Up in arms

Pupils marched out of lessons and staged a noisy protest around the school grounds in St Paul's Drive, Dorcan.

The protesters, aged between 12 and 15, were calling for a better system of dealing with complaints against teachers in Swindon's schools.

Last year, 200 pupils at Dorcan boycotted lessons to protest against a new uniform.

Yesterday's trouble started at around 10am, after registration period, where, ironically, students had been discussing good behaviour.

Pupils boycotted lessons and gathered outside the main entrance, where they chanted slogans.

During morning break, just before 11am, more supporters joined in.

There were chaotic scenes, with children shouting and climbing onto each others' shoulders, ignoring pleas from exasperated teachers, who struggled to maintain order.

Some students were sitting GCSE exams at the school at the time, but they were not affected by the noise.

The protesters then marched out of the school grounds onto a cycle path, where they sang We Shall Not Be Moved.

As teachers approached the group, they ran off towards Dorcan Way.

They eventually returned and teachers managed to talk them into going back to classes at around 11.30am.

The protest appears to have been sparked by a mother who spoke to a couple of Dorcan pupils as they walked to school.

A 14-year-old pupil, who helped organise the protest, said: "The woman said protests were being held at Goddard Park and Churchfields and that taxi drivers were joining in the demo by driving in bus lanes."

A 14-year-old student said: "We went outside the school premises so we didn't disrupt lessons."

Another 14-year-old said: "This is the only way we can get heard."

None of the pupils knew the name of the woman.

Mike Welsh, headteacher at Goddard Park Primary School in Welcombe Avenue, Park North, said: "We didn't have any protests at all."

Steve Flavin, headteacher at Churchfields School in Salcombe Grove, Swindon, said: "We had no such protest at Churchfields, we had a normal productive day."

Staff at taxi firms Swindon Black Cab Company and Radio Taxis had not heard about the protests, and were unaware of any drivers taking action.

Headteacher of Dorcan Technology College, Dr Scott Sissons, said that teachers were considering what disciplinary action to take.

He said: "The protest caused a small amount of disruption to the school, but caused a major disruption to the education of the pupils involved in it.

"I am meeting with heads of year to discuss what action to take.

"All students involved will face some kind of action.

"We might have to exclude the ringleaders."

Dorcan has 1,300 pupils aged between 11 and 16.

Helen Barnes, spokeswoman for Swindon Council, said: "All schools have an annual report, which includes details of complaints procedures, and this is sent to every parent.

"Schools vary in how they deal with complaints, but all schools comply with Local Education Authority guidelines, and we are satisfied with the procedures we have in place."

Cledwyn David, assistant director for school improvement at SBC, said: "The Local Education Authority discourages any unauthorised activities and absences from lessons.

"There are proper procedures that pupils and parents should always use either with the school or the LEA.

"It is an irresponsible act to walk out of school, and anyone encourag-ing such activity is putting the health and safety of pupils at risk."