Search powers 'will damage relationships with pupils'

January 25 2011

Many teachers are concerned over the new powers they will have to search pupils, a new survey has revealed.

Research by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) found that 40.8 per cent of education professionals believe having the power to search for and confiscate items such as mobile phones could damage the relationships they have with their students.

Of those polled, 29.9 per cent believe it could also cause tension with parents and carers.

Furthermore, many respondents expressed concern that they have received no training to carry out searches.

Commenting on the findings, ATL 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."

Speaking last year, schools minister Nick Gibb said teachers should feel confident in exercising their authority.

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