Children have got the power - and they know it

If they ordered a pupil to sit down, or be silent, they were obeyed without question.

The contrast with the power dynamic in classrooms today couldn't be bigger, and was illustrated in last summer's Channel 4 series That'll Teach 'Em.

The programme aimed to see how today's teenagers would cope without their mobiles, chewing gum and nights out. Instead, screaming teachers instructed country dancing, sewing and how to gut a fish as part of life in a 1960s comprehensive school.

Pupil Aliss Hadley, of St John's, Worcester, was one of those to take part in the show. She left two weeks early because she found life too tough.

"It was harder than I thought it would be," she said at the time.

"The teachers were really strict and shouted a lot. I ended up in tears one of the teachers made me cut up a fish in cooking class. I'm a vegetarian, but she stood over me and made me do it.

"Nowadays we can get away with more at school."

Her behaviour gives credence to Mr Kelly's views about how far power in the classroom has slipped from teachers, and into the hands of youngsters. It has worrying implications.

Susan Crane, a former teaching assistant, said teachers were almost powerless to stop children behaving badly.

"I worked in a primary school and even at that young age, children knew what their rights were," she said.

"The teachers were good people and yet they did not get the respect they deserved. People have said to me that teachers should earn their respect, but they shouldn't have to.

"I think parents have a lot to do with the problem - they are less strict today. If I had talked to some of my teachers, the way I have heard children today speak, I would have had a slap at school and another one when I got home.

"Now the children are in the position of power, and they know it."

Brian Oakley, an executive member of the National Association for Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), agreed that the present situation favoured pupils.

He also placed the emphasis on parents and pupils to find a middle ground - although he said that would not be easy.

"If I had the answer, I would be a millionaire by now," he said.

"All teachers would like zero tolerance, but it is not going to happen. And, as it stands at the moment, occasionally we do have to take action to defend our members as the rules are in favour of students.

"A lot of media attention has been placed on teachers finding a solution, but I think it is up to the parents and pupils to learn their responsibilities too.

"I don't think we should go back to the days of caning, but more discipline is definitely needed."

Gerry Hughes, headteacher at Chawson Primary School in Droitwich, admitted disciplining was harder today, but also said the safety of pupils should be paramount.

"As a headteacher, it is very difficult as we have to please all parties," he said.

"I know some teachers think the system is wrong, and that it is too much on the side of pupils, but as a head teacher, I think have to try to balance it.

"It is difficult for people like Mr Kelly, as teachers do occasionally have to walk a very fine line, but they have a responsibility to keep all pupils safe."

In the next fortnight, Mr Kelly is planning to launch his new website - www.school-discipline.co.uk.

Teachers and parents can log onto the site to read some of his experiences in education, make comments and post their own views.

"Parents just do not know what is going on in classrooms," he told the Evening News.

"It's as though there is zero discipline, not zero tolerance."

He criticised Education Secretary Ruth Kelly's calls for a crackdown on disruptive pupils, claiming it would require a "momentous" change in the way schools are run.

But Councillor Andy Roberts, cabinet member for education at Worcestershire County Council, said it was up to schools to set their own rules.

"I'd ask people to take a balanced view of any criticism of discipline in schools," he said.

"I'm not saying that Mr Kelly's experiences were not as he claimed, simply that the vast majority of young people I come across in youth services and as a chairman of governors are good, well-balanced, polite and civil people.

"It's also worth noting that if young people can't be just a little bit noisy and boisterous then we have come to a poor place.

"Discipline is a matter for individual schools and teachers, rather than something Ruth Kelly could enforce from Westminster.

"I would rely on the expertise of teachers to appreciate that every child and situation is different."

We would like to hear parents' and students' views. Contact our newsdesk by calling 01905 742244 or write to our letters page at: letters@thisisworcester.co.uk or Letters' Page, Worcester Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.