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A teacher who survived a stabbing by a 13-year-old student in a schoolyard has voiced strong opposition to the idea of equipping school staff with handheld scanners as a means of preventing violence. Liz Hopkin expressed concern that such measures focus too much on detecting weapons rather than stopping incidents before they happen. She emphasized that teachers should not be expected to act as security personnel.
Hopkin described the proposal to introduce protocols involving scanners as misleading, suggesting it merely shifts responsibility for security onto educators rather than addressing the root causes of violence. She warned that giving teachers the role of security guards risks damaging the trusting relationships they work to build with pupils, particularly those experiencing crises. According to Hopkin, asking vulnerable students to undergo scans could potentially escalate tensions rather than defuse them. She firmly stated, “We aren’t security. Stop putting the responsibility onto schools.”
In response, the Welsh government clarified that the new resources are part of a broader strategy developed from consultations with the education sector and following the National Behaviour Summit. These materials are designed to provide national consistency in safeguarding young people and school staff, including training and practical guidance. The government emphasized that decisions about using scanners would be made at a local level, and there is no expectation for school staff to assume security duties.
The serious incident involving Hopkin occurred at a school in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, where she, a colleague, and a pupil were attacked by a student previously known to be in possession of a knife. Hopkin highlighted that most children carry knives out of fear rather than intent to harm, and pointed to classroom disruption and social media as contributing factors. She made a case for earlier intervention and increased funding for support services, arguing that knife crime is not just an urban issue but is also affecting rural communities across Wales. Budget constraints on schools and related support agencies were cited as major obstacles to addressing these challenges effectively
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