What can bring about improved discipline in our schools?

1. Head teachers will be able to request 'behaviour bonds' (i.e. deposits) from parents. They will be able to deduct fines from these funds. Without naming pupils or parents, they will publicise the fines they have made and the broad reasons. Schools will not benefit financially from any fines. Fines will be collected nationally and could possibly be used to provide a rate of return on all other deposits. Parents with low incomes will have part of their deposits paid by a state grant.

2. Frequent truants will be electronically tagged. The police will be alerted if they leave school during the school day.

3. It should be illegal for school-age students to possess tobacco products or for adults to supply them.

4. As needed, schools should use CCTV, alarm buttons and walkie-talkies in a concerted effort to maintain order. For their own protection and to report disorder, teachers should have unlimited power to make video or audio recordings in classrooms.

5. Schools should have the right to impose detention before or after school or at weekends. A 'national curriculum' of additional school work should be created especially for use in detention sessions.

6. Schools should be able to seek anti-social behaviour orders and these will apply on school premises.

7. Bouncers for schools. Trained security staff will use limited physical contact to prevent high levels of disorder. They will not strike pupils* but will be allowed to hold, lift, carry and restrain pupils.  As needed they will break up fights, remove disorderly pupils from classrooms and, on the direction of teachers, will hold pupils in their seats, place them in sin-bin rooms or stand them against walls.

* Security staff will have the right to self defence when threatened with weapons or serious assault.