A question, reference children being searched at school

Message

Aladinsaneuk · #16 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:52 pm

personally I think this may be a civil liberties issue

yes, the teachers do act in loco parentis, BUT

as professionals, it would be a very brave person who would do such a thing on their own - indeed, I would expect that local guidelines would be in place to stop anyone doing it on their own

Paulh · #17 Post by **Paulh** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:36 pm

Just asked Mrs H who is a teacher.

She says its a bit of a grey area - at her school they have a resident police officer (sarf london for you) who is used if a pupil is to be searched, with a teacher also present. She doesn't think she could search a pupil on her own though.

Nooj · #18 Post by **Nooj** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:24 pm

From my chum up in Glasgae

Asked our depute who is our child protection officer.
Feeling is under no circumstances should a teacher search a pupil, only the police have the authority to do so.
Bag searches as well, we can request they show the contents, but can't enforce it.

Also leaves the staff involved open to accusations of groping etc.

So, Scottish opinion is NO!

#19 Post by **Kwackerz** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 3:44 pm

Cool, thanks Nooj!

Nooj · #20 Post by **Nooj** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:01 pm

May be different down here of course (in Scotlandshire they're allowed to eat babies under 6 months old).

#21 Post by **Kwackerz** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:35 pm

Spoke to my daughter, it was just her and the female teacher outside of one of the rooms near the staff room (i know the corridor in question from visiting the school the other month)
Bag search, Boot search and pockets.
I will be speaking to Cambs Police (for clarification of what the dos and donts are and the law with regards teachers) and will then have a chat with the headmaster should my thoughts be proven right.
This teacher has been suspended 3 times apparently, and quite frankly im not amused. I dont wish anyone out of work, however if there are clear boundaries, I shall make a point of reminding the teacher and headmaster of them. If the head is unaware of the teacher's actions, then its his call if he takes disciplinary action beyond me ranting..

Aladinsaneuk · #22 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:43 pm

Should not work as a teacher again if there are other issues...

Samray · #23 Post by **Samray** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:55 pm

TBH my prob would be with the unfounded accusation rather than the search.
I'd hate your child to get knifed because a teacher wasn't in a position to search a kid for a weapon. Mebbe.

BikerGran · #24 Post by **BikerGran** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:43 pm

Yes but that would be a completely different situation.

#25 Post by **Kwackerz** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:22 pm

Agreed, Sam, however having dealt with the school previously on more than one occasion , I dont think they really know what theyre doing 'full stop' and something needs saying before something really bad happens

BikerGran · #26 Post by **BikerGran** » Fri Feb 19, 2010 2:03 am

Then I would suggest that you say it in a letter to the school, copied to the LEA. Face to face conversations or phone calls can be conveniently forgotten but letters have to be answered, particularly if a copy has gone elsewhere!