Press Release

Arson in schools

22 May 2009

Commenting on the Conservative Party’s proposal to tackle arson in schools, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union, said:

“The NUT has been lobbying extensively on the proposed extension in the ASCL Bill of the power for schools and colleges to search pupils without consent. Head teachers and teachers should have a general power to search pupils who they feel may cause imminent harm to themselves or others.

“However, school staff need to be protected from the burden of having to prove why they lawfully confiscate items, and also from any unreasonable complaints directed at them after the event from parents and pupils. If this does not happen school staff will be reluctant to challenge pupils for fear of reprisals.

“It must be remembered that teachers are not law enforcement officers and they have no reason to risk assault upon them by insisting on searching a pupil who is capable of a violent reaction.

“The NUT has long campaigned for the installation of sprinkler systems in schools, and for this to be mandatory in new buildings.* This would not only reduce the risk to pupils and teachers when fires occur during school hours, but also significantly cut the cost of restoration - money that could be better spent on new schools and additional staff.”