Confiscated Property:

It’s very easy to be envious of schoolteachers if you focus on those fantastic holidays. But the grass is not always greener. Imagine controlling a classroom of 30 teenagers. That is challenging enough, but consider the problems of dealing with the issue of mobile phones.

“Seven of the kids fetched them at lunchtime but I still had one which I didn’t notice until I got home. I wasn’t able to return it until after school the following day, by which time there had been parental complaints and an almighty row.” This quote from a teacher is not uncommon, because let’s face it every kid has a mobile phone, an iPod, an MP3 player, a Gameboy ......and they use them at school.

Mission impossible
The brief to Service was to design a document, which had clear paperwork and a bag for the confiscated item. It had to be simple to use by teaching and support staff alike. The creative wheels at Service HQ started to turn. Three different prototypes were tested. The final product was a triumph, consisting of these elements.

2-part NCR set
- to allow the school to give a copy of the paperwork to the pupil and retain the other part.

With a bag attached
- the Bag is welded to the paperwork and ensures the confiscated item is visible and secure.
- the bag also has a sealing strip, which allows it to be opened and closed many times.

Sequence numbered
- to ensure that the school maintains a good, formal system of paperwork

Signature box
- the pupil signs in one box when the phone is confiscated
- the pupil/parent/guardian signs another box upon collection.

The feedback for the new product has been excellent, meaning that the form has now been rolled out to other schools and colleges:

“Teachers feel a lot safer with this system, because a confiscated item won’t now be lost by the school." Brenda McGuire, school secretary.
“A much more official system, because of the numbering and receipt copy. I would definitely recommend this product to other schools.” says teacher Karen Graves,