TOP SCHOOL EXPELS DRUGDEAL PUPILS

A LEADING public school has expelled four pupils, including two
13yearolds, after they were found dealing in drugs and stealing goods in
order to pay for them.

The Perse School for Boys in Cambridge, where many university academics
send their sons, is the latest independent school to be embarrassed by
drugtaking.

Some schools, including Rugby and Gordonstoun, have already introduced
drugtesting. The £5,250ayear Perse school is now considering introducing
tests.

Cambridgeshire police said inquiries were continuing and no action had yet
been taken against the former pupils. One of the 13yearolds and two boys
aged 15 were expelled last week after an investigation revealed they were
involved in selling cannabis to fellow pupils. Another 13yearold has been
forced to leave because he stole to pay for drugs. The two fifthformers
admitted a link with a drug supplier in Cambridge, and one of the
thirdformers collected money from classmates and distributed drugs.

An internal inquiry also revealed that another thirdformer was "running a
business" paying for his purchases by stealing CDs and selling them to
fellow pupils.

At least 12 thirdformers were attempting to buy as much as £30 worth of
drugs. Parents have been told to keep a check on their children's spending.

The disclosures follow antidrug guidelines from the Headmasters'
Conference, which represents leading public schools. Advice was to get
tough with drugdealers and be "more flexible" with those who only took
drugs.

In a letter to parents, Nigel Richardson, the headmaster, admitted pupils
had pressured each other to cover up the dealing. "In one or two instances
the pressure has been well beyond what is acceptable," he said.

The school, which was set up in 1615 and has the critic F R Leavis and Sir
Peter Hall among its alumni, may set up a confidential pupils' helpline.