Nine out of 10 parents believe their child is safe at school, according to a survey by the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA). Despite reports of the Home Secretary calling for airport-style metal detectors at school gates to combat knife attacks, pupils’ physical security in class is not high on their families’ list of fears. Just three of the 501 parents questioned in a telephone poll for the NCPTA said they were worried about knife or gun crime.
And teachers have told The TES they do not want schools to become fortresses. They say ministers have
overreacted and they would prefer a less confrontational approach. Even Sally Coates, head of Sacred Heart RC School in Southwark, south London, where a 13-year-old girl was stabbed last week and a 14-year-old boy arrested, said that security arches were not the answer.
Yesterday, the Association of Chief Police Officers detailed plans to “nip youth offending in the bud” through Safer School Partnerships. Police will work with schools and other community groups to target prolific young offenders who are involved with gangs, guns and knives. The NCPTA survey found the main concern of parents was pupils’ bad behaviour in lessons disrupting their child’s learning. Nearly half said their child had been bullied at school, but 62 per cent felt schools were doing enough to deter bullying.
Overall, 73 per cent were satisfied with their child’s education and nine out of 10 parents got their child in to their preferred school.
