A HEADMASTER under fire from GCSE students has defended his decision to cut pupils' study leave, saying tough leadership is needed at the school.

Most of the Year 11 pupils at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon, signed the petition against his decision to cancel the three-week study leave, replacing it with compulsory lessons.

It was presented to headmaster James Colquhoun with nearly 200 names on it.

Courtney Wicheard, 16, who took 10 and a half GCSEs, said: "Mr Colquhoun came to the school in January this year.

"Last September we were told the exact dates of when the study leave would be.

"Then a month after he arrived we were told we would not get any study leave. We had no time to revise."

Lessons continued until May 27, which was the day before most pupils' first exam English literature. Pupils had expected to be on study leave from May 14.

The 16-year-old, who needs to get at least three C grades to go to Trowbridge College next year, said: "The lessons were terrible. They didn't do any good at all.

"Now I don't think that my results are going to be as good as I had hoped."

Miss Wicheard organised the petition together with Year 11 students Adele Rogers, Kylie Dell, Stacey Grant, Jay Palmer and Elizabeth Bunting.

Mr Colquhoun said: "Research and experience has proved how difficult it is for 15 and 16-year-olds to engage in a protracted period of home-based revision.

"The decision to reduce the amount of study leave was based on this realisation and an understanding that teachers are now able to carry on teaching since exams here are invigilated by support staff these days."

He said: "There is such a thing as tough love.

"You are not doing the young any favours by allowing a please yourself attitude."

He previously headed a school in Newcastle upon Tyne and said: "People assumed I was just some Geordie who was only used to working in tough schools.

"We have got a number of long-standing staff and some complacency here. People are in a comfort zone.

"We have got a good school that has lost its way a bit.

"Academic standards should be higher. Behaviour is not good enough.

"The pupils saw this as 'Who the hell does this new head think he is?'."

But Mr Colquhoun believes it was in their best interest to keep them at school.

He said he also believes people are beginning to understand his approach to leadership at the school.

Miss Wicheard's mum, Pat, who runs Chop and Change hairdressers in Huntingdon Street, said she does not agree with her daughter's petition.

And gran Enid Wicheard, of Budbury Tynings, Bradford, said: "I think the headmaster we have got up there at the moment is doing a wonderful job and the fact he has altered a lot of things up at the school is good.

"I actually don't agree with what Courtney has done."

As well as cancelling the former three-week study leave Mr Colquhoun has implemented a number of other changes since he took over as headmaster in January.

He is in favour of a strict school uniform, and has banned shorts.

He has also reduced the 55-minute lunch break, in an effort to combat bad behaviour.

In September about 20 new teachers will be joining the staff at the school.