Outraged parents have criticized a school for implementing scanning procedures to check students as they enter classes.
Valley Leadership Academy, located in Bacup near Manchester, has begun randomly scanning students upon entry, with staff searching for items such as vapes. While pupils were informed that the scan also checks for phones, the school disputes this, stating that phones are handled separately.
One mother shared her dismay after her 11-year-old son, a Year 7 student, returned home upset when he triggered the scanner due to keys in his bag. She expressed surprise that all students were scanned, noting that during a prior open evening, there was no mention of scanning procedures, only an option for students to surrender phones for safekeeping.
The mother highlighted her son’s embarrassment and the school’s lack of communication with parents regarding the scanning process. She emphasized that while she would support searches for weapons, the current scanning felt invasive and lacked transparency.
Another parent raised concerns about the stringent policy, remarking on its impact on new and nervous students at the school.
In response, a spokesperson for the school, under the Star Academies multi-academy trust, emphasized that student safety is paramount. The use of hand-held screening wands aims to identify harmful items like vapes, which pose health risks to youth. These random checks, in place since the previous year, are conducted with compassion by trained staff. The school plans to inform all parents about the process to alleviate concerns.
Regarding mobile phones, the school has installed lockers to foster a device-free learning environment, promoting focus and well-being. Recognizing mobile phones as a safeguarding issue, the school prioritizes creating a secure and calm educational setting for all students.
