GOV.UK
Guidance
Searching, screening and confiscation
Departmental advice explaining the powers schools have to screen and search pupils and to confiscate items they find.
Document
Detail
This departmental advice is for:
- school leaders
- school staff
- governing bodies
- local authorities
It applies to:
- maintained schools
- community schools
- foundation schools
- voluntary schools
- community special schools
- foundation special schools
- academies and free schools
- pupil referral units
- non-maintained special schools
The advice covers:
- powers to search without consent
- prohibited items schools can search for
- powers to confiscate items found during searches