Nothing sinister about CCTV in school toilets, say Leicestershire head teachers
Head teachers have defended the placement of CCTV cameras in toilets and changing rooms at schools.
A new report by civil liberties group Big Brother Watch revealed more than 200 schools nationwide were using CCTV cameras in these locations.
The group said this raised serious questions about the privacy of children and might come as a shock to some parents.
Four schools in Leicestershire were named: South Charnwood High, Markfield; Crown Hills College, Leicester; Long Field Academy, Melton; and Woodbrook Vale, Loughborough.
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But their head teachers said the cameras were used for security and safety reasons and there was nothing untoward.
South Charnwood High head Andrew Morris said: "We refurbished a toilet block about four years ago and spent a considerable amount of money.
"The cameras focus on the wash basins in the boys' and girls' toilets. Their position can't be altered and students are aware they're there.
"There's nothing sinister about this. It's simply to safeguard against any bad behaviour.
"The footage is only ever looked at if an incident happens and as far as I'm aware, it hasn't. No one has ever raised it as a concern."
Dean Barnett, business manager at Crown Hills College, where there are five cameras in toilet blocks, said: "They are there as you enter the toilet block and are not in the toilet itself.
"The cameras are there for safety and to act as a deterrent.
"Our younger pupils have spoken to us about feeling safe and that's why we also have toilet attendants at lunchtimes."
Rob Garrett, head of Long Field, said: "We have a camera in the foyer entrance to the toilets so we can see students coming and going. It has never been a problem.
"Toilets have long been identified as bullying hot spots as they're segregated areas. This is our way of ensuring that doesn't happen."
Graham Bett, head of Woodbrook Vale, said: "One camera along one of our main corridors is able to see the entrance of the toilet block.
"Parents of prospective pupils get shown around and it's not something we hide.
"We've had two attempted break-ins in the past and that's what cameras are there for."
Nick Pickles, of Big Brother Watch, which gathered the data using Freedom of Information requests, said: "The full extent of school surveillance is far higher than expected.
"Schools need to come clean about why they're using cameras and what's happening to the footage."
Comments
by CGLee
Thursday, September 20 2012, 1:15PM
“Well, City_C10, if you can't be bothered to tell me wht it is that you want, I can't be bothered to take it any further.”
by MacMonkey74
Thursday, September 20 2012, 10:37AM
“Well I will reiterate, CGLee has answered your question and so have I though you clearly didn't like my answer.
It would serve no purpose in the school that CGLee is involved with and it would serve no purpose in the school that my kids go to.
It may have been a problem where you taught but that only means that THOSE schools perhaps could have benefited. It does not mean it's needed in ALL schools.
That's pretty clear. Now if you could clarify just what it is you are trying to say we might get somewhere.”
by CGLee
Thursday, September 20 2012, 9:05AM
“City_C10, plase take me back a few steps and tell me which question it s you'd like me to answer.”
by cultureclub
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 12:23PM
“Having worked in a cctv control room i can clearly say i feel very uneasy about this. Just like anywhere you get people who misuse their trust/ authority. I can hand on heart say there are a lot of lies from the authorities as to what limits and how these cameras are used!!”
by CGLee
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 6:22PM
“You worry me all the time, City_C10!”
by MacMonkey74
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 3:00PM
“Like you CGLee, bullying isn't a problem in the school my daughter and son attend, despite my daughter suffering from a some low-level bullying herself.
It was sorted out without the need for surveillance in the school.
I believe that individual schools must make the decision based on their own needs, not have some expensive blanket CCTV dictat to all and sundry.”
by City_C10
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 2:04PM
“If you do not understand the meaning in my post CGLee then that is quite worrying.”
by CGLee
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 9:55AM
“Sorry, City_C10, but what is arrogant about my reply? I was stating a fact. Bullying in the primary school of which I am a governor is not an issue. Nothing arrogant about that, surely.
Bewlieve me, I know all about bullying. Family members of mine were bullied at school, one incident so serious that the police were involved, and a court case ensued. It wrecked one life,finishing up with the victim leaving early with no qualifications.”
by Chappy1884
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 9:05AM
“My Nephew who is disabled, goes to Longfield - he was bullied - in the classroom, and the playground, and found himself using the toilets to escape.
I don't know whether the cameras were installed then (last year), prior to this I wouldn't have supported the idea, not even for security or safety. And I still feel incredibly uneasy about the whole idea now. How are the recordings secured, and is the footage routinely viewed and by who'm and how often?”
by Rachel_Leics
Monday, September 17 2012, 11:23AM
“Umm I am not sure really, most schools have CCTV I know my college does and well there isn't much trouble there coz they have security about as well to check areas and more. X”