School discipline

An official working group led by Sir Alan Steer has recommended that teachers be given a "clear and unambiguous legal right" to discipline pupils.

 

Other proposals include extending the use of parenting contracts, making parents take responsibility for excluded pupils in the first five days of a suspension, and tightening up procedures of exclusion appeal panels.

 

"Contrary to what is often said, most schools are orderly places that for some children provide the stability and security they don't have in the rest of their lives," Sir Alan said.

 

"But we also know that a small minority of unruly pupils can make life very difficult for teachers and do real damage to the learning and attainment of other pupils in a class.

 

"The changes that we have recommended strengthen the authority of schools, giving them the confidence to take action and send a clear message to parents and pupils that they also have a responsibility in dealing with the problem."

 

 

Stakeholder Response: NUT