Senior school staff should have the power to search pupils without consent if they suspect they are carrying weapons, a press conference heard today.
Andrew Lowe, chairman of child and adult protection for Renfrewshire, was speaking at a press conference in Aberdeen’s town house today following the publication of his report into the fatal stabbing of schoolboy Bailey Gywnne.
The multi-agency probe was set up after the 16-year-old was stabbed at Cults Academy in Aberdeen on October 28 last year.
Mr Lowe told the press conference that the law “does not give sufficient support” to teachers in dealing with weapons in schools and we need to look at how other countries deal with searches.
However he added that he does not believe US-style metal detectors or security door staff are the solution.
In his report he concluded that Gwynne’s death was “potentially predictable and avoidable” if only others had reported that his killer regularly carried weapons at school.
Mr Lowe said today that both pupils and parents were aware Bailey’s killer was bringing weapons to school “for some time” but it was not reported to the authorities. He added it was seen as a “form of bravado” by an otherwise “quiet” pupil.
He also told the press conference that he had met Bailey Gwynne’s family yesterday and they showed their usual “remarkable dignity”.
Aberdeen City Council chief executive Angela Scott said work “will begin immediately” on implementing Lowe Report recommendations and that the council remains “committed” to publishing full report but need to resolve “legal and data protection” issues.
