Tuesday 17th October 2023
Dear Parents/Carers,
As part of reviewing our safeguarding provision we are considering installing CCTV cameras in the school toilets. We understand that this may raise some concerns and we would like to take this opportunity to explain our reasons for doing so, and the process we have worked through so far.
Safeguarding and the wellbeing of our pupils is of utmost importance to us. We strive to take all necessary measures to ensure that our school environment is safe and secure for all pupils. Toilets are an area of the school that are not as visible as others and historically toilets are the areas where unsafe and antisocial behaviour can happen such as pupils feeling intimidated, bullying, graffiti, vandalism and more recently there have been isolated incidents where pupils have been found vaping in the toilets. Naturally, such actions result in a combination of sanctions and education. This measure has been used successfully by other schools, nationally and locally, to mitigate against these forms of behaviour.
Parents and carers were invited to a safeguarding consultation, earlier this year, where this proposal was discussed, amongst other matters, with a small number of parents who attended. Likewise, a group of pupils have been consulted and presented their outcomes to members of the Governing Body. Both groups were very much in favour of the proposal. We have also worked closely with Local Authority officers who have experience of fitting CCTV in toilets in other schools.
The CCTV will not be live streaming and will be motion activated. Specialist software will be used to screen off the cubicles and urinals. We would like to reassure you that the cameras will only be monitored by a limited number of authorised personnel and that footage will be viewed in a private area and only in the event of an incident. The cameras will not be used for any other purpose. We will also be introducing a CCTV policy and Data Impact Statement with guidance from the Local Authority as well as visible signage.
We have arranged an additional Parent/Carer consultation session on this matter, which will be held in school on Thursday 26th October at 4.30pm. If you would like to attend please email info@pontcomp.co.uk . If you have any questions or concerns, please do attend. We want to reassure parents/carers that the decision has been made in the best interests of our pupils. Thank you for your understanding and support in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. R. Thomas
Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Officer
