CCTV used in more than 200 school toilets

More than 200 schools are using CCTV cameras in toilets or changing rooms, figures showed today.

A total of 825 cameras were located in the toilets or changing rooms of 207 schools across England, Scotland and Wales, figures provided by more than 2,000 schools showed.

Almost one in 10 of the schools which use CCTV said cameras were positioned in such places, while 54 have more than one camera for every 15 students.

Nick Pickles, director of Big Brother Watch, said: "This research raises serious questions about the privacy of schoolchildren across Britain, with some schools having one camera for every five pupils and hundreds of schools using cameras in toilets and changing rooms.

"The full extent of school surveillance is far higher than we had expected and will come as a shock to many parents.

"Schools need to come clean about why they are using these cameras and what is happening to the footage.

"Local authorities also need to be doing far more to reign in excessive surveillance in their areas and ensuring resources are not being diverted from more effective alternatives."

Big Brother Watch, which published the figures following a Freedom of Information Act request to more than 2,000 schools, also warned that the Home Office's proposals for a new regulatory structure was "not fit for purpose".

The new post of Surveillance Camera Commissioner "will have absolutely no powers to do anything", Mr Pickles added.

"Parents will be right to say that such a woefully weak system is not good enough."

Responses from 2,107 secondary schools and academies showed they used 47,806 cameras, including 26,887 inside school buildings.

With 1.8 million pupils being taught in these schools, there was an average of one camera for every 38 children.

In all, 90% of schools had CCTV cameras, with an average of 24 cameras in each of the 1,537 secondary schools that responded and 30 cameras in each of the 570 academies.

The estimated number of CCTV cameras in secondary schools and academies across England, Wales and Scotland was now 106,710, the campaigners said.

The Radclyffe School in Oldham topped the list of schools with 20 cameras in toilets or changing rooms.

Its head teacher, Hardial Hayer, said its cameras are above doors entering toilets, and only overlook washbasins.

He said the cameras had been placed so it was possible to tell who was going in, but added they are not near cubicles.

The school has a high number of cameras because the school, which is in a new building that opened four and a half years ago, has smaller toilet blocks than many schools, Mr Hayer said.

"We have cameras around corridors and fields, it's part of the overall security."

He added: "It is misleading to say we have the highest number, it all depends on the design. We are also a much bigger school than the average secondary school."

Siobhan Freegard, co-founder of parenting website Netmums, said: "I think everybody realises that this is not in the cubicles, it is in the open areas, and actually, that's where a lot of bullying and difficult behaviour takes place.

"It is an area where teachers are not likely to be. Parents are probably quite pleased about it."

Sharon Holder, GMB National Officer, said: "This is both outrageous and unacceptable and GMB will be looking at the personal and human rights infringements."

A Department for Education spokesman said: "We have already acted to make it unlawful for schools to use biometric data like fingerprints without parents' permission.

"CCTV can be beneficial in some cases but this is a decision that head teachers should take.

"Schools using CCTV are required by law to adhere to the Data Protection Act."

Schools and academies with CCTV cameras in toilets and/or changing rooms

:: Name - Region - Local authority area - number of cameras in bathrooms and/or changing rooms

1) The Radclyffe School - North West - Oldham - 20

2) St Mary's Church of England High School (VA) - East of England - Hertfordshire - 18

3) The Friary School - West Midlands - Staffordshire - 14

4) Wildern School - South East - Hampshire - 12

5) Ecclesfield School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Sheffield - 12

6) Portland School - East Midlands - Nottinghamshire - 12

7) King Ecgbert School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Sheffield - 12

8) Montgomery High School - North West - Blackpool - 12

9) St Wilfrid's Catholic High School and Sixth Form College - Yorkshire and Humberside - Wakefield - 12

10) Thomas Deacon Academy - East Midlands - Peterborough - 12

11) Roundhay School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 12

12) John Smeaton Community College - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 11

13) Queensbury School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Bradford - 11

14) Sydney Smith School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Kingston upon Hull - 10

15) Ralph Thoresby School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 10

16) Hinde House 3-16 School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Sheffield - 10

17) Dorcan Technology College - South West - Swindon - 10

18) Brockhill Park Performing Arts College - South East - Kent - 10

19) Canon Slade CofE School - East Midlands - Bolton - 10

20) Sir Henry Cooper School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Kingston upon Hull - 10

21) Highfields School - East Midlands - Derbyshire - 10

22) The Hewett School - East of England - Norfolk - 9

23) The Phoenix Collegiate - West Midlands - Sandwell - 9

24) Carr Manor High School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 8

25) Sowerby Bridge High School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Calderdale - 8

26) Kingsmead Technology College - West Midlands - Staffordshire - 8

27) Lipson Community College - South West - Plymouth - 8

28) Hamble Community Sports College - South East - Hampshire - 8

29) Ulverston Victoria High School - North West - Cumbria - 8

30) Benton Park School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 8

31) Woodkirk Academy - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 8

32) Merrill College - East Midlands - Derby - 8

33) Boston Spa School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 8

34) Central Foundation Girls' School - London - Tower Hamlets - 7

35) The Bishop David Brown School - South East - Surrey - 7

36) Abbey Grange Church of England Academy - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 7

37) Rainford High Technology College - North West - St Helens - 7

38) Belgrave High School - West Midlands - Staffordshire - 7

39) St Edward's Church of England School & Sixth Form College - London - Havering - 7

40) Kingsford Community School - London - Newham - 6

41) The Elmgreen School - London - Lambeth - 6

42) Acton High School - London - Ealing - 6

43) Heston Community School - London - Hounslow - 6

44) Outwood Academy Valley - East Midlands - Nottinghamshire - 6

45) Lawnswood School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 6

46) The Charles Dickens School - South East - Kent - 6

47) Buxton Community School - East Midlands - Derbyshire - 6

48) Whitcliffe Mount Specialist Business and Enterprise College - Yorkshire and Humberside - Kirklees - 6

49) The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College - South West - Swindon - 6

50) Sandwich Technology School - South East - Kent - 6

51) Thornleigh Salesian College - North West - Bolton - 6

52) The Blue School - South West - Somerset - 6

53) Chilton Trinity Technology College - South West - Somerset - 6

54) Teignmouth Community School - South West - Devon - 6

55) Patchway Community College - South West - South Gloucestershire - 6 (cameras are "turned off")

56) Westborough High School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Kirklees - 6

57) The Westlands School - South West - Torbay - up to 6

58) Madeley High School - West Midlands - Staffordshire - 5

59) Lowton Church of England High School - North West - Wigan - 5

60) Parkside Secondary School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Bradford - 5

61) The Mountbatten School - South East - Hampshire - 5

62) Kings Norton High School - West Midlands - Birmingham - 5

63) Kettlethorpe High School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Wakefield - 5

64) Crown Hills Community College - East Midlands - Leicester - 5

65) Gumley House RC Convent School, FCJ - London - Hounslow - 5

66) Ormiston Enterprise Academy - East Midlands - Derbyshire - 4

67) Lostock College - North West - Trafford - 4

68) Highcrest Academy - South East - Buckinghamshire - 4

69) Belvidere School - West Midlands - Shropshire - 4

70) Moor Park Business and Enterprise School - North West - Lancashire - 4

71) Melksham Oak Community School - South West - Wiltshire - 4

72) Rivers Academy West London - London - Hounslow - 4

73) Sedgehill School - London - Lewisham - 4

74) Dixons Allerton Academy - Yorkshire and Humberside - Bradford - 4

75) Barking Abbey School - London - Barking and Dagenham - 4

76) Priesthorpe School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 4

77) Kingsmead School - London - Enfield - 4

78) Broad Oak Sports College - North West - Bury - 4

79) La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls' School - London - Lambeth - 4

80) Middlewich High School - North West - Cheshire East - 4

81) Plashet School - London - Newham - 4

82) Aldworth Science College - South East - Hampshire - 4

83) St Gregory the Great VA Catholic Secondary School - South East - Oxfordshire - 4

84) Mount St Joseph Business and Enterprise College - East Midlands - Bolton - 4

85) Ludlow Church of England School - West Midlands - Shropshire - 4

86) The County High School Leftwich - North West - Cheshire West and Chester - 4

87) St James's Church of England School and Sports College - North West - Bolton - 4

88) Horsforth School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 4

89) Priory School - South East - East Sussex - 4

90) Tiverton High School - South West - Devon - 4

91) The Thomas Aveling School - South East - Medway - 4

92) The Kimberley School - East Midlands - Nottinghamshire - 4

93) Maryhill High School - West Midlands - Staffordshire - 4

94) Cullompton Community College - South West - Devon - 4

95) Kings' School - South East - Hampshire - 4

96) Princes Risborough - South East - Buckinghamshire - 4

97) Cheadle Hulme High School - North West - Stockport - 4 (cameras are "not in use")

98) Stanchester Community School - South West - Somerset - 4

99) Testwood Sports College - South East - Hampshire - 4

100) Hodgson Academy - North West - Lancashire - 4

101) Theale Green Community School - South East - West Berkshire - 4

102) The Romsey School - South East - Hampshire - 4

103) St Paul's Catholic School - South East - Milton Keynes - 4

104) Ridgewood High School - West Midlands - Dudley - 4

105) Bishop Fox's School - South West - Somerset - 4

106) Guildford County School - South East - Surrey - 4

107) Salendine Nook High School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Kirklees - 4

108) Banbury School - South East - Oxfordshire - 4

109) Sir John Cass Foundation and Redcoat Church of England Secondary School - London - Tower Hamlets - 3

110) Copthall School - London - Barnet - 3

111) Washwood Heath Technology College - West Midlands - Birmingham - 3

112) Ashton Park School - South West - Bristol - 3

113) Painsley Catholic College - West Midlands - Staffordshire - 3

114) Downham Market High School - East of England - Norfolk - 3

115) Christopher Whitehead Language College - West Midlands - Worcestershire - 3

116) Southborough High School - London - Kingston upon Thames - 3

117) Ellesmere Port Catholic High School - North West - Cheshire West and Chester - 3

118) John Cabot Academy - South West - South Gloucestershire - 3

119) Holy Family Catholic High School, Carlton - Yorkshire and Humberside - North Yorkshire - 3

120) Warminster Kingdown - South West - Wiltshire - 3

121) Fullbrook School - South East - Surrey - 3

122) King Edward VI High School - West Midlands - Staffordshire - 3

123) Collingwood College - South East - Surrey - 3

124) Alleyne's High School - West Midlands - Staffordshire - 3

125) John Hanson Community School - South East - Hampshire - 3

126) St Gabriel's RC High School - North West - Bury - 3

127) Wellsway School - South West - Bristol - 3

128) Exmouth Community College - South West - Devon - 3

129) City of Leeds School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 2

130) Newall Green High School - North West - Manchester - 2

131) The Lord Silkin School - West Midlands - Telford and Wrekin - 2

132) Easthampstead Park Community School - South East - Bracknell Forest - 2

133) The Royal Docks Community School - London - Newham - 2

134) Almondbury High School and Language College - Yorkshire and Humberside - Kirklees - 2

135) Cleeve Park School - South East - Bexley - 2

136) Astley Sports College and Community High School - North West - Tameside - 2

137) The Challenge College - Yorkshire and Humberside - Bradford - 2

138) King Richard School - South East - Portsmouth - 2

139) Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy - West Midlands - Stoke-on-Trent - 2

140) Queen's Park High School - North West - Cheshire West and Chester - 2

141) The Hastings Academy - South East - East Sussex - 2

142) Copland Community School - London - Brent - 2

143) Mayfield School - South East - Portsmouth - 2

144) Blessed Trinity RC College - North West - Lancashire - 2

145) Wadham School - South West - Somerset - 2

146) St John Bosco Arts College - North West - Liverpool - 2

147) Hessle Federation - Yorkshire and Humberside - East Riding of Yorkshire - 2

148) William Beamont Community High School - North West - Warrington - 2

149) Pent Valley Technology College - South East - Kent - 2

150) The Hayling College - South East - Hampshire - 2

151) Matthew Moss High School - North West - Rochdale - 2

152) The Brunts Academy - East Midlands - Nottinghamshire - 2

153) Wetherby High School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Leeds - 2

154) Framingham Earl High School - East of England - Norfolk - 2

155) Titus Salt School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Bradford - 2

156) Wood Green School - South East - Oxfordshire - 2

157) Earlsheaton Technology College - Yorkshire and Humberside - Kirklees - 2

158) Marple Hall School - North West - Stockport - 2

159) Bournville School and Sixth Form Centre - West Midlands - Birmingham - 2

160) Denefield School - South East - West Berkshire - 2

161) Severn Vale School - South West - Gloucestershire - 2

162) Reddish Vale Technology College - North West - Stockport - 2

163) Pilton Community College - South West - Devon - 2

164) Hassenbrook School Specialist Technology College - East of England - Essex - 2

165) Heanor Gate Science College - East Midlands - Derbyshire - 2

166) Glyn School - South East - Surrey - 2

167) Rodborough Technology College - South East - Surrey - 2

168) Tibshelf School - East Midlands - Derbyshire - 2

169) Impington Village College - East of England - Cambridgeshire - 2

170) Manor School and Sports College - East Midlands - Northamptonshire - 2

171) Swanwick Hall School - East Midlands - Derbyshire - 2

172) Hounsdown School - South East - Hampshire - 2

173) The Brittons Academy Trust - London - Havering - 1

174) Thistley Hough High School - West Midlands - Stoke-on-Trent - 1

175) William Parker Sports College - South East - East Sussex - 1

176) Lawrence Sheriff School - West Midlands - Warwickshire - 1 (cameras are "not operational")

177) St Chads Catholic and Church of England High School - North West - Halton - 1

178) Long Field School - East Midlands - Leicestershire - 1

179) Highbury Fields School - London - Islington - 1

180) St Cuthbert Mayne School - South West - Torbay - 1

181) Cowplain Community School - South East - Hampshire - 1

182) Kingsbury High School - London - Brent - 1

183) St Peter's School - East of England - Cambridgeshire - 1

184) Cams Hill School - South East - Hampshire - 1

185) Plumstead Manor / Negus School - London - Greenwich - 1

186) The Grey Coat Hospital - London - Westminster - 1

187) Upton-by-Chester High School - North West - Cheshire West and Chester - 1

188) The Chantry School - West Midlands - Worcestershire - 1

189) Salesian School, Chertsey - South East - Surrey - 1

190) Woodbrook Vale High School - East Midlands - Leicestershire - 1

191) Bishop Walsh Catholic School - West Midlands - Birmingham - 1

192) The Marlborough Church of England School - South East - Oxfordshire - 1

193) Westbourne Sports College - East of England - Suffolk - 1

194) Eckington School - East Midlands - Derbyshire - 1

195) Rushcliffe School - East Midlands - Nottingham - 1

196) Greig City Academy - London - Haringey - Yes

197) Stockport School - North West - Stockport - Yes

198) Great Barr School - West Midlands - Birmingham - Yes

199) Rawlett Community Sports College - West Midlands - Tamworth - Yes

200) Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys - London - Greenwich - Yes

201) Longhill High School - South East - Brighton and Hove - Yes

202) South Charnwood High School - East Midlands - Leicestershire - Yes

203) St Edmund's Catholic School - South East - Portsmouth - Yes

204) Caldew School - North West - Cumbria - Yes

205) Raynes Park High School - London - Merton - Yes

206) St Bede's Catholic Grammar School - Yorkshire and Humberside - Bradford - Yes

207) Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy - North West - Halton - Yes

PA