[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14462102

Head teachers' leader, Brian Lightman, says there need to be some "hard questions" and "uncomfortable truths" for parents and families, after youngsters were caught up in an unprecedented night of violence and looting.

Although there were also adults taking part in the disturbances, it was often youngsters who were taking part in the waves of destruction that shifted swiftly across London and other cities.

Mr Lightman blames a toxic mixture of dysfunctional parenting and a consumer and celebrity culture which tells youngsters they should have whatever they want.

He warns that too often schools are faced with pupils who have never had any boundaries in their home lives - where there has never been a sense of right and wrong.

"Parents are not willing to say 'no'. That short, simple word is an important part of any child's upbringing," says Mr Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

"It's desperately important that children have a sense of right and wrong. But we often come across children who have never been told that something is wrong."

'Sense of direction'

Schools are often the only place where these youngsters have had boundaries put on their behaviour, says Mr Lightman.

"Schools are the last havens of an orderly society for many young people," he says.

The latest outbreak of violence also has "far-reaching implications for the curriculum", he says, with a need to emphasise a sense of responsibility, morality and a "sense of direction".

He also says that there need to be questions raised about the messages sent to young people by a consumerist culture which gives the impression that they can become "rich and famous without doing any work".

"The majority of young people have a very clear sense of right and wrong," he says. But if there is no sense of this passed on to young people - "you only have to read Lord of the Flies".

Of course, he's right .....

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14927898

Nearly half of parents of secondary school children say corporal punishment such as the cane or slipper should be reintroduced, a survey suggests.

In total, 49% of more than 2,000 parents surveyed for the Times Educational Supplement were in favour, compared with 45% who were opposed.

Nearly all surveyed thought teachers should be able to be tougher on pupils.

"Give 'em a demmed good thrashing, that's what I say - never did me any harm"

Mr Angry, Devizes