More than 1,000 schools spy on pupils' web browsing: Campaigners say families are not told about software being used to monitor activity 

  • Schools use snooping software to spy on pupils as they work on computers
  • To protect them from grooming by extremists or accessing adult websites
  • £2.5m software is installed on 821,386 computers, tablets and mobiles

By Eleanor Harding Education Correspondent For The Daily Mail

Published: 20:07 EST, 7 November 2016 | Updated: 22:00 EST, 7 November 2016

More than 1,000 schools are now using snooping software that can spy on pupils as they work on their computers, privacy campaigners have warned.

The technology aims to protect children from grooming by extremists or accessing adult websites, but it is sometimes installed without the knowledge of families.

And concerns have been raised that there is a risk that monitoring and filtering of online content may go too far.

Schools are using snooping software that can spy on pupils as they work on their computers (file photo)

Figures obtained under Freedom of Information requests by civil liberties group Big Brother Watch show that of 1,420 secondary schools in England and Wales which provided data, 1,000 use the technology.

The classroom management software packages can be used by schools in a number of ways, such as to monitor pupils’ internet activity, access their web history, block websites and check what is being typed into a computer.

Around £2.5 million has been spent by these schools on this software, which was installed on a total of 821,386 computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

Out of these 1,000 schools, 149 - around one in six - provided acceptable use policies, and of these, 26 gave information about the type of software and how it was used.

A total of 123 did not give any further details beyond stating that students may be monitored when using computers.

In its report, Big Brother Watch said that schools often consider buying the software to keep pupils safe online, or as part of their duty to help protect children from radicalisation.

Around £2.5m has been spent on the software on computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones (file photo)

But it added: ‘We are concerned that the use of technology which allows real time monitoring is placing teachers unwittingly in the position of being Big Brother.

‘Forcing staff to oversee their pupils’ every digital move represents a fundamental shift from the traditional method of overseeing pupils by engaging with them from the front of the class.’

‘Schools currently offer little explanation about the use of the software in their acceptable use policies.

‘Pupils and parents, who have to sign such policies to say they agree to the use of the software, are therefore left completely in the dark.’

Renate Samson, chief executive of Big Brother Watch said: ‘Finding the balance between keeping pupils safe online without impinging on their right to privacy is a challenge for every school.

‘But encouraging schools to track and monitor pupils creates a worrying precedent, particularly if pupils and parents are being left in the dark.’

Malcolm Trobe, interim general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: ‘Computer monitoring software is used in schools to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by ensuring that they are not exposed to damaging online material.

‘There is no secrecy about the use of this sort of software in schools. Pupils are very much aware of rules about computer use and most schools have policies which are available to parents.’ 

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