Row over fate of pupil who took blade to Long Stratton High School in resolved

Staff at Long Stratton High School had considered industrial action after governors overturned the headteacher's decision to expel the pupil.

The EDP understands that the boy was found with what police described as a 'bladed article' in a hollowed-out book on the school's premises in November.

Headteacher John Wilson permanently excluded him, but the school's governors reversed this decision.

Police later handed him a youth conditional caution.

In December, staff at the school, supported by the NUT, NASUWT, ATL and Unison unions, wrote a letter to governors complaining about their decision.

It said: 'Our primary concern is how a team of governors with little teaching experience can overrule the entire senior leadership team of the school.'

Earlier this term, unions started a formal consultation with their members over possible industrial action over the boy remaining at the high school.

However, it has now emerged the dispute has been resolved, and the threat of action lifted, after the boy left the school, and moved to another.

In a statement, Long Stratton High School said: 'We are pleased that the issue has now been resolved. The whole school community has worked together to reach a resolution and the pupil is now being taught at another school.

'The safety and wellbeing of our pupils has always been our top priority and will continue to be so.

'Everyone wants to move on from the unfortunate situation which has taken place and focus on providing a positive learning environment for our pupils.'

Scott Lyons, joint division secretary for Norfolk NUT, said: 'I hope that governors in the future will take seriously teachers' and parents' views on knives in school.

'I think governors have got to communicate closely with teachers and get their opinions on something as non-negotiable as knives in school.'

Do you have an education story? Email education correspondent martin.george@archant.co.uk