18 January 2002
Education Secretary Estelle Morris outlined firm new rules on January 15 for dealing with violence to help stem the rising tide of bullying and prevent incidents such as the murder of Damilola Taylor.
Pupils found carrying weapons or bullying will be treated in the same way as those who carry out violent assaults and drug dealing, and will face automatic exclusion. They will be sent to special units to address their anti-social behaviour.
Morris's announcement represents a U-turn by the government, which previously sought to cut exclusions by pursuing a 'softly, softly' approach, meaning few pupils could be expelled after a first offence.
The most recent figures, published in 2000, showed that the government had reached its original target of reducing exclusions by a third, with 8,300 pupils expelled in the previous 12 months.
Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of the teaching union NASUWT, said the move was a 'long overdue step back towards reality, common sense and the re-establishment of the rule of law in schools. For far too long teachers and pupils have been at the mercy of a small but increasing number of weapon-carrying adolescent thugs with licence to behave with impunity.
'[Violent behaviour] often went unpunished thanks to the pitiful "protection" provided by appeals panels.'
David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said that measures to reform appeal panels contained in the Education Bill would also 'go a long way to giving teachers and their staff the support they need in dealing with pupil misbehaviour'.
PFjan2002
