Rules to curb commerce in schools

There are fears that advertising could affect children's diet

New guidelines to curb commercial activities in Scotland's schools have been launched.

The Scottish Consumer Council has worked with the Scottish Executive, councils and business organisation CBI Scotland to produce the advice.

Schools will be given a checklist to consult and must discuss contracts over £3,000 with the local authority.

However, head teachers will retain the freedom to accept low-key sponsorship which they feel will benefit children.

The guidelines follow concerns that companies have too much influence over children.

What we are providing here are guidelines to stop inappropriate commercial activity Graham Millar Scottish Consumer Council

Graham Millar, the chairman of the Scottish Consumer Council, said there was a "moral obligation" on schools to heed the advice.

"It is sponsored and supported by both the public and private sector and if schools want to ignore these guidelines then parents should be asking serious questions about the heads of schools," he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme.

He said the guidelines were needed because many schools found it hard to resist the offers from businesses.

The organisations involved in the project were concerned that "aggressive advertising" could have a negative influence on children's diet and health.

"What we are providing here are guidelines to stop inappropriate commercial activity," said Mr Millar.

Welcomed guidelines

"There is definitely a role for commercial businesses being involved in schools and what we are saying is there are certain rules you have to align yourself with."

He said the guidelines would give head teachers a benchmark by which applications could be judged.

Brian Miller, the rector of Dalziel High School in Motherwell, welcomed the guidelines as "reasonable and flexible".

Dalziel High School introduced its own branded crisps and water

His school has already taken a stand by not allowing sponsorship and advertising from big companies on the premises.

"We rejected vending machines and major companies, we did something different," he said.

"We went out and marketed our own brand of water and we promoted that, and now Dalziel Water is a big seller.

"We got the double whammy - we have a positive attitude to the school with the school brand, and at the same time we have the health aspect of it. All in all it was terrific."

The school also introduced its own brand of crisps.

Mr Miller said it was preferable to have local companies getting involved in supporting the school.