ATL

Scotland

Keith Robson on the Scottish Conservatives' proposals for second-chance centres for disruptive pupils

At their recent education conference, the Scottish Conservatives proposed the piloting of 'second-chance centres', where disruptive pupils would be removed from mainstream education "until they can show that they can behave properly". The centres, modelled on other schemes in Leeds, Europe and the US, would be placed off-site and would "involve specially trained staff in dedicated centres to tackle the issues surrounding disruptive pupils".

It is not hard to envisage a scenario where these centres could prove popular with teachers when they consider their voting intentions at the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections; (the Conservatives' UK general election manifesto may refer to pupil referral units giving pupils a second chance). ATL is not aligned to any political party and will question each party's proposals in a fair and balanced manner.

It is in this spirit that we would seek clarification as to: how the pupils will be selected for placement in a second-chance centre; how these new units are to be funded; and how pupils would be able to demonstrate that they can 'behave properly'.

We would also seek to clarify the possible "role of retired policemen to assist with the staffing of centres". Is this a return to the ethos of a short sharp shock or a sensible use of skills and experience from the front line?