ATL

Under surveillance

The use of CCTV in education establishments is widespread but, with stories of staff being spied on and cameras in toilets, is it a good or bad thing? Report investigates. Words by Victoria Poskitt

When ATL members at an independent school in Liverpool caught sight of live images of staff streaming to an office computer, they were horrified to discover there was a camera hidden behind the staffroom clock.

The school claimed the camera had been installed because of a theft problem, but agreed to withdraw it when ATL's national official intervened. With a 2008 survey of ATL members finding that 85% have CCTV in their schools or colleges, this is unlikely to be an isolated incident.

The survey formed part of ATL's work on surveillance in education buildings, prompted by cases such as the one above and following a resolution at ATL's 2008 Conference calling for an investigation of the subject. In response, a member-led specialist task group (STG) was convened in late 2008.

According to ATL's research, 98% of members say that surveillance is primarily used for security. Some even argue that its introduction has a positive impact on behaviour.

Tonia Matthews, a teacher in West Berkshire, suggests that "students feel secure knowing that, if there has been an incident (ie bullying), we can go back and look at what happened".

Nevertheless, as ATL Executive member for Norfolk and convenor of the STG on CCTV Peter Walker states: "CCTV is not, as it's sometimes claimed, a panacea for all behavioural ills. As we state in ATL's policy and guidance on this subject, it is a reactive rather than proactive instrument. There are much better methods of dealing with behaviour."

Indeed, a quarter of respondents to the survey feel uneasy about surveillance. In Peter's experience: "Many teachers say that, provided it's controlled, they're not fussed. But once they dig deeper, they start to realise the potential implications of someone else controlling the use and dissemination of their images."

Of particular concern is the installation of CCTV in classrooms. Louise Davies, a secondary teacher in Brighton, suggests that "where there isn't a high level of trust, staff may have concerns that evidence may be gathered against them". Peter agrees: "We can see very little reason for CCTV cameras to be installed in a classroom.

We are certainly against its use for performance management or capability procedures - we would immediately step in on behalf of members to challenge this. It could be used for CPD purposes but only in limited and strictly controlled circumstances."

The trouble is that circumstances around the use of surveillance are not always being tightly controlled. Only one in 10 ATL members in the survey knew if their workplace had a written policy on the use of CCTV. So, even if schools are complying with the extensive legal requirements around the use of CCTV, communication with staff clearly isn't as effective as it should be.

Martin Johnson, ATL's deputy general secretary, says: "We strongly object to schools or colleges having free rein for use of CCTV and microphones, especially in sensitive areas such as classrooms, changing rooms and toilets. And we have major reservations about streaming images for surveillance CCTV to local authorities or parents for any purpose. Let's not forget that teaching is already one of the most monitored professions in the country, with many members complaining about excessive observations that have little apparent value."

Peter is keen to remind members that, if they are unhappy with the placement of CCTV, "objections can be raised, ultimately with the Information Commissioner, who is the UK's independent authority overseeing protection of personal information". Peter urges members and reps to read ATL's guidance on the use of CCTV.

Its overarching principles are that:

• schools and colleges must comply with the legal requirements of CCTV use

• when installing CCTV, management must be precise and public about the objectives, and they should conduct an impact assessment (ATL has produced a model impact assessment)

• staff, pupils and parents should be consulted and there should be complete openness about the use of the data, including who will view it and retention of recordings.

See ATL's guidance on CCTV, where you will also find links to ATL's policy on the subject and a downloadable version of the model impact assessment document.