Exactly. Pupil says no - what next?

Plus, jamming the phone doesn't stop the child videoing something embarrassing and posting it on YT later in the day. It's pretty much unenforceable.

And a lot tastier than BT!

Well, think back, what used to happen when you were at school?

A swift smack, which could escalate to the cane if required. I believe this approach is not allowed anymore.

But detentions are still allowed.

they might work for a conscentious pupil but not for far too many of the "angels"

Yes it is hardly a threat to many. I was in detention loads of times, but then both my parents worked so no chance of getting caught coming home late.

“Cyber-bullying is the curse of many of our schools. Facebook, YouTube and the stuff that sometimes appears on mobile phones are real issues now in many schools,” said Sir Michael Wilshaw, executive principal at the Mossbourne Community Academy, in a parliamentary committee debate about the bill.

“I would have no hesitation in erasing from a mobile phone something that was deeply offensive to other students. That is very pernicious — it is worse than the fight in the playground.”

Teachers that supported the extended powers also said that data on a phone should be no more protected than existing communications, which are routinely examined.

“I would have no problem in erasing stuff from a mobile phone,” said Sally Coates, principal at Burlington Danes Academy.

Both my children have finished their education now but.... I would have no problem sueing the asses off these two self inflated prigs had they done so to my children. Who the hell do they think they are ?????

So you would instead support bullying by backing their behaviour by taking a teacher to court who is trying to prevent it?

That's the equivalent of saying you'd sue a teacher who stopped your kid beating the crap out of another.

Don't schools have contracts that parents sign saying that they support the schools in their disciplinary measures?

Bullying in any form whether by any method should be stamped on. It can have irreparable effects on the victims. What should happen is that the phones are taken and checked and rather than deleting the messages the police and parents brought in. If the kids are prosecuted then it will rapidly stop cyber bullying.

No what should happen is that Teachers should not have greater powers than the police. if they believe that there is evidence of a crime then they should contact the poice and ensure that the correct procedures are taken.

I agree. What ever direction is taken it should be done correctly. That way the parents can be informed. Though considering the contract that parents have to sign to get their "little angels" into the schools it might not be too hard to add a search and prosecution clause and get them to sign at the start of the academic year.