'Schools taking fingerprints of pupils without parents' consent'

Schools are taking children's fingerprints without their parents knowing, teachers warned today.

A system using pupils' "biometric" data to process school lunch payments has been introduced in about 100 state schools across England.

Children scan their thumbs on a glass screen and lunch money placed in an account is deducted.

But there are fears that civil liberties are at risk as schools do not have to ask for parents' consent before scanning pupils' fingers.

Capital City Academy in Willesden sparked outrage after introducing the system without first seeking the permission of parents.

Members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers meeting in Manchester are demanding a campaign of industrial action to oppose the development.

Hank Roberts, from Copland School in Wembley, said the trend was "outrageous", adding: "This is a serious issue of civil liberties."

Capital City Academy principal Alex Thomas admitted that the school had not sought written permission from parents before introducing the system last year. But he stressed that the school had wiped the first set of scans and started again with only those pupils whose parents had given their consent.

Mr Thomas said no images of children's fingerprints were stored and none could be re-produced from the four-digit code.

He said: "Many parents, once they have seen the system in action, have supported the school in introducing the system.

"Previously students were using (payment) cards, which could be lost or stolen. The biometric system prevents that happening and is much quicker."