Tory law would give power to teachers

A Tory government would give more powers to teachers to crack down on wayward children.

The number of children being suspended, known as a fixed period exclusion, for physical assault against another pupil has risen by almost 3,000 to more than 65,000 in the last year.

There were 334 suspensions for physical assault against a pupil in 2006/7.

Shadow children’s secretary Michael Gove said: “This is further evidence of the lack of discipline in our schools.

“We will change the law to give teachers unequivocal powers to maintain discipline. Heads need the power to expel children who are violent to others without the possibility of seeing that child returned to the school.”

They say they they would end the right to appeal against exclusions to an independent appeals panel as it undermines the authority of headteachers.

Laws will also be changed to allow teachers to deal with violent incidents, remove disruptive pupils and physically restrain disruptive children without fear of legal action.

Headteachers would also be given powers to pay bonuses to teachers as a reward for dealing effectively with violence and disruption.