However, in the report on tackling disruptive behaviour, the education watchdog stressed that there was a lack of hard evidence to back up the perception of a problem with gang culture.

Ofsted also said the main problem with badly behaved pupils is with low-level disruption rather than serious violence.

It called for better quality teaching and a curriculum that engages them, after visiting 78 institutions to gather evidence.

Have you experienced any form of gang culture in your school? What do you think of Ofsted's findings? Do you think gang culture is widespread in schools?

This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Stefan Morris, England: Is your child's education suffering because of school gang culture? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

There's not enough for them to do. If cinemas, leisure and sports facilities were made much cheaper for under eighteens (or even better free), it would give them something to do and would get them off the street.
Alex, Aylesbury, UK

Really, so this is new is it? I can remember the gang cultures in the schools I went to in Britain way back in the 50s and 60s and people were talking about it then
Tony, Welling Kent

Isn't it time we had a complete rethink about school size? Most young people in secondary schools have no chance at all of making meaningful relationships with the whole school community. The buildings in which they spend their time are full of people who don't know their names and whose names they don't know. We spend masses of time and money finding ways to make gigantic schools work properly. Meanwhile we are all paying a huge price. Why not start looking at small schools, at the heart of their communities, where teachers and pupils can get to know each other - and start to care about each other's lives?
Frances Child, Birmingham West Midlands

I am currently a pupil at secondary school and as such have first-hand experience of this gang-culture which has developed. Many people, myself included, feel intimidated when a 'gang' is together, although the people are nice as individuals. I believe that the culture has brutalized the school society and I even think it may have a negative effect on grades at GCSE. It is true that there is little serious violence going on, but the gangs certainly exist and are certainly not good. Quite frankly, I do not believe that better quality teaching will ease the problem. If the students actively do not wish to be taught then any positive efforts made in their direction will be fruitless. Instead, more discipline needs to be used (in conjunction with a bigger incentive to do well).
Chris Jamieson, Shrewsbury, UK

If the government want to tackle the problem, they should provide young people with things to do. Most after-school, weekend and holiday activities are directed at children, leaving teens feeling bored and left-out.
Amy, London

The future of society lies with our young people. Whether you like it or not, they are going to make it quite clear what they think about society and they will shape the future of our country. At the moment, we live in a culture where everyone is subjected to the promotion of the 'do what you want, have what you want' philosophy, so it's not surprising the way some young people behave.
Kitty, Coventry, UK

I was a victim of this gang culture at school because of the music and clothes I wore. This problem is not down to schools but to parents who have no intelligence whatsoever when it comes to raising a child!
Danny, UK

We just had fun amongst ourselves and stuck up for each other when need be Gareth Wilson, Worksop

I left school about 4 years ago and was in a 'gang' the whole time I was there. We never had fights with anyone; never caused any trouble we just had fun amongst ourselves and stuck up for each other when need be. I am now 21 and still go out and have a good time with my 'gang' which includes going out into town and having a drink, still no fighting or trouble. All of these friends come from good backgrounds with good morals, always kicked back into line by our parents if ever we stepped out of line. The teachers had no effect on our behaviour, the worst they could dish out was a half hour detention after school, we were more scared of what our parents would do when they found out so the teachers haven't a chance with trouble causes if the parents themselves don't care.
Gareth Wilson, Worksop

These kids aren't just gang members, or teachers' pupils, or parents' offspring, they are the generation which will be responsible for us in our old age. They are our future. They are our kids. Stop blaming teachers, parents, and the press; we have the young generation we deserve. When I was young, if I misbehaved in the street a number of adults would have let me know - now we tut-tut, turn away and walk off fast hoping "they" will do something. Society has fallen apart because we don't like kids and won't share responsibility for them.
Diana, London UK

This is not just a problem in schools. Teenagers have nothing to do outside of school so naturally join together in groups to "hang out" together. I live on a large estate, the local youth club had its funding for a youth worker withdrawn so had to close. What was the council's action, they built a shelter like a bus shelter for the teenagers to use - right under a CCTV camera - how can the teenagers feel a part of society when this sort of thing happens to them. The estate has no facilities, no cinema or any other form of entertainment.
James , United Kingdom

The only difference between gangs of yesteryear and those of today are the weapons they use Karen Smith, London, UK

Yes it is a problem, but it is nothing new. Gangs have always existed both inside and outside school and no amount of money or outside help will change it. The only difference between gangs of yesteryear and those of today are the weapons they use. As with drugs and prostitution, you will never get rid of it but can try to control it.
Karen Smith, London, UK

The perception of a problem exists only because bad behaviour, violence and bullying in schools has received so much media attention in recent years. Unless I'm totally missing the point here, there have always been gangs in every school, in every year and probably in every classroom. The 'pack instinct' is a strong primordial social force and is probably never more so than during the years leading up to adulthood. The formation of gangs need not be an issue. It's more a case of how we deal with some of the problems they present.
Patrick V Staton, Guildford, UK

The increasing number of support staff in schools is a very positive thing Vince Smeaton, Hornchurch, London

I've worked in secondary schools across London for the last eight years. Though gang culture existed when I went to school and still now, certain policies introduced in this time have greatly helped. The increasing number of support staff in schools is a very positive thing; the more staff the greater the bullying detection rate. In primary education, where the changes have had more time to take effect, the results are more marked. Vast spending on educational psychologists is also to be applauded.
Vince Smeaton, Hornchurch, London

To all the cynics who claim they had gangs in the 50s and 60s - smoking behind the bike sheds is nothing in comparison to today's knife-wielding, drug-pushing, mobile-snatching and openly-violent yobs. Did you see teachers quitting the profession en masse back then because of it? I'm 23 and even I get worried by 15-year-old kids in the street. Give the power back to the teachers before it reaches the university system.
Phil, Colchester

How can our government be at all serious about tackling "gang culture" when its own political party structure (and that of the official opposition) is the epitome of the worst sort of gang?
Edwood, Worcestershire, UK

What, exactly, have teachers got to do with this? This is learned behaviour that develops WAY before a child reaches school age due to, in most cases, flawed parenting. It is too late for teachers to remedy such shortcomings - a teacher's contact time is insignificant compared to parental influence. Anyway, teachers are not given the authority nor the rights to instil discipline. Parents - take some responsibility for YOUR child for once and stop passing the buck. If you've failed as a parent, come clean and ask for help.
Clive Ball, Bristol

I think the focus on gangs is misleading. As a teacher working in London, the far bigger problem is disruptive behaviour by a significant minority who make it very difficult for teachers to do their jobs - a problem which is getting worse.
Anon, London, UK

The kids think they are basically untouchable and can behave with impunity Jerry, Basingstoke, UK

The systematic undermining of parents and teachers' authority and what they are allowed to do as punishment has caused this problem. The kids think they are basically untouchable and can behave with impunity. They are told that they can be expected to be treated the same as adults, but then behave like children. What do we expect?
Jerry, Basingstoke, UK

I hate to say it but the media has to take more responsibility. Promoting artists which blatantly rap about gang fights/shootings etc only leads to youngsters getting the impression that that sort of behaviour and attitude is acceptable, when clearly it is not. Parents also need to accept some responsibility for this also. I would suggest any responsible parent actually goes and listens to some of these albums to judge for themselves before letting their child buy it.
Anonymous

Gangs are as much part of school culture as school dinners and parents evening. I suspect the report is finding a problem that isn't there.
Steve Mitchell, Guiseley

How much of this gang culture is actually brought about by the schools themselves? A couple of years ago I had reason to visit my child's primary school head as I was concerned that her class were missing out on PE and IT lessons. One or two of the class were misbehaving in these lessons so the whole class were denied them as punishment. Apparently the reasoning behind this was so that 'peer pressure' from the rest of the class would force the individuals to conform. Is this the sort of message we ought to be giving to impressionable children when 'peer pressure' is the reason given by so many for giving into the gang or drink/drug culture that many teenagers find themselves involved in at secondary school?
J Hudson, Grimsby UK

Solution: Compulsory parenting classes for new parents, followed up with yearly reviews. Then, bring back school discipline (corporal punishment, etc). Only hard action will solve this issue.
James Murphy, Dorset, UK

Same in any authoritarian government is it not? The more control's you put on people the more rebellious their nature.
AJCG, St Albans

It helps if parents back the teachers when discipline is required Mark, Hertfordshire

How are teachers supposed to discipline students when political correctness and government policies have interfered so much that teachers are no longer respected. It also helps if parents back the teachers when discipline is required, instead of always siding with their child - not everyone's children are "little angels". Its all a matter of respect, for years now this has been declining in society.
Mark, Hertfordshire

We are reaping the whirlwind of the first generation of parents not to be disciplined themselves at school after the banning of the cane. As a society, we reap what we sow.
Jonathan S-G, Bath, UK

I find it simply incredulous that better quality teaching is seen as the answer to the gang culture. Yet again, implied criticism of teachers! Gangs have always existed at school and they will always be there. The 'low level' disruption referred to by Ofsted is, in my opinion, due to a lack of responsibility on the part of parents. These people need to take a good hard look at themselves before simply casting blame elsewhere.
Ian Jerram, Chesterfield, England

In my experience gang culture exists when there is nothing else for young people to believe in, or there is no love in their lives. Family values have been systematically broken down by the media and individuals poor moral values. Children need to know what is right and wrong, they need good clear values from their parents to live by, something lacking in this country today, just look at the state of football as an example. Today it's all too easy to walk away from commitment and difficult situations, no wonder kids end up on drugs and drink, and as a society we have let it happen, no one else to blame but ourselves.
Gary Holister, Woking England

There has always been a gang culture in schools, as I can testify from my education during the 1950s to 1962. Bullying was endemic and teachers did not want to know, implying it was not right to be a sneak. I think it has just come to the fore now that schools are making a concerted effort to tackle bullying. I hope they are successful and will stamp out the kind of misery some of us were subjected to by gangs of bullies in schools.
Pauline Fothergill, Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK

There are no consequences of wrong doing and the current trend will get worse Pete, Macclesfield, UK

Kids today are lacking respect for elders and have no discipline to speak of. Because of this there are no consequences of wrong doing and the current trend will get worse. A clip round there ear never did me any harm, if a teacher did that today they'd be crucified. And for what? I find the nannying of nowadays curious as all those proposing these ridiculous measures have presumably turned out just fine, without these rules and `discoveries` (safety goggles to play with conkers, I rest my case).
Pete, Macclesfield, UK

Gang culture is a problem everywhere, and not just in schools. Most of the vandalism and anti-social behaviour we see in our towns and cities, is a direct result of youths forming into large groups. When youths are on their own, they are usually too shy or afraid to do anything. It is only when gang culture and peer pressure take hold, that problems start.
Andy, Leeds, UK

This is exactly why I gave up teaching 20 years ago Tony, London

This is exactly why I gave up teaching 20 years ago - student disruption was blamed on poor teaching and ignored external pressures on teenagers. Now there are other reasons as well - youth culture as a market and disenfranchisement generally - there is no quick fix I think.
Tony, London

Before everyone gets too hysterical let's have a slice of perspective. The report says one fifth of schools, not all schools, and I don't remember too many headlines about gang violence in school. In fact the last tragic stabbing I remember being reported in a school was not gang related.
Rick Hough, Knutsford, Cheshire, UK

It's certainly common on the streets, so I see no reason why it won't be taken to school.
Chris, UK

I was the victim of gang culture back at school. But being in the unpopular minority, any reports I made of the bullying would be thrown back at me, as the rest of my class would always fabricate a false story in order to cover up for the bullies, and remain out of harms way themselves. Schools tend to listen to the majority in order to decide what really happened, so most of the time I was branded a liar by the school and suspended simply for defending myself in unprovoked fights. In the end I skipped a lot of lessons, and ended up doing worse in my exams than I should have. But still did far better than the aforementioned bullies who tend to now serve me whenever I go and get fast-food.
Ed, Ayrshire

From the experiences of my children at secondary school, I think that there does seem to be a culture of larger groups congregating. However, it does seem easier for boys to overcome the pressures from these gangs than girls. Neither my son, nor daughter smoke, do drugs, drink or steal. All of these seem to be things these gangs demand. My daughter gets picked on for her stance. My son is not, with the gangs almost showing drudging respect for his stand. Girls seem a lot more bitchy and capable of emotional and physical violence, particularly if there is a viscous ringleader. But this is behaviour that now seems condoned by society. Ofsted are wrong when they blame teaching. We, as parents, have the responsibility to ensure our children's behaviour. Sometimes, we don't. If we don't, teachers cannot (nor should not) replace it.
Steve Tymms, Welwyn, England

The problem is that teachers have no power over the kids anymore. They cannot discipline them in any meaningful or effective way. This has resulted in a lowering of the standard of teacher recruited, which in turn lowers the level of respect that the pupils have. Until this viscous circle is broken things will not improve.
Tony, Worcester

It's part of human nature to group together due to common identity, security, etc Harry, Broadstairs

What is patriotism, if not the ultimate gang culture? It's part of human nature to group together due to common identity, security, etc. Whatever schools or parents do, gangs will persist, as they always have done. If we're not careful, in a few generations time we will be an island nation full of wimps who are too scared to look at our own reflection! The same nation which produced the "Origin of Species" indeed.
Harry, Broadstairs

There were gangs in schools in the 60s when I was there, but the level of violence was kept to fist fights, no weapons. No drugs either, some smoked but that was all. In my view it's poor parenting that has caused the problems we now face and that is where the action and attention needs to be directed.
Terry, Epsom, Surrey, England

It's not gang culture that is the problem, its junk culture. The poor kids are indoctrinated with anti-culture via the media, making it cool to be uncultured, ignorant and immoral. This is liberal 'progress' for you. It has been a slow 'chipping away at the stone' attacking the pillars of our society leaving a nihilism that is coming back to haunt us.
J Karran, Liverpool

The reason pupils are badly behaved is that there is no deterrent/punishment Nigel, London

The reason pupils are badly behaved is that there is no deterrent/punishment. It's not just schools it's the whole society we live in now. When I was growing up you respected and feared teachers/police, but kids of today know that they can't be touched. We need to bring back old fashion values and the cane and kick out all these trendy ideas.
Nigel, London

As a secondary head teacher, I have witnessed an increase in 'gang culture' amongst boys, fuelled especially by the media images they see regularly. This culture is exacerbated by a lack of good parental role models and parents who take too little interest in their sons' lives. Ofsted's view that this can be 'cured' by 'better quality teaching' shows how little qualified these people are to comment on what is a sociological, rather than an educational issue. Schools cannot put right what parents have got wrong, I'm afraid.
Helen, Manchester

I experienced plenty of 'gang culture' when I was at school in the 70's. It's just that we didn't call it that in those days.
Alan, Blackpool, UK

Young people are not oblivious to the gangster-like behaviour of world leaders, caused by their lack of understanding of history and its repetitive lessons. We should not be surprised when they brutalize each other.
Greg Chambers, Dana Point, CA, USA

Greg Chambers, Dana Point, CA, USA: On the contrary, young people are oblivious to most things. If 80% of US teens can't name our Prime Minister how can they be influenced by his policies. I bet 99% of them can recognise a picture of Tupac Shakur though... draw your own conclusions. Personally I think Snoop Dogg has more to do with gang culture than George W.
Peter, Nottingham

I'm sure that one part (amongst others such as media influence and bad parenting) of the problem is that there is a lack of outlets for those who are not necessarily academically minded. I'd like to see extra resources for outdoor activity breaks which let inner city children try outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing and kayaking. In my experience this breaks down barriers between groups of children and helps them work together, forming friendships and removing prejudices.
Darren, Dudley, UK

The government must make it easier to kick out students who clearly don't want to be there Tom, Harrow, Middlesex

Gang culture begins because people are unhappy about being in school and groups occur who ruin others education. The government must make it easier to kick out students who clearly don't want to be there. Most of the people involved in gang culture are not academics and therefore promoting work based courses at a younger age may be a sensible way forward. This will free up school of the gang culture. I personally went to school in a quite "well to do" area, but gang culture was still a problem and did affect my education. I feel that gang culture exists and will continue to exist if schools are not able to punish pupil harder, I personally believe that bringing back punishments such as the cane is a good idea and will improve behaviour among students. I firmly believe that the government has a vital role to play in the development of new ideas and schemes for the non-academics.
Tom, Harrow, Middlesex

Although far too old for school these days, I think this problem is a reflection of the general levels of alienation among the youth of today. They have never been taught any kind of respect for authority, don't understand why society has rules and regulations, and often cannot tell right from wrong. They are influenced by a culture perpetuated by TV and music which portrays violence as "cool". Personally, the only thing I find amusing about most of today's youth is that white middle class kids from the commuter belt actually think that their lives are somehow related to urban ghettoes in New York or LA.
Andrew Kaveney, Bracknell Berkshire

Just because gangs exist, it does not mean they are all badly behaved Alan Glenister, Bushey, Herts

Wow what a mind boggling discovery by Ofsted - as far as I can recall we had gangs when I was at school in the 50s. Just because gangs exist, it does not mean they are all badly behaved. Better quality teaching, better quality teachers and discipline will not break gang culture - gangs - good or bad will always be part of our culture. Ofsted would be well advised to concentrate on the 3 Rs and basic educational standards - and that is for the teachers!
Alan Glenister, Bushey, Herts

Three years ago, when I was at school, a lot of the 'hard' kids were members of 'crews' or 'massives'. Many looked for fights, drank and did drugs too, among other crimes. Hardly my schools fault though, bad parenting is to blame.
David, UK, Essex