[ Posted on 8:10am May 31 2007 by NeroAnima ]
Schools in England have been given the legal right to search pupils who are suspected of carrying knives
The Department for Education and Skills will also give heads 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.
However, the DfES stressed that incidents involving knives in schools were extremely rare.
The advice to head teachers explains how best to screen pupils.
For example, the guidelines suggest that randomly selected groups of pupils could be searched in order to send out a strong message of deterrence.
The DfES also sets out limits for schools.
Only members of staff authorised by the head teacher can undertake a search.
Suspicion has to be reasonable and not based on stereotypical images of certain groups of pupils.
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.
The schools minister, Jim Knight, said the legislation contained several safeguards, including guidelines that two members of staff should be present at each search.
"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."
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."
'Appropriately trained staff'
A spokesman for the National Association of Head Teachers said it was the job of the police to search individuals for weapons.
"They are trained and have the appropriate body armour," the spokesman said.
"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.
"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.
"There is a clear role for local authorities and the local police in supporting and advising schools in this process."
Source: BBC --- "School power to search for ...ves" has been viewed  times ---
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| untitled | [quote] | | » posted by: Lev · date: 7:51pm Jun 23 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
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quoting Necromaster:
its just another way to make people used to being "screened" and controlled. being searched before going into a building seems retarded to most people now. but if kids are brought up with that kind of shit going on in there schools it will be normal to them. they wont question it when they grow up.
EXACTLY.
The problem is this opinion is so often disregarded since the vast majority of us who hear it have also already been mentally conditioned to think in a particular way.
The sad thing is all of the plans, ideas and "solutions" they come up with don't change a damn thing. None of this addresses the problem of WHY kids turn to violence in the first place. It doesn't address WHY kids are filled with so much anger, hatred. It doesn't address WHY so many act it out. It doesn't address WHY we have so many troubled youth.
All we (as society) ever do is look for simple quick fix solutions to attacking a symptom of a disease while ALWAYS ignoring the cause of the disease.
Go shoot up your schools kiddies. Blame it on Uncle Lev. The media loves to scapegoat.
www.shootupyourschool.com
 ~~~~~~~~~~
The problem with the world is that the fanatics are so arrogantly sure of themselves, while the open-minded individual remains filled with doubts.
levlive.com
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| untitled | [quote] | | » posted by: Necromaster · date: 10:13pm Jun 07 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
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its just another way to make people used to being "screened" and controlled. being searched before going into a building seems retarded to most people now. but if kids are brought up with that kind of shit going on in there schools it will be normal to them. they wont question it when they grow up.
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| A voice of concern | [quote] | | » posted by: guest (194.216.125.5) · date: 1:54pm Jun 04 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
I can see where they're coming from with this, but i have a bad feeling this power could be abused. and why not, most other government employees flaunt and abuse tjeir positions, why not let the teachers in on it?~~~~~~~~~~
Lord Nemo is your God. Worship Him thus.
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| untitled | [quote] | | » posted by: Jayden · date: 10:56am May 31 2007 | rated: N/A | | |
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Hmm knives in school... never knew they were as much as a problem as guns. Though I suppose its pretty obvious if you think about it.~~~~~~~~~~
"Soft as faded memory, each night I hear her call to me, of love and pain, deep regret, in hope of dreams, that may forget." ~J. M.
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