Pupil suspended after classroom row with sixth former teaching lessons
9:24am Friday 16th May 2008
A GIRL was suspended after a row with a sixth form pupil who was taking a class under a controversial scheme.
Chantelle Hagger, 14, was suspended for Monday and Tuesday following an incident in a PE class at Chalfont Community College.
The sixth form student was leading the class as part of a college scheme to use A-level students instead of supply teachers.
Her mother, Yvette, said the programme was to blame for her daughter's suspension.
She said: "A teacher is trained not to argue with you.
"If the sixth former was more mature he would have gone to get the teacher but he stayed there and argued.
"If a teacher was there it would have been sorted straight away.
"I can't understand how they could teach her when they are not qualified.
"Are they mature enough to be looking after 13 and 14-year-olds?"
She said the row began because the student felt she was not far enough away from her friends who were sitting out a PE lesson.
The pupil was suspended on Monday morning after meeting with a teacher to discuss Friday's incident.
She was "exceptionally rude" to this teacher said Sue Tanner, the college's principal.
Mrs Tanner said it was an internal matter and was being looked into.
She did not wish to comment any further.
The scheme uses 24 students.
They must be taking an A-level for the subject they teach and are paid £5 for every 50 minutes.
Mrs Tanner said last month the scheme was introduced as she was unhappy with the quality of supply teachers.
Referring to supply teachers, she told the Bucks Free Press: "They are not teaching, it is more like babysitting, they are just coming in and sitting there to cover.
"Sometimes they don't understand the expectations here, that we have a behaviour policy we expect teachers to follow."