These measures should enable pupils and staff   to feel safe when they are in school.

"Every parent also needs to understand why these measures are so important. Schools need the support of all parents in challenging the range of behaviours which undermine teaching and learning. Parents should be reassured that these measures will mean their children continue to be safe and secure when they are in schools."