According to a survey earlier this year by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) nearly a quarter of school and college staff have endured physical violence from a student, and just under 40 per cent have been confronted by an aggressive parent or guardian. Whilst there are many schools that don’t suffer these problems, teachers in schools that do appear powerless in the face of ongoing classroom challenges, pushing some to breaking point. So do teachers need more powers to discipline children? Does management of discipline in schools need to be more consistent? Or do parents need to take more responsibility for the behaviour of their children in school? Jane is joined by Danny Coyle, Deputy Head of Aloyish College, London, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the NUT, and journalist, Allison Pearson.
