One of the boys expelled from a school in Surrey for making death threats against a teacher has agreed not to return to classes there.

Two 15-year-old boys were told to leave Glyn Technology School in Epsom for unacceptable behaviour.

But an independent appeals panel subsequently overturned the school's decision, saying there were errors in the expulsion procedure, that the threats had not been serious, and that it was important that the boys' education continue.

The teenagers - who are both preparing for their GCSEs - have not yet returned to mainstream schooling and are currently receiving private tuition at home.

Although one of the families has agreed their son will not return to Glyn Technology School, Surrey County Council has not yet reached a decision about the other boy.

The matter prompted the Education Secretary, Estelle Morris, to intervene last week, saying teachers could not be expected to teach such pupils.

Ms Morris's intervention - for which she had no legal power - further stoked the row.

Teachers' anger

Teachers have refused to teach either boy if they were to come back.

Members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers have already voted for action if either returns.

A ballot for members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women is due to close on Monday 21 October.

The boys had been expelled for making a series of abusive phone calls, including death threats, to a teacher who had disciplined them for throwing stones at a window.

Support staff

And support staff at the school have voted to take industrial action if the pupils are allowed to return, the GMB union says.

Many teachers at Glyn Technology School have already voted against accepting the boys back in their classrooms.

The threats made by the boys were completely inexcusable

GMB spokesman

A spokesman for the GMB union said: "Our members are very angry at the thought that these two boys could be readmitted to the school."

"We hope the local authority will take note of the anger on the ground over this case. The threats made by the boys were completely inexcusable."

The workers said they supported the stance of Ms Morris, who intervened after the independent appeals panel overturned the head teacher's ruling.

Members of the GMB union at the school include catering and cleaning staff, maintenance workers and classroom assistants.

The union said if their members decided to walkout if the boys came back, the school would be forced to close.

Surrey County Council was not commenting directly on the threat of industrial action by the GMB.

"What eventually happens will depend on the course of action agreed between the local education authority and the parents," a spokesman said.

Commons' questions

During Prime Minister's questions in the Commons on Wednesday, Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith called on Tony Blair to scrap appeals panels and give disciplinary powers back to head teachers.

Mr Blair replied: "I don't think that would be the right thing to do."

"We would normally expect any pupil who threatens violent behaviour to a teacher to be excluded," Mr Blair added.