ATL

41 per cent of teaching staff are concerned about increased powers to search pupils - ATL Survey

Forty-one (40.8) per cent of teaching staff believe that extending teachers' powers to search and confiscate weapons, mobiles and cigarettes from pupils will have a negative impact on relationships with pupils, according to a survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).

The survey questioned 220 ATL members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and addressed issues outlined in government proposals, included in the White Paper and in the forthcoming Education Bill, expected this week.

Members expressed concerns about the prospect of having to search pupils, with many worrying about possible allegations arising from a search. This member's comment was typical: "We are there to teach, not frisk pupils and police them."

Many respondents agreed that searching pupils is not part of their role: "We are educators not police officers and must have a different relationship with our students." With another commenting: "I am not a security guard and haven't had training for that role."

Thirty (29.9) per cent of respondents felt that searching pupils would also have a negative impact on relationships with parents and carers.

"An increase of allegations against staff will ensue. Staff/parent relationships may be negative as already has proved the case. Increased pressure /workload on teachers to carry out the role and accusations of theft and damage of confiscated property will cause extra stress."

Another stated: "I am unsure of the plausibility of such powers. I can see a number of civil claims made by vindictive parents who will claim that, if searched or 'frisked', their child was 'damaged' in some way...."

A number also had concerns about the possible repercussions of searching a pupil believing it was "...an invasion of pupils' privacy and showed a lack of respect, which would impede the learning process."

Additionally some respondents felt that searching pupils should not be done at all, with one member stating: "Everyone is entitled to privacy. I strongly believe that children will react better if they are given some control over their lives - this promotes responsibility for their own actions and respect for other people."

However, many members thought that extending teachers' powers to search pupils and confiscate items would have a positive impact, with 58 per cent believing it would improve rule-compliance.  And 53 (52.9) per cent felt that it would improve learning in the classroom. One member said: "If done sensitively I believe it could help restore some authority to teachers whilst sending a message that these things are not appropriate."

ATL's general secretary, Dr Mary Bousted, said: "Teachers already have powers to search pupils. Extending and continuing to emphasise these powers will undermine teachers' role as educators, putting them increasingly into a policing role. Members are worried that searching pupils' risks alienating them and their parents, perhaps even resulting in civil claims and could lead to challenges and confrontation which would have a negative impact on learning.

"We are pleased that the White Paper, issued in November, recognises that these extra powers could result in allegations being made against teachers and will put in place safeguards to protect teachers from malicious allegations, speed up investigations and legislate to grant teachers anonymity. Any powers to search must be accompanied by clear guidance with the aim of protecting staff and pupils alike."

The survey also questioned members on government plans to remove the requirement for a school to give parents and carers written notice of detentions outside school hours. 62 per cent believe that this will have a negative impact on relationships with parents and carers and 31 per cent felt it would have a negative impact on pupils. However, 44 per cent believed it would have a positive impact on promoting rule-compliance, and 40 per cent thought it would improve learning in the classroom.


* Note: changes to education staffs' power to search apply to England only.

Further notes:
ATL surveyed 220 primary, secondary, and further education staff working in state and independent schools and colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The survey closed on 14 September 2010.

Notes to editors

1. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) is an independent, registered trade union and professional association, representing approximately 160,000 teachers, headteachers, lecturers and support staff in maintained and independent nurseries, schools, sixth form, tertiary and further education colleges in the United Kingdom.

2. ATL exists to help members, as their careers develop, through first rate research, advice, information and legal advice.

3. ATL is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). ATL is not affiliated to any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the main political parties.