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School power to search for knives School power to search for knives
(30 minutes later)
Schools in England have been given the legal right to search pupils who are suspected of carrying knives.Schools in England have been given the legal right to search pupils who are suspected of carrying knives.
Head teachers will also be given 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. Head teachers will also be given 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.
Education Secretary Alan Johnson said knife-carrying in schools was rare, but it was illegal and a message it would not be tolerated must be sent out.Education Secretary Alan Johnson said knife-carrying in schools was rare, but it was illegal and a message it would not be tolerated must be sent out.
The advice to head teachers explains how best to screen pupils. I think parents will welcome the clear message that bringing a weapon into school is a criminal offence Education Secretary Alan Johnson class="" href="either url here">'Why my school uses search wands'
For example, the guidelines suggest that randomly selected groups of pupils could be searched in order to send out a strong message of deterrence. He told the BBC: "What happens at the moment is that if a teacher suspects a child of carrying a knife they have to call the police and wait for the police to arrive before that child can be searched - unless the child agrees to be searched.
I think parents will welcome the clear message that bringing a weapon into school is a criminal offence Education Secretary Alan Johnson "By that time any weapon they are carrying may have been passed on."
The DfES also sets out limits for schools. Under the new guidelines trained staff, authorised by the head teacher, would be able to carry out searches.
Only members of staff authorised by the head teacher can undertake a search. Crucially, a search should never take place where there is any risk to staff or pupils.
Suspicion has to be reasonable and not based on stereotypical images of certain groups of pupils. They also explain how best to screen pupils, suggesting that randomly selected groups of pupils could be searched in order to send out a strong message of deterrence.
But it also sets out limits for schools, in that suspicion has to be reasonable and not based on stereotypical images of certain groups of pupils.
Appropriate training
Two members of staff should be present for a search and both must be the same sex as the pupil.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.And students can only be required to remove outer clothing, such as coats or jackets.
The schools minister, Jim Knight, said the legislation contained several safeguards, including guidelines that two members of staff should be present at each search. Mr Johnson said teachers themselves had asked for the powers but added that the main way to keep knives out of our schools is to continue educating young people about the dangers associated with them.
"Where possible it should take place outside of public view, so that we are again respecting the individuals who clearly may have a perfectly innocent explanation for being suspected of carrying a weapon."
HAVE YOUR SAY Parents should make sure their children do not leave for school with weapons Bill Grigg, Birmingham Send us your comments 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.""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' HAVE YOUR SAY Parents should make sure their children do not leave for school with weapons Bill Grigg, Birmingham class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6466&edition=1&ttl=20070530205945">Send us your comments
A spokesman for the National Association of Head Teachers said it was the job of the police to search individuals for weapons. But he added: "Let's not exaggerate how our schools look at the moment our schools have a very low proportion with any problem at all with pupils bringing in weapons.
"They are trained and have the appropriate body armour," the spokesman said. "The Youth Justice Board survey told us that, Ofsted told us that and head teachers and teachers tell her that.
"Lets not exaggerate this into saying our schools are some kind of ghetto from central Manhattan or the Bronx."
National Association of Head Teachers spokesman said it was the job of the police to search individuals for weapons.
'Fully prepared'
"They are trained and have the appropriate body armour.
"Our advice to our members will be to call for police assistance should they suspect that a weapon is being carried.""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. General secretary of the NASUWT union, Chris Keates, welcomed the new powers, but said searches must be conducted properly by appropriately trained staff.
"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."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.""There is a clear role for local authorities and the local police in supporting and advising schools in this process."