A HEADTEACHER has cancelled Christmas festivities at her primary school in an attempt to curb the behaviour of unruly pupils.

Barbara Milne-Redhead, of Brennand's Endowed School in Slaidburn, told a stunned assembly that the annual Christmas play and lunch had been cancelled because of a breakdown in discipline.

The headteacher's decision, made after "a great deal of soul searching," is being supported by the chairman of governors. She also claims that parents, who have been sent letters about the matter, are also supporting her.

Mrs Milne-Redhead, who has been a teacher for 23 years and head at Brennand's Endowed for seven, said she and her staff were fed up of youngsters being rude, answering back and using bad language.

She said: "I have warned the children about their behaviour before, but have never carried out my threats.

"There are limits on the sanctions you can take against children these days and making them write lines just doesn't work anymore. Discipline is breaking down everywhere and someone has to be prepared to take a stand." Brennand's Endowed School has 51 pupils and serves the villages of the rural Hodder Valley.

Mrs Milne-Redhead said her decision to cancel the Christmas play and lunch had not been taken lightly.

"I had to do something drastic. I feel I have made the right decision, although I am very sad about it. If this was to have had any impact it had to be done properly. The children know they have reached the end of the line now," she said.

"Children are taught to question things and I value that, but not at the expense of ground rules regarding behaviour. I have been teaching for 23 years and have seen a steady erosion of discipline. I have never had to do anything like this before, but if the youngsters are unruly now, what will they be like when they are teenagers?"

Slaidburn rector and chairman of governors Mark Russell-Smith, whose two children attend the school, said the headteacher had his wholehearted support.

He said: "This situation has been building up over a period of time and as the chairman of governors and a parent I support her attempts to restore discipline in a small percentage of pupils in whatever way she deems necessary."

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