Private tutor smacking loophole closed

Under current rules, smacking is banned in England's state and private schools, but the law does not cover part-time education institutions, such as Sunday schools, private tutors or madrassas.

This is because schools or teachers who take pupils for less than 12.5 hours a week have the same status as a person standing in for a parent, who is allowed to give a child a light smack.

The change follows a report from the Chief Adviser on Child Safety, Sir Roger Singleton. He said: "Banning physical punishment outside of the family home sends a straightforward message that it is entirely unacceptable in any form of care, education or leisure. There is some excellent ongoing work promoting positive parenting techniques. It is imperative that this work continues to give all parents the ability to support a child's development without the recourse to physical punishment."

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said the move was "sensible and proportionate".