www.family-solicitors.co.uk considers if Labors’ proposals to give head teachers greater powers to eliminate violent and disruptive pupils permanently come into effect; solicitors will see an expansion in cases brought against schools.

The Government wants to scrap targets to cut the number of exclusions and legally force parents to make their children behave. Under the proposals in the forthcoming Education Bill, panels hearing appeals against exclusions will be able to consider the effect of a child's behavior on the school.

Principal of Family Solicitors, Adrian Miles:

“Disruptive pupils are a great problem in today’s schools, while teachers have their hands tied in what they can do to discipline them. Parents must take more responsibility for the conduct of their children, and this is one way to force them to do this. Therefore, this could be a very important development in family law.”

“Without doubt, parents of pupils excluded will be looking at legal advice in many cases… as will the schools. Solicitors must be ready for this caseload if the Government puts these plans into action.”