Grammar head is firm on drug ban (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Grammar head is firm on drug ban

2:28am Friday 16th May 2008 in

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A head teacher is standing firm on her decision to exclude a girl for possession of cannabis - despite a successful appeal against the action by the teenager's parents.

The 16-year-old sixth former, who has not been named, was excluded by Ilkley Grammar School at the beginning of the year after being found in possession of a small amount of the drug while on school premises.

However, that decision was subsequently overturned by an independent appeal panel sitting at Bradford's City Hall last month.

Head teacher Gillian James said she had been left "extremely disappointed" by the panel's decision but was determined to continue the school's hardline stance against drugs.

She said: "I am very concerned that such a wrong message can undermine both our high standards and our discipline. I want to reassure parents that schools are no place for drugs and that we will remain vigilant in protecting all students at Ilkley Grammar School.

"The sixth former was not a victim. She admitted possession and had committed a criminal offence. The recent reclassification of cannabis as a Class B drug only serves to confirm the seriousness of the issue."

Mrs James said she was confident that the school's policy on illegal drugs remained clear. She said: "I take seriously our responsibility to students - to protect them and to support them in making the right choices.

"Although the panel upheld the parents' appeal, it did not order the reinstatement of the girl. I was extremely disappointed with the panel's decision since it suggested that possession of drugs in school was acceptable."

The issue has prompted letters from parents supporting Mrs James's actions. A school spokesman said: "Mrs James has been heartened by the community's response to the independent appeal panel decision to overturn her own and the Governors' recent permanent exclusion of a sixth former for cannabis possession on school premises."

Ilkley Councillor Martin Smith is a governor at the school and is responsible for Bradford Council's safer communities portfolio which includes control of anti-drugs policy.

He said: "I am absolutely behind Mrs James and the governors support her. We were more than surprised at the appeal decision bearing in mind the policy we have in upper schools of zero tolerance."

The school's stance has also been supported by Ilkley magistrate Roger Davy who vigorously campaigned for the reclassification of cannabis to Class B. He said: I think there should be a zero tolerance policy. Unless somebody takes a stand, the problem is not going to go away."

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