The warning came as a new anti-violence poster campaign - telling parents they may be prosecuted if they threaten or abuse teachers or support staff - was launched in schools in England.

If you threaten or assault anyone in the school... you will be removed from the premises and may be prosecuted

Warning poster for schools

The posters, similar to those found in hospitals and on public transport, were unveiled on Tuesday by junior education minister Stephen Twigg, who posted one up at his former school in Barnet, north London.

The posters say: "We welcome visitors to our school."

"We will act to ensure it remains a safe place for pupils, staff and other members of our community.

"If you threaten or assault anyone in the school, or persist in abusive behaviour, you will be removed from the premises and may be prosecuted."

Legal 'toolkit'

The posters will be made available to all schools - primary as well as secondary - in England, but it will be down to individual head teachers to decide whether the school uses them.

Schools will also receive a "toolkit" setting out the legal position on parental violence.

Mr Twigg put up a poster at his former school in Barnet

The government said the scheme had been widely supported among those head teachers who were consulted on the idea.

Mr Twigg said: "We want zero tolerance of violence, and that includes the small minority of cases where parents are responsible."

"We are sending out a very clear message today that it is completely unacceptable, it is condemned and that local authorities have the power to tackle this and we expect them to do so," he said.

When parents' attitude had caused a breakdown in home-school relations, there was a case "in extreme circumstances" for the children to be expelled, Mr Twigg said.

"I think it very much does depend on the circumstances of the case - if you have for example persistent behaviour by parents, I think that is something we should look at."

Horror stories

The move follows growing concern among heads' and teachers' unions about the number of cases of violence and verbal abuse suffered by staff in schools.

During the union conference season in the spring, teachers related harrowing stories of how they had be verbally and even physically assaulted by angry parents.

Mr Blair met with head teachers to discuss the problem of poor behaviour

The government is keen to be seen to be supporting head teachers to tackle the problem of indiscipline in schools, especially after a number of appeals panels overruled heads' decision to exclude violent and abusive pupils.

The poster initiative was welcomed by the National Association of Head Teachers.

"The government announcement sends a strong message which will be welcomed by our members and their staff," said general secretary David Hart.

But Eamonn O'Kane, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, was sceptical the idea would make a difference.

"Whilst any action by government to support schools in maintaining civilised standards of behaviour is welcome, sticking up posters advising parents of the consequences of violent conduct will not, necessarily, stop such parents in their tracks," he warned.

Summit at Number 10

On Tuesday afternoon Prime Minister Tony Blair and Education Secretary Estelle Morris met a group of head teachers at Downing Street to discuss further the issue of poor behaviour, particularly among pupils.

Veronique Gerber, head of Hurlingham and Chelsea school in London, said the group raised many issues.

Ms Gerber said some school took in more challenging pupils than others

"For example there should be more work done at primary level with students with behavioural difficulties," said Ms Gerber.

"We also spoke about the need for training for teachers in the management of student behaviour."

Ms Gerber said some non-selective schools were particularly disadvantaged because, under the current admissions system, they took more pupils with behavioural problems.

Mr Blair said there were "serious problems we have known about for a period of time".

"The thing that helps me most at sessions like this is hearing about whether there are practical things you think the government should be doing or should not be doing that will be of assistance on this."

Do you have any experiences related to this story? Send us your comments using the form below.

Here in Toronto we are dealing with the same issues. Teachers in inner city schools are taking their own legal action due to the school boards seeming more concerned with poor enrolment and job losses than the safety of teachers
Denise, Canada

My partner works in a secondary school in sleepy Ipswich. The daily tales she tells of abusive language and behaviour by pupils and parents is shocking. Instances are not rare, nor are they the exception. The level of discipline within our school system is shockingly low. The children know that the teachers cannot touch them, physically and metaphorically, and that the authorities will do little or nothing to curb their behaviour. Wake up Britain, these kids are our future.
Poster Child, UK

Isn't it obvious that the parents should be made responsible?

RJ, England

About time too. I heard on the news the story of one parent who punched a headmaster who had suspended her son for violent behaviour - and you wonder where they get it from?? Isn't it obvious that the parents should be made responsible for both their behaviour and that of their child?
RJ, England

Although I entirely agree that teachers shouldn't be threatened or intimidated by parents, I am concerned that there are not clearer guidelines to protect children themselves from other parents.
Cully Downer, UK

The education system in this country is a farce, but it has been a gradual erosion of the rights of teachers in favour of the rights of disruptive pupils. As usual, everyone forgets the victims - the kids who just want be good and learn. I worry about my children and I picked a school where the Head's priority was discipline, and I will support him if he has cause to discipline my children. It's a pity about the other parents who abdicate this responsibility, and then fail to support those who have to take on that responsibility.
A J Richards, Wales