School discipline

Bad behaviour among Britain's school pupils is being addressed by the Conservatives today.

Tory plans to tackle the problem are laid out in a policy document, Giving Power Back to Teachers.

Its main proposals include boosting headteachers' exclusion powers, giving teachers more power in dealing with violent incidents and protecting them through new pay measures to "reward staff who deal effectively with violence and disruption".

Schools which expel pupils would no longer be subject to a financial penalty while new rules "forcing good schools to take pupils from bad ones" would be abolished under a Conservative government.

Last year powers allowing teachers to physically restrain misbehaving pupils through "reasonable force" came into force, following the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

Alan Johnson, education secretary at the time, said the move would help teachers crack down on the 'am I bovvered' culture, but today's document presses for a complete end to the "no touch" policy.

politics.co.uk brings you all the key quotes and comment throughout the day.