CYP Now - Opinion: Vox pop - Should schools use metal detectors to scan pupils?

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has backed the use of metal detectors in some schools to scan pupils for weapons as they enter. Details are likely to be contained in the government's forthcoming action plan on tackling violence.

YES - Dr John Dunford, general secretary, Association of School and College Leaders

They are a good idea in instances where the head has determined that it is an appropriate measure that will help to reassure students and parents.

Most schools are safe, peaceful learning environments and, although schools have had the power to search with metal detectors for some time, in reality very few have found it necessary to do so.

However, there are some communities in which a minority of young people routinely carry knives. Conducting searches does not mean that a school has a problem with violence, but that it takes very seriously the wellbeing of its students.

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