New Powers for TA's

The Guardian is reporting on how new legal rights to restrain unruly pupils and confiscate disruptive mobile phones and music players are to be extended to all frontline staff including teaching assistants and playground supervisors.  The rights will not be available to staff such as cooks and caretakers.

The changes are designed to stop badly behaved pupils disrupting lessons and then claiming: "You can't do anything to me, Miss".  Jacqui Smith, the Schools Minister said:

"Our proposals will strengthen teachers' authority and give them the confidence to take firm action on all forms of bad behaviour. They will also send a strong message to parents and pupils that a culture of disruption and failure to take responsibility will not be tolerated. Our white paper proposals are about strengthening every school in every community, particularly in deprived areas and the discipline measures are a good example of this."

The moves were welcomed by the National Union of Teachers. Head of education John Bangs said:

"We are delighted that the Government has extended the legal right for a teacher to have the right to discipline.  We can see the argument for all support staff who have contact with children to have that right.  We are going to work very closely with the Government to make sure every teacher has the right to discipline and that there are no unforeseen consequences."