<p><br /> Unruly pupils who seriously disrupt lessons and school activities or refuse to leave class should be controlled by force, new Government guidance for teachers suggests.<br /> </p><p><br /> It says schools do not need parents' consent to physically control and restrain youngsters who are seriously misbehaving.<br /> </p><p><br /> Guidance published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on Monday sets out for teachers when they can reasonably physically intervene to stop bad behaviour.<br /> </p><p><br /> It says teachers can act when pupils are fighting and could hurt each other; a pupil attacks a teacher or another student; if a pupil deliberately damages property; continually refuses to follow instructions to leave a class; or seriously disrupts a lesson or school activity - like sports day or a class trip.<br /> </p><p><br /> It also says teachers can restrain youngsters who are hurting, or at risk of hurting, someone by accident, or if a pupil absconds from class, or detention - if that would put the pupil in danger or disrupt classes.<br /> </p><p><br /> Childrens' Secretary Ed Balls published the guide at the NASUWT's annual conference in Birmingham. He said the idea that schools should have "no contact" policies with pupils was simply a myth.<br /> </p>
