Schools 'must unite on bad behaviour'

Popular schools cannot shirk their responsibility for dealing with problem pupils, the Government warned today. Successful secondaries must work with "sink schools" in tackling the discipline problem, said Schools Minister Stephen Twigg.

He told the annual conference of teachers' union, the NASUWT, the Government backed heads who take a zero tolerance approach to bad behaviour.

Mr Twigg said a new guide will spell out how schools should pool cash to buy in help from charities to deal with the most out-of-control children. He added: "Our prospectus will help all areas reach the standard of the best."

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has withdrawn a threat to force all schools, including grammars, to take their "fair share" of badlybehaved pupils. But she has warned that if schools do not work together on the problem voluntarily, she would make it obligatory.

Ms Kelly will attempt to placate critics of the Government's schools policies in a speech to the Fabian Society today. She will say there is no contradiction between allowing state schools to opt out of local authority control and fostering collaboration.