One of the reasons Classwatch has been so successful at Stockwell Park is the school only uses the system for positive action, such as to resolve a dispute or allegation, or to benefit teaching.
It is not deployed to discipline members of staff and cannot be viewed by just anyone.
“The teachers are a lot more relaxed about it now,” said Ms. Tapper. “At first some were slightly dubious, but now they realise that the cameras are there solely to deter and for information, they are now all for it.”
“Above all Classwatch is to make teaching feel safe and secure. You could go a year without needing the cameras but when an incident occurs and you do need them, you really need them,” she added.
It is not just the teachers who have been won round by Classwatch, the pupils at the school are also in favour of the system.
“It has given the children a great sense of security and of their rights,” said Ms. Tapper.
“When an incident occurs, the children know the cameras will reinforce what has happened.”
“It is a good idea as we know what is going on and when there is a problem it can be stopped,” agreed a girl from Year 7.
The pupils in Year 11 shared a similar sentiment. Here are just some of the positive comments voiced : “The cameras have calmed the school down.” “There are less fights than 2 years ago.” “I feel like I’m safer in the school now.” “I think they should stay.”
| BBC News | : A school introduces CCTV cameras |
| Guardian | : Classroom life in high definition |
| Daily Mail | : Big Brother CCTV (Complete with CPS evidence kit) |
| BBC News | : How CCTV works in schools |
| BBC News | : Teachers voice CCTV concerns |
Let us know your opinion - we all want our kids to be safe !
7 comments:
Everywhere we go we are being watched. Does it make us feel any safer or in fact are we any safer? This is a terrible idea to have cameras all over a school. I can understand the problem but there has to be a better way than this.
I was reading about what can happen to teachers and so many these days end up with allegations being made. It would stop that from happening and it'd help in other ways too. Child safety and security must come first and I think that it's not only a good idea, it is essential.
I agree with anonymous, how can teachers work these days? Everyone must feel secure and what is there to really safeguard our children and teacher alike. I read today that a child had been hospitalised as a result of an attack by a teacher but did it happen the way that its being told in the papers and who will ever know for sure? Cameras would tell the story. The idea is so simple and I can't see what's wrong with doing it in all schools.
I agree with Janet. Maybe the attack on the child in Mansfield might not have happened if there had been cameras. Things can get out of control quickly and it is possible that knowing that everything was being recorded would have defused the situation. The trouble is that everyone involved is injured in one way or another.
i dont understand what the fuss is about! there are already outside cameras that watch everybody and mr kidd watches them. so putting cameras in the classrooms is no different. if theyd been there two years ago it wouldve saved a teachers job too. mr kidd wants everyone to feel safe so i think that should be done asap!
I have come to realize that there are no guarantees about childrens' safety or teachers either. We hear about the well considered rules, training and how well our children are protected but they aren't. As a parent dealing with only one child, I know how near there are times when I'm tired and at the end of my tether, a class of 30 or more must take a teacher to the edge at times. We have to face facts, the system doesn't work and it never has done. Last week proved it at Mansfield and there have been so many before then. Teachers too, thousands of careers and lives destroyed by a broken machine. The problem is that it's everywhere and look at all carers. I still don't think that cameras are the solution but maybe it's a step in the right direction. Maybe we need to trust in our teachers a bit more and to give them our support somehow. Schools need to rethink safety soon.
I saw another article this morning :
The school with 100 spy cameras
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