CCTV in class spies on teachers, says union

By Graeme Paton, Education Editor

Last Updated: 2:45am GMT 18/03/2008

Schools are becoming "Orwellian" societies where CCTV cameras in classrooms monitor pupil behaviour and staff performance, teachers will warn today.

They are relying on "Big Brother-style" tactics to crack down on assaults on staff and fellow children, it is claimed.

Many of the Government's semi-independent academies have installed cameras and two-way mirrors to let senior staff monitor pupils, they say...

...Schools are believed to have first installed classroom CCTV four years ago, with an academy in Middlesbrough using cameras to monitor pupil behaviour and protect expensive equipment...

Whole article here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/18/nschools118.xml

Tuesday March 18,2008

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/38413/Teacher-fears-over-classroom-CCTV

Teachers warned of an "Orwellian" surveillance culture developing in schools as more classrooms are fitted with CCTV cameras to monitor pupils' behaviour.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) voiced concern over how increased monitoring of lessons and pressure to get better exam results risks undermining the quality of education.

New school buildings are being fitted with cameras to make sure children can be caught if they misbehave, according to Julia Neal, president of the ATL.

Ms Neal, a history teacher from Torquay Girls' Grammar School in Devon, warned that the cameras could be used to keep an eye on teachers in future as well.

"They (cameras) are probably put in to monitor behaviour," she said, speaking at the ATL annual conference in Torquay.

"But because they are there they can then be used in other ways as well."

She predicted that by 2013, the Government's focus on test results and school league tables - combined with increased observation of lessons - could have "led to a world with Orwellian overtones".

"It might be a far-fetched notion that Big Brother will be watching over schools in the next five years, but you only have to listen to what ATL delegates talk about this week to see the current reality of an over-measured, over-monitored education system," she said.

"Teachers will talk about surveillance cameras in classrooms, about over-zealous observation of their teaching.

"We will hear about teachers delivering a prescriptive curriculum and teaching to the tests in order to secure a good place in the league tables for their school. These issues all add up to an education system which focuses on targets and outcomes, and fails to meet individual pupils' needs despite the Government's pledge for personalisation," she said.

Schools are gathering CCTV evidence illegally as every one breaks strict guidelines

Last updated at 11:12am on 14th May 2008

Every one of 60 schools picked at random was found to be ignoring strict guidelines over the use of CCTV
Schools across the UK are using CCTV cameras illegally and breaking laws by using footage as evidence in court cases, a new study has found.

Every one of 60 schools picked at random was found to be ignoring strict guidelines over the use of CCTV - with one school even aiming cameras into a neighbour's back garden.

The study, by national advisory body CameraWatch, found that none of the schools met strict standards imposed by the law and as a result evidence gathered by schools in court cases may not even be legal.

The guidelines, which schools are supposed to follow, include warning people what cameras are used for and making sure that cameras are pointing in the right direction.

Schools must also store recording equipment and personal data correctly.

Paul Mackie, CameraWatch's compliance director, warned that images recorded by the schools camera systems tested were grainy, poorly exposed and in most cases illegal because procedures were not adequately followed.....

Whole article here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=566338&in_page_id=1770