Giving power back to teachers

Corporal punishment was banned in state schools in 1986 and some independent schools continued to use it until a decade later when it was banned.

Has the balance shifted too far the other way?

Education Secretary Michael Gove has warned that under the current system, teachers are now living in fear of breaking the rules while troublemaking students feel that the law is on their side.

Schools minister Nick Gibb has said that poorly-behaved children were detecting weakness in teachers and disrupting classrooms to the detriment of other pupils' education.

What are the Government going to do about it?

Ministers have introduced new guidance encouraging teachers to make greater use of physical force to "maintain good order". Although it is permitted legally in classrooms, provided pupils are not injured, it is rarely used because of fear of prosecution.

Teachers facing accusations of misconduct from their pupils are to be given anonymity. Ministers believe that the vilification of those facing false allegations is unacceptable and may be a deterrent to entering the profession.

What about pupils messing around on their mobile phones and MP3 players?

Teachers will be given more powers to search their students for these kinds of items - as well as pornography, cigarettes, fireworks, and legal highs.

At present they are only allowed to search for a narrow range of items including alcohol, weapons, drugs, and stolen items.

What other measures will be brought in?

Teachers will be given the right to impose same-day detentions on poorly-behaved pupils. The Government is to scrap the present process by which schools must give 24 hours' notice and write to parents first.

Why not bring back the cane?

A Department of Education spokesman said: "There is no intention of ever reintroducing corporal punishment." Telegraph