After an hour the majority of girls were back at their desks. But before anyone jumps to conclusions which may later prove to be wrong, let us look at the situation in a calm and rational way. The headmaster is responsible for the smooth running of the school. He is responsible for the children while they are in that school. He tells us that women teachers on his staff have approached him consistently about an unruly element among girl students and the difficulty in dealing with it.
Staff can hand out detention and, in more severe cases, pupils can be suspended.
But this would appear to be exactly what the unruly students want. If they are suspended they don't even need to play truant to have a little time off. Parents who have commented adversely on his decision would do well to contemplate their actions. We are quick to criticise when the schools turn out unruly students with little or no respect for others and with reading and writing abilities far below those demanded by today's employers. At Heaton Comprehensive School boys have received corporal punishment over the years without any furore.