British schools could introduce body cameras to record incidents

Two schools are in the early process of using recording devices to capture evidence when pupils misbehave, TES has reported.

This has already been rolled out in a number of US schools where a body camera is worn by teachers and allows them to turn on the device when they need to record an incident for proof.

Tom Ellis, principal lecturer at the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies at Portsmouth University, told Tes that “there is very much emphasis on getting rid of low-level disruption or disorder in the classroom”.

He continued: “It can be used for self-reflection. It can be shown back to the pupil, one on one, and that can have a positive impact without the need to resort to disciplinary process.”

Ellis believes that the recordings could be used as a deterrent of bad behaviour and is not surprised that there has been some negative reactions to the concept.