HEAD TEACHERS are to demand the right to expel violent and disruptive pupils permanently from their schools.

The Headteachers’ Association of Scotland (HAS) is to meet Peter Peacock, the education minister, to discuss the issue following a significant rise in the number of attacks on teachers.

Peacock has already softened his position on temporary exclusions, claiming that the emphasis should be shifted “from the right to attend school to the right to teach and learn without disruption”.

However, head teachers want the executive to go further and allow them to exclude pupils on a permanent basis — a power that exists south of the border.

Violent attacks on teachers have risen by almost 50% in the past year. More than 5,000 teachers are punched, kicked or verbally abused by pupils and parents every year.

Local authorities have paid out record levels of compensation to teachers who have been victims of attacks. One teacher, forced to give up work after falling down stairs while dealing with an unruly pupil, was awarded £225,000.

Mike Doig, president of HAS, wants his members to be granted the same rights as head teachers in England and Wales to exclude disruptive pupils permanently.

“We are seeing instances of violence against staff growing and (if) a member of staff has been subjected to violence or threats it is very difficult for that teacher to see the youngster reappearing after a temporary exclusion,” he said.

“The pendulum has swung far enough in favour of the individual and it is now time to favour the group that is suffering. We still lag behind English schools where they have the power of permanent exclusion and that is a matter we are keen to discuss with the minister.”

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