The school has denied the search methods are to look for mobile phones
The Valley Leadership Academy in Bacup(Image: Google Maps)
Parents are angry that scanners are being used to search their children on their way into school.
It’s now the norm for children at The Valley Leadership Academy in Bacup to be randomly scanned as they arrive at the school, with staff looking for ‘harmful items such as vapes’.
Pupils say they have been told it’s also to look for phones, but the Lancashire school denies that’s the case, saying ‘phones are a separate matter’.
Last year the school took the decision to ban phones on school premises altogether, saying they had ‘increasingly become a source of disruption in classrooms and during school activities’.
But one mum told us she was not aware that kids would be scanned at all and says her 11-year-old son, who has just started in Year 7, came home upset after being singled out when the keys in his bag activated the machine.
For the best ideas on days out, shopping and parenting issues, get the Manchester Family newsletter here
She feels it’s ‘an invasion of privacy’ and children shouldn’t be scanned in this way.
Pupils at The Valley Leadership Academy are searched before school(Image: Google Maps)
The mum-of-three, who did not want to be named, said: “I was shocked when he came home and told me that all the kids had been scanned.
“When we went to the open evening before starting they told us the kids would have chance to hand their phones in to be locked away and given back at the end of the day. They never mentioned anything about scanning them.
“The scanner went off on my son because he had his keys in his bag. He’s a shy quiet boy anyway, so being singled out like that made him really embarrassed and upset. Still now the school haven’t mentioned this to parents. I have tried to call the office but nobody picks up the phone. Not a great start to a new school.”
If staff were searching for weapons, as is the case in some schools, the mum, who lives in Rossendale, said she could understand why it was happening, but would expect the school to inform parents if that was the case.
“I feel like its an invasion of privacy and quite invasive,” she said. “I believe that even if they do have a phone or vape for that matter in their bags, and don’t take it out, it isn’t really an issue.
“We all know teenagers and what they get up to. If it was genuinely looking for weapons or knives I would be all for it, but I don’t know as they haven’t contacted parents to tell them what is happening.
“I would rather as a parent know what is going on. I and other parents have been really shocked by it.”
Parents aren’t happy that pupils are being searched for phones and vapes (Image: Google Maps)
Another parent told us they were also concerned about the policy, saying: “This all seems a bit extreme. It’s not very nice for the younger ones who are only just starting at the school and already nervous.”
The school, run by Star Academies multi-academy trust and formerly Fearns Community Sports College, announced last year that it had become a ‘no phone zone’.
In October parents received a letter explaining the new policy, which said: “Our primary goal is to create an optimal learning environment where all pupils can focus on their education without unnecessary distractions. Mobile phones, while useful in many contexts, have increasingly become a source of disruption in classrooms and during school activities.
“By eliminating their presence on schoolgrounds, we aim to enhance pupils’ engagement, academic performance and mental wellbeing. Moreover, this policy will help us maintain a safe and respectful environment. We want to minimise issues related to cyberbullying, unauthorised use of cameras, and other concerns that could arise from mobile phone usage.”
Join our Family WhatsApp group HERE
Parents and carers were asked for their ‘support in ensuring that pupils leave their mobile phones at home’, with anyone with exceptional circumstances requiring their child to have a phone with them asked to complete a request form.
The Valley Leadership Academy banned phones on school premises last year(Image: Google Maps)
The letter said: “Please note that the school will only allow a mobile phone to be brought into school in the case of exceptional circumstances.
“If permission is granted for your child to bring a mobile phone into school this year, they will be required to place their mobile phone in a secure locker whilst they are in school. When they arrive at school each day, your child will be required to put their phone in their locker and to collect it when leaving school.”
A spokesperson for The Valley Leadership Academy said: “The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is our highest priority. The school uses hand-held screening wands at the entrance to help identify harmful items such as vapes, which are increasingly prevalent and pose serious health risks to young people. These checks have been in place since last year and are carried out in a compassionate and respectful manner by trained staff.
“The checks are random and not every pupil is scanned every day. We understand that some pupils may feel anxious, and we are committed to supporting them. We will be writing to all parents shortly to explain the process and reassure families.
“Mobile phones are a separate matter. The school has invested in lockers to support a device-free learning environment, helping pupils to focus and thrive without distraction. We know that mobile phones can be a safeguarding concern, and our approach reflects our commitment to creating a calm and safe school environment for all.”
Does your child’s school have scanners or are they searched before class? How do you feel about such policies? Is your child allowed to take their mobile phone to school? Let us know your views in the comments here.