New crackdown on unruly pupils

Teachers will be given tough powers to search pupils for alcohol, drugs and mobile phones in a Government crackdown on bad behaviour, it was announced yesterday.

Rules allowing schools to use physical force to remove unruly students from the classroom are also set to be simplified, while teachers facing accusations from pupils will be granted anonymity to prevent careers being ruined by "malicious" claims.

The raft of measures, which have won support from the teaching

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profession, were unveiled by Schools Minister Nick Gibb yesterday as part of the drive to restore discipline to the classroom.

Official figures show 2,230 pupils were permanently excluded last year for physical assaults on teachers or fellow pupils and tens of

thousands more suspended. One in five secondary schools is rated "satisfactory" or worse by Ofsted for behaviour and two in five teachers have witnessed physical aggression – a quarter of them being the victims of it.

Mr Gibb said: "Heads and teachers know best how to improve behaviour but are too often constrained by regulations which inhibit them from maintaining control of the classroom. Today we are removing red tape so that teachers can ensure discipline in the classroom and promote good behaviour.

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"Teachers should feel confident in exercising their authority, and pupils should not have to suffer disruption to their learning caused by the poor behaviour of others."

A survey published by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) earlier this year found that teachers believe behaviour in schools is worse than it was five years ago, with pupils as young as five being disrespectful, intimidating and violent.

In April, science teacher Peter Harvey was cleared of attempted murder after hitting a 14-year-old boy around the head with a dumbbell after being goaded by the student while a friend filmed the heated exchanges on a handheld camcorder.

Mr Harvey had been trying to teach a lesson at All Saints Roman

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Catholic School in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, when the class descended into "uproar". He received support from the teaching profession, which raised concerns about behaviour in the classroom.

Unions called for tougher measures to clamp down on the use of mobile technology in lessons, and for consistent behaviour policies.

The general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Christine Blower said yesterday: "There are rare occasions when young people may be carrying and concealing dangerous materials.

"In those situations, teachers have to make a judgment call on the spot. In doing so, they should not be subject to the potential for accusations that they are acting illegally.

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"The current legislation makes an invidious distinction between alcohol, weapons and drugs and all other items. That does not reflect the reality of the situation teachers sometimes face."

HOW teachers will be able to tackle troublemakers

n Beefed-up powers for teachers to search pupils for alcohol, drugs and stolen property, as well as mobile phones, MP3 players, cameras, pornography, fireworks, cigarettes and so-called "legal highs".

n Further legislation allowing teachers to search for any item that could cause disorder.

n Courts will be told to heed clearer guidance that physical force can be used to remove youngsters from classrooms or restrain troublemakers.

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n Simplified guidance on the use of force will be published.

n An end to a ban on same-day detentions – under the current law schools must give pupils' parents 24 hours notice in writing.

n Reporting restrictions placed on allegations made about teachers, granting them anonymity.

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