Headteachers would be given powers to search pupils for weapons

Headteachers would be given new powers to search pupils for
knives and other weapons under plans outlined in a Labour
children’s manifesto launched yesterday, writes
Amy Taylor.

A third-term Labour government would also create new local
agreements on how police and schools would work together to ensure
schools remain safe for children and staff, the manifesto
reveals.

Further plans include making local authorities ensure that
specialist help for improving behaviour is given to schools where
Ofsted has graded pupil’s behaviour as unsatisfactory
straight away. Ofsted will also revisit any school with behaviour
problems within a year.

The manifesto goes on to reiterate how the government will also
introduce Fixed Penalty Notices for disorder for children under-16
and double the number of parents of young offenders who go on a
parenting course either through a Parenting Order or on a voluntary
basis.

It also reiterate plans to increase the number of programmes to
identify and support young people most at risk of offending by 50
per cent by 2008.

Children forward not back from: www.labour.org.uk