Crackdown on school bullies

Classroom thugs found carrying offensive weapons in schools should be expelled immediately, with no prospect of the expulsion being overturning on appeal, ministers are to make clear in new guidance.

The Government is acting to close a loophole in discipline regulations, driven in part by concern that the fear of school violence is a major deterrent to recruiting teachers.

Studies have shown that eight out of 10 teachers believe discipline has got worse and the fear of violence from pupils is a principal reason for young teachers leaving the profession.

Powers to deal with bullies will also be strengthened to prevent schools being vulnerable to legal action by the victims.

Guidance already makes it clear that pupils guilty of sexual misconduct and serious violence towards teachers should be permanently excluded on a first offence.

New regulations to be published later this year will add "carrying an offensive weapon in school" and "persistent and defiant bullying".

Ministers will also make it clear to independent appeals panels that they do not expect to see such exclusions overturned, with children sent back to cause further mayhem in the same school.

The new guidance will be added to measures already proposed to give schools more disciplinary teeth.