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PRESS RELEASE
Gob Check
Parents Against Bullying At Thorns (PABAT) have learnt from bemused and anxious parents
that some children at Thorns Community College are being subjected to intimate searches.
A science teacher who PABAT understand is temporary, is subjecting children whom she
believes is chewing bubble/chewing-gum to a mouth search, or as it is referred to amongst
pupils, a Gob search.
Several pupils have complained to their parents that the teacher orders them to open their
mouths then stands in front of them, at a distance of no greater than 1 foot away and
squints into their mouths, insisting that they move their tongues from side to side to prove
nothing is hidden in their mouths.
Interim Chairman of PABAT, Luke, commented, We have long since complained and
campaigned against the inability of teachers and senior leaders to control disruptive and
bullying behaviour at the school, although it now appears that they have gone too far the
other way.
A parent who is also a solicitor advised PABAT that although the practice was legal it is very
draconian as it borders on an intimate search, which would clearly be well beyond the
remit of the school to conduct. He concluded, This is something reminiscent of 1970s
teaching, with the proximity to which the teacher stands well within the comfort or
personal zone of the pupils.
When PABAT contacted Thorns for an explanation on behalf of worried parents the unnamed person we spoke to laughed before putting the phone down.
PABAT are keen to hear from anybody wishing to join the support group, whether they be
existing pupils or parents of children at the school, or former pupils/parents.

Copies of all our press releases are available on our website.

PABAT, a support group for pupils at Thorns Community College, and their parents, was
formed due to the bullying of some pupils and the schools failure to act to protect those
subjected to this kind of behaviour.
Pupils and parents can contact PABAT for confidential support and advice about bullying at
Thorns Community College via the website or email address shown above.
Press use only
Press Officer XX, 07X XX XX
13 June 2016

Copies of all our press releases are available on our website.