Teachers Could Be Able To Use 'Reasonable Force' In Schools

Teachers could be able use "reasonable force" in schools as part of a tougher stance on bad behaviour, according to leaked government papers.

According to a confidential briefing paper by the Department of Education (DfE) obtained by the Guardian, a new package of disciplinary measures includes allowing teachers to use the obscure measure - although it isn't clear what "reasonable force" entails.

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Other measures included encouraging schools to confiscate or ban mobile phones, same-day detentions, and backing headteachers to exclude pupils.

The document, marked 'Official-Sensitive' according to the paper, details policy proposals designed to be put into action in the coming weeks.

It read: "This government backs headteachers to improve behaviour and will support them to create safe and disciplined school environments.

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"We will back heads to use powers to promote good behaviour including sanctions and rewards; using reasonable force; to search and confiscate items from pupils (including mobile phones); impose same-day detentions; suspend and expel students; ban mobile phones."

The document also outlined a host of other huge proposed changes to the education system including increasing pay for teachers with starting salaries rising to £30,000 by 2022, offering academy trusts £24,000 incentives to take over struggling schools, and offering a wave of new free schools.

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While proposals to up teachers' pay is no doubt positive, funding could be slashed for teaching assistants and support staff.

Other proposals in the package included removing exemptions from regular inspection for schools rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted, and pushing to convert local authority maintained schools to academy status.

A DfE spokesperson responded to the leak: "We do not recognise these figures. The prime minister has made clear that we will increase minimum levels of per pupil funding in primary and secondary schools and make real terms increases to education funding."

They added: "We will be announcing more details in due course."

Topics: Life News, Life

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara is a freelance journalist working for Tyla. After graduating from the University of Sussex, Ciara worked as a writer at GLAMOUR Magazine and later as the Assistant Editor of Yahoo Style UK.

@ciarasheppard