Examining electronic devices. School staff have the specific power under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (which has been increased by the Education Act 2011) to search for and, if necessary, delete inappropriate images or files on pupils’ electronic devices, including mobile phones, iPads and other tablet devices, where they believe there is a ‘good reason’ to do so. When deciding whether there is a good reason to examine or erase data or files on an electronic device, staff must reasonably suspect that the data or file in question has been, or could be, used to: Cause harm, and/or Disrupt teaching, and/or Break any of the school rules If inappropriate material is found on the device, it is up to the staff member in conjunction with the Headteacher or other member of the senior leadership team to decide whether they should: Delete that material, or Retain it as evidence (of a criminal offence or a breach of school discipline), and/or Report it to the police Any searching of pupils will be carried out in line with the DfE’s latest guidance on screening, searching and confiscation. Any complaints about searching for or deleting inappropriate images or files on pupils’ electronic devices will be dealt with through the school complaints procedure.
