Government condones using force to control school pupils

Teachers should use physical force to control unruly pupils and break up playground fights, the schools secretary said today. Ed Balls was launching new guidance which he said dispelled the myth that schools rules should stipulate "no contact" with pupils, and reassured staff that they would not face retribution if they intervened when children were out of control. Teachers have described how they fear legal action from parents if they try to restrain students, and have even spoken of children telling them: "You can't touch me or my mum will sue you." But speaking at the annual conference of the NASUWT union, Balls said that in certain circumstances, such as when pupils are fighting and could hurt each other, or a pupil is deliberately damaging property, continually refusing to follow instructions to leave a class, or seriously disrupting a lesson or school activity, it is acceptable to use force to control bad behaviour. The force used must be protective and not disciplinary, however. Balls also warned that schools would bear the brunt of government spending cuts if the Tories win power at the general election, claiming a Conservative government would be forced to cut teacher numbers and raise class sizes to pay for its promised cut in national insurance contributions. He told delegates in Birmingham: "Teachers have the powers they need to manage bad behaviour but I am aware that many fear retribution if they were to forcibly remove an unruly pupil. This guidance aims to stop teachers being afraid of using the powers they have when necessary. "Myths that schools should have 'no-contact policies', that teachers shouldn't be able to protect and defend themselves and others, will be dispelled by this new guidance, which makes clear that in some situations, teachers have the powers and protection to use force." The guidance comes days after schools were told they must take parents of persistently naughty children to court. Ministers said they want headteachers to make use of parenting orders, which can force parents to make their children behave or face fines of up to £1,000. Last week, a survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers found teachers believed behaviour in schools was worse now than five years ago, with pupils as young as five being disrespectful, intimidating and violent.