School expels boy of 9 for possessing cannabis

A nine-year-old boy has been expelled from his primary school for alleged possession of cannabis.

The head of Whitings Hill primary school in Barnet, Maureen McGoldrick, suspended the boy, thought to be the youngest child to be expelled for alleged drug possession, after the police were called in. Later, she decided to exclude him permanently.

Staff called in the police when they found the boy carrying what they suspected to be a drug.

The boys' parents are reported to be angry that they were not present when police interviewed the boy who told his father he had found the substance in class.

They are also reported to have said that the boy told police he found the substance at home because he was frightened.

A spokeswoman for New Scotland Yard confirmed that police had been called to the school on 21 March.

"Because the child was under the age of criminal responsibility no further action was taken in the matter of alleged possession of a controlled substance."

She said the case had been reported to their Youth and Community section because a child was involved, but there had been no inquiry and the substance had not been analysed.

Anne Jarvis, chairman of Barnet council's education committee, said: "We are aware of the situation and we are monitoring it.

"The head teacher has a perfect right to exclude the child. It is a sensible precaution and we appreciate why she has taken it," she said. "The governing body will meet to decide whether to endorse her decision. If they do endorse it, the child's parents will have the right to appeal against their decision."

At this stage, she said the local authority's role was simply to advise the school. If the parents appealed, it would appoint an independent appeals panel to hear the case.

Recent surveys have shown that growing numbers of primary school children are taking drugs, but it is still comparatively rare.

A survey of 4000 11-13-year-olds in London, published in December, found that 96 per cent had never tried drugs. Thirty per cent of 14-16-year- olds had tried drugs.

A national study of 7700 from Edinburgh University published last year showed that 42 per cent of 15-16-year-olds had taken drugs, mainly cannabis.