Teachers have called for 'airport-style' searches of pupils

Ministers say heads will be able to use "reasonable" force to check children of the same sex for guns or knives if they suspect they are carrying them.

They will also be allowed to remove "outer clothing" to do so.

But the Secondary Heads Association called for more protection against allegations of improper conduct.

'Assurances needed'

Its general secretary, John Dunford, told the BBC News website: "We are still quite worried.

"Before now we could only search pupils with their permission. Under the new arrangements we can do this if we have reasonable suspicion.

"We need some assurances before we advise a head to do this. Otherwise they could be subject to allegations of improper conduct."

Under the plans, outlined in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill, heads, or members of staff authorised by heads, can carry out searches.

They must do so in the presence of someone over the age of 18 who is also of the same sex as the pupil.

Any item thought to be a weapon can be confiscated.

The NASUWT teachers' union has called for "airport-style" searches at schools, to detect weapons and improve staff safety.

General secretary Chris Keates welcomed the government's announcement, but added that changes "should not be on the basis of heads or teachers carrying out the searches themselves".

She said: "Such an expectation would be counter-productive.

"Not only are there risk factors involved but it could have an adverse effect on the nature of a teacher's relationship with pupils."

Instead they should be able to "commission" the searches from the police - not conduct them themselves.