Press Release

Press statement on the Steer report

Monday, July 14 2008

Voice, the union for education professionals has given a cautious welcome to Sir Alan Steer’s report on pupil behaviour and to the Secretary of State’s response.

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."