What is going to happen to deputy prime minister John Prescott, having hit a member of the public for showing aggressive behaviour? Will he be immediately suspended pending an inquiry? That’s what would happen to a teacher if they had responded in a violent manner against a similar sort of abusive behaviour in school.
No, of course not. He’s been provoked! Teacher are never given that sort of “flexibility” or support. Parent-power, pupil-power and governor-power means teachers must always take what’s given to them, and put themselves last ... after all we are professionals who unfailingly try to put children first, even in the most extreme circumstances.
Sally Howard
Cockshut Lane
Melbourne, Derbyshire
