Suspended! Pupils who struck when school <u>didn't</u> close

Fifty pupils were suspended after they went on strike because their school stayed open through the snow, a headteacher said today.

The Year 10 and 11 pupils at Nova Hreod School, Swindon, refused to come back in from the playing field after morning break on Wednesday.

Headteacher Julie Tridgell said she had to take a tough response, as ringleaders encouraged the students to stay out.

Mrs Tridgell said the pupils, who cannot return to school until Monday, were using the strike as a poor excuse for bad behaviour.

She told the Swindon Advertister: "They refused to come in so I had to take a tough line.

"Students must understand they cannot behave like that. I am giving them a clear message.

"It was a difficult day on Wednesday but the school is focused on improvement and rewarding those young people who come into school and do the right thing day after day."

The ringleaders of the strike face long-term exclusion and the school will be notifying parents.