Student Services (Sixth Form)

As part of our crime and drugs education programme, we work in collaboration with the Police and a specialist dog detection company called ICTS.

Drug detection dogs visit our sites at various points throughout the year. This is nothing to worry about and is part of our routine curriculum and security procedures.

While they are here, they will be walking around college screening for illegal substances.

To find out more, read the FAQs below. If you have questions not covered here, please contact Student Services at studentservices.sixthform@windsor-forest.ac.uk

Why is the College doing this?

We want our College to be a safe place free of drugs and other illegal substances for our students and staff.

Inviting the detection dogs (sniffer dogs) to our site is part of our wider drug and crime education programme. Already this year we've talked about County Lines and drug education in assemblies and Core Studies. The local community police team also spent a morning on site with a security arch screening for offensive weapons.

The Drug Detection Dog team regularly tour schools and colleges, and we have invited them to Windsor and Strode's College.

These proactive measures, along with disciplinary action when drugs or illegal substances are found, help discourage students bringing such items to college and helps keep our community safe.

What will happen on the day?

We are welcoming two teams of drug detection dogs with their handlers. They are from a specialist 'sniffer dog' company called ICTS which works in collaboration with police forces across the UK.

They will be walking around college, meeting students and checking our building for any illegal substances.

Do not stop to stroke or pet them, they are working dogs. Ask the handler if you can say 'hello'.

If the dog and handler approach you, do not panic. Stop if you are asked to and listen for instructions. You may be asked to complete a voluntary search of your bag / coat. If this request is made, it will be explained to you on the day.

Are the dogs dangerous?

The dogs are highly trained and have very experienced handlers. They do not need to touch anyone to detect drugs.

While the dogs are friendly, they are working dogs, so do not stroke or pet them. You are welcome to approach them and ask the handler if you can say hello.

Are you trying to get people into trouble?

No. Everyone knows that we do not allow illegal drugs in the college. We also do not expect anyone to be under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol on college premises or on college related trips and activities.

Your Student Contract sets out all of the behaviours that the College does not accept.

Information about our policies and procedures are on the student intranet here and the student contract can be viewed here.

What if a dog smells an illegal substance on me or my belongings?

If this happens, a member of college staff will have a chat with you. You will also be searched under the College search procedures. If an illegal substance is found, you will be issued a warning under the College's disciplinary procedures.

On this occasion, we will not be contacting the police unless we have good reason to believe there is something serious going on. In the future, we may have Police and sniffer dogs on site and if you are found to be in the possession of drugs, you may face police action in addition to a College serious misconduct disciplinary.

What if the dog smells someone else's drugs on me?

Firstly, make good decisions about who you are friends with or choose to hang around with.

Secondly, if you are not in possession of drugs at college, we will talk to you as if you have used or carried drugs.

Can the dogs detect non-illegal or prescription drugs?

Very rarely. If this happens, we will give you the opportunity to explain and provide evidence. For example, show us what over the counter or prescription medicines you have on you. The prescription needs to be in your name and carried with you for a specific reason.

Will the police be on site too?

No, not this time. There may be later dates when the police will be in college on the same days as the sniffer dog teams or for other crime prevention reasons.

We work closely with local police forces, so in addition to working with ICTS, we may occasionally have similar visits from local officers and their canine companions.

I'm worried about illegal drugs. What should I do?

If you are in a difficult situation outside (or inside) college with drugs, or you need to talk, we encourage you to approach a member of staff. This can be your personal tutor, someone in Student Services or a member of the safeguarding team.

The Safeguarding team can be reached by emailing safeguarding.sixthform@windsor-forest.ac.uk or by calling 01753 443850.

We will always do our best to help you, or put you in touch with someone who can offer more support.

Watch Bentley at work at Strode's College... we hid some confiscated items to see if he could find them in our Learning Centre...

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