HEADTEACHERS in Worcestershire are being encouraged to put up posters warning parents they could be prosecuted if they threaten or abuse teachers.

The posters were unveiled today by Education Minister Stephen Twigg and will be made available to primary and secondary schools across the county.

It will be down to individual headteachers to decide whether the school uses them - but the Government said they could be a powerful tool in the campaign against violent parents.

The move follows growing concern among heads' and teachers' unions about the number of cases of violence and verbal abuse suffered by staff in schools.

During the union conference season in the spring, teachers related horrifying stories of how they had been verbally and even physically assaulted by angry parents.

Ministers are keen to be seen to be supporting headteachers to tackle the problem of indiscipline in schools, especially after a number of appeals panels overruled heads' decisions to exclude violent and abusive pupils.

"It's about sending an absolutely clear message to parents that the Government supports headteachers in making tough decisions," a Government spokesman said.

"There is absolutely no excuse for parents to threaten the safety of teachers or support staff - parents should be supporting rather than undermining them.

Strong support

"This is another tool for head teachers to take this issue on and they have our strong support," said Mr Twigg.

The Government said the scheme had been widely supported among those headteachers who were consulted on the idea.

This afternoon, Prime Minister Tony Blair and Education Secretary Estelle Morris were due to meet with a group of headteachers at Downing Street to discuss the issue of behaviour.