Teachers Told To 'Get Tough' On Bad Behaviour

Misbehaving pupils face a return to the days of writing out lines hundreds of times or being told to pick up litter under a major overhaul of school discipline.

Education Secretary Michael Gove says he wants a return to traditional classroom discipline and is urging teachers not be afraid of "getting tough" on bad behaviour in schools.

He will set out a list of new guidelines for teachers, to be issued this week, that will say "tough but proportionate" punishments such as writing lines "are just as crucial to an effective education as praising and rewarding good behaviour".

The "community service" sanctions could include picking up litter in the playgrounds, weeding, mopping dirty floors and removing graffiti.

Pupils could also be ordered to report to school early, attend weekend detentions, or forfeit privileges such as joining in a non-uniform day.

Mr Gove, who has been critical of "trendy" teaching methods, told The Mail on Sunday: "Writing lines is tedious, monotonous, boring - and a perfect punishment for bad behaviour. Children need to learn the importance of strong discipline and to understand that misbehaving at school has consequences."

Mr Gove blames Labour for 'decline in education standards'

"We are making crystal clear to teachers that telling children to write lines is an entirely appropriate punishment.

"These new guidelines will give teachers the confidence to be tougher on bad behaviour and ensure every child has the chance to learn in a controlled, orderly environment."

Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig said: "Mr Gove has blamed Labour for a decline in standards and says the party left office with '600 pages of confusing, dense, contradictory guidance for teachers on how to manage behaviour'.

"He calls it 'mind-numbing waffle' and says the new Tory guidance will be a handy 50 pages."

He added: "Labour have already hit back. Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt has said Cameron and Gove have dropped the ball on discipline, and their decision to allow unqualified teachers into the classroom on a permanent basis means we have teachers who lack the training required to keep order."

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Baby Boy's Death: Mother Arrested In Oldham

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

Police are questioning a mother on suspicion of murdering her seven-week-old baby in Oldham.

The 23-year-old mother's partner, a man aged 35, and the couple's lodger, a 26-year-old man, have also been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The baby, named locally as Thomas Gacek, was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital with serious head injuries last Saturday.

Hospital staff contacted police and the child's mother and her partner were originally arrested on suspicion of assault.

Following the baby's death and the results of a postmortem examination they were re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

The baby was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital

Along with their lodger they are also being questioned on suspicion of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

All three remain in police custody.

Police say one line of inquiry they are examining is whether he was shaken to death.

Detectives are searching the house where the child lived in the Clarksfield area of Oldham.

The couple's next door neighbour, who did not want to be named, told Sky News she was "shocked" to hear the news.

She said she understood the couple had only moved into the house in November and said they had put up balloons and banners when the baby was born.

The infant died at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

Inquiries are ongoing to trace the child's father.

Detective Inspector Andy Cunliffe from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: "This is a tragic case in which a very young baby has lost his life.

"We are determined to find out exactly what the circumstances were that led to him suffering such injuries.

"News of the death of such a little boy will no doubt come as a great shock to people.

"And I would like to try to reassure the community as much as I can that we have a team of detectives dedicated to working on this investigation, and they will today be interviewing the three people in our custody.

"If anyone has any information at all that they believe may assist us with our enquiries, then please get in touch and tell us what you know."

Anyone with information is asked to contact GMP's Major Incident Team on 0161 856 1722 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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