PUPILS FACE EXPULSION FOR CANNABIS DEALING

A headteacher has vowed to stamp out illegal drug use at his
Westcountry school after it emerged that two pupils were facing
expulsion for dealing cannabis.

Roy Pike, headteacher at Torquay Boys' Grammar School, made the claim
after confirming that two Year Nine pupils were facing being excluded
after allegations that they were dealing the drug on site.

In total, seven pupils aged 13 and 14 have been disciplined over the
issue of cannabis at the school.

One pupil was caught with cannabis earlier this month and
investigations led to the other six being disciplined.

All are in Year Nine at the 1,046-pupil school.

Mr Pike told the WMN: "It is our view that we want to keep the school
absolutely clear of any illegal substances.

"Periodically these incidents occur. Sadly it's part of our society
now. It's my job to deal with it and ensure, with parental agreement
and consultation, that we deal with it effectively so the school is
absolutely clear of drugs.

"I'm determined we shall keep the school clean in that sense."

Mr Pike confirmed that a meeting would be held today when governors
and staff would decide the boys' future.

He said he had brought the issue to the attention of
police.

All Year Nine pupils have been informed of the issue by staff, while
external groups have been called in to help and advise pupils.

Torbay Council, the local education authority, said it had been
informed of the situation.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation at Torquay Boys'
Grammar School and the school has advised us that they are dealing
with the issue.

"The council will always treat the matter of exclusions extremely
seriously and we offer appropriate guidance to headteachers governors
and parents in dealing with these sensitive matters which affect
individual pupils and the wider school community.

"The council works in close partnership with all schools to manage
pupils' behaviour in order to avoid exclusions wherever possible."

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman confirmed that one of the
parents of the excluded boys had contacted police in June for advice.
He said: "We were contacted by one Torquay parent whose 14-year-old
son had been excluded and who wanted our advice.

"We advised that under new laws the school is allowed to deal with
these issues internally."

The spokesman confirmed that under the National Schools Crime
Recording Policy, minor crimes can be dealt with internally by the
school without involving the police directly.

Pat Brown, a mother who has two boys at the grammar school, one of
them in Year Nine, and a daughter at Torquay Grammar School for Girls,
said: "I think it is a good thing they have come up with a way of
dealing with it.

"I have only heard of it once before and that was a few years ago.

"If it is going to happen it is going to happen and I support the
school as well as my children."