School announces it will start searching pupils' bags for sweets and fizzy drinks

One school in Kent has started monitoring the food and drink brought through the gates by pupils.

The Charles Dickens School in Broadstairs announced the new plans via their website.

'From term 3, 4 January, sweets, fizzy drinks, energy drinks and multi-pack sizes of unhealthy food/drink are not allowed to be brought into school,' the statement said.

'Bag checks will take place every morning and any found will be confiscated and not returned to students.'

As well as scouring bags for naughty snacks and sugary beverages, the school revealed that they will be cracking down on clothes too.

The post continued: 'The checks include wearing the correct uniform and that all students are wearing formal school shoes.'

The Charles Dickens School made their decision to start analysing what students were tucking into after seeing a decline in performance.

'We had noticed a deterioration in concentrations, learning and behaviour particularly from students bringing into school large multi-packs of unhealthy food, snacks and drinks,' head teacher Mr Morgan explained.

He also went on to say that the scheme is proving to be very successful so far.

'Since the introduction of this policy, which we are delighted to have the support of the majority of parents and students, we have seen a significant improvement in student concentration, attitude to learning and improved behaviour.'

In a bid to make eating a balanced diet a normal part of everyday life at the secondary, Independent Catering will be working with the Charles Dickens School to offer the students dishes cooked using local seasonal produce.

Meals on offer included creamy chickpea and vegetable curry served with pilau rice and Bombay potatoes, Texan bean chilli wrap with salad and sun-dried tomato and basil omelette served with parsley new potatoes and mixed salad.

What do you think of the school's decision to search bags? Would you like to see the idea rolled out at your school? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!