Teachers to get new search powers

The extension of existing powers to search pupils for weapons is a key recommendation of the latest report of the Government's top adviser on behaviour in schools, Sir Alan Steer.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls welcomed the report and indicated that ministers were ready to bring in legislation to implement the search powers which would also cover cigarettes and stolen property.

"I want to build on the powers we have already given teachers following Sir Alan's earlier recommendations on searching for weapons by extending these to cover drugs, alcohol and other inappropriate items," he said.

"It will ensure that everyone knows that a teacher's authority in the classroom is unquestionable and teachers are clear about their right to use them."

The Government has already introduced legislation to give schools the right to search pupils for knives and other dangerous weapons, as well as enabling them to screen youngsters using arch and wand metal detectors.

In his report, Sir Alan expresses particular concern about alcohol which, he says represents a bigger problem for most schools than drugs.

In other measures, he calls for schools to use new technology to help tackle truanting - sending texts or emails to alert parents if their children fail to turn up for lessons.

He also calls for better training for teachers to deal with unruly behaviour, with more detailed recommendations to be published in his final report due out in the autumn.

The publication of his report comes ahead of the launch on Tuesday of the Government's £100 million youth crime action plan by Mr Balls, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, and Justice Secretary Jack Straw.