"More resources needed" says Paulette North of the NUT

They welcomed as a U-turn the government's recent decision to give heads greater authority to expel bullies or pupils who carry weapons.

Paulette North, the assistant divisional secretary for the National Union of Teachers in Bristol, says teachers are opposed to the new proposals.

"Nationally, you have schools being given more powers to exclude pupils but here the proposal is to go for nil exclusions," she said.

"We are concerned about the effect on teachers in the classroom.

"There are a lot of pressures on schools from these children."

The NUT in Bristol say they are sympathetic to the plight of the excluded children too, who they say come from the most disadvantaged areas and homes in the city.

What do children do once they are excluded?

They say the answer is to put more resources into schools to try to cut anti-social behaviour.

Paulette North said: "We need smaller classes and also extra training for teachers to help them manage disruptive children."

Previously, the government had set - and reached - a target to cut exclusions in England by a third.

Bristol Council is emphasising that the committee's recommendations have not yet been adopted.

Before the proposal could become policy, it would have to go through several stages before being put to the full council for approval.

A council spokeswoman said: "Also it is important to stress that headteachers and governors have a legal right to determine whether permanent exclusions can be confirmed.

"There is no suggestion that, if this policy is adopted, this right would be revoked."