Parents 'responsible for children's bad behaviour'

Teachers say that parents cannot "abandon responsibility" for their children's behaviour at school.

The NASUWT teachers' union says a lack of parental support is a major problem behind pupils' lack of discipline.

A survey from the union also claims that pupils turn up at school with iPods and phones, but without basic equipment such as pens.

"Teachers are not receiving the support they need from parents," said NASUWT leader, Chris Keates.

The teachers' union, meeting for its annual conference in Glasgow, has published the results of a survey of more than 8,000 members and found many teachers feel let down by the lack of support from parents over behaviour.

Parents can't simply abandon their responsibilities at the school gate”

More than two in three teachers identified a lack of back-up from parents as the most common underlying factor for pupils misbehaving.

"Parents can't simply abandon their responsibilities at the school gate," said union leader, Ms Keates.

"Teachers are not receiving the support they need from parents, school leaders or government to assist them in maintaining high standards of pupil behaviour."

More than half of teachers in the survey also complained that too many parents were failing to send their children to school with the right equipment.

"Too many pupils arrive at school with mobile phones, iPods and MP3 players when teachers just wish they would bring a pen," said Ms Keates.

Mobile phones and electronic gadgets were also identified as a cause of distraction and disruption in the classroom.

Teachers in the survey identified other causes of poor pupil behaviour, including a lack of support from their own senior management in schools.

The negative influences of television and media were also blamed by teachers.

The union's conference will debate a resolution about poor behaviour, warning that indiscipline "continues to blight our educational system".

Last month teachers at Darwen Vale High School in Lancashire went on strike over pupil behaviour, claiming they were not given support by senior staff when they confronted pupils.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "Teachers can't teach effectively and pupils can't learn if schools are unable to keep order in the classroom.

"New guidance makes clear what powers teachers have and will give them confidence that they can remove disruptive pupils and search children where necessary."