A Croxley school has revealed plans to install CCTV cameras in its bathrooms.
Rickmansworth School, on Scots Hill, announced the initiative through a letter sent to parents and guardians, which explained that the cameras were in the process of being installed but would not be operational until after February half term.
The letter also states: “We fully appreciate that your child’s privacy is paramount and we are taking every step to ensure that the placement of the cameras maintains your child’s privacy when using the urinals and toilet cubicles.
“The cameras will be in a fixed position and will cover the area around the wash basins and the surrounding floor space only.”
The letter states that the reason for installing the cameras is to ensure students’ safety within these areas, and so that the pastoral team can properly investigate any incidents which take place there.
It also adds that the matter was raised with the school’s student parliament and parents panel, and that pupils will be spoken to about it.
One parent at the school contacted CROXLEYnews to express her concerns over the announcement.
The parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I’m totally against it. If kids are doing things they shouldn’t, such as vaping or smoking, then I’d suggest that staff should be dealing with them, not watching on a screen.”
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council, acting on behalf of the school, said: “The safeguarding of our students underpins every action we take and, like many schools, we are installing CCTV cameras within the communal areas of our washroom facilities to act as a deterrent to many forms of anti-social behaviour.
“Our decision to install these cameras and the reasons for doing so have been communicated to students and parents/carers and we are certain that the privacy of our students will not be compromised. The cameras in question will not point at or record the urinals or stalls.”
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