I am responding to The TES’s disturbing revelation on the issue of pornography (“Hardcore porn is part of pupils’ human rights”, March 20). I worked within a base for children with significant additional educational needs and a number were on the child protection register for sexual offences. These were highly vulnerable children and needed the law to protect them from harm. Harm can include the effects of pornographic material. If teachers cannot be given authority to search a child’s bag, to protect that child, then I don’t know what the world is coming to.

Pearl Barnes, Vice-president, Nasen and teacher leader for Every Child Counts.