Parents accuse school over its pupil discipline

PARENTS of students at a secondary school have hit out at what they feel is excessive discipline, with some reporting that students have been put into isolation for acts as minor as looking out the window or dropping a pen.

- CHRIS MATTHEWS

One parent even accused Launceston College of wanting soldiers instead of children. A number of parents have accused the school of over-discipline’ and depriving children of human rights.

Pupils at Launceston College are reportedly being punished for minor infringements, such as looking out of the window or having incorrect equipment. A Facebook group has been set-up protesting strict new behavioural policies introduced by the CEO of Athena Learning Trust, Ben Parnell.

One parent, Kayleigh Paine, said: The school’s new CEO has changed everything all the rules. One day my daughter forgot her PE kit and was sent to triage isolation) and missed two lessons and lunch. By the time she had finished the lunch queue was too long and she went without food. It’s not humane.