Letter: Difficult pupils

ANGELA CRUM EWING (letter, 30 April) is right that difficult pupils need professional help, but I disagree with her that it is unreasonable to expect this to be provided by mainstream schools.

There are some enlightened local authorities which provide a counselling service for students. Teachers are neither qualified, nor do they have the time, to address the school-based and personal issues which interfere with everyday school life.

Whilst exclusion does remove a disruptive influence from the class it does not afford the excluded young person the opportunity to address the fundamental reasons for the anti-social behaviour that led to it.

Government needs to recognise the value of one-to-one counselling and provide schools with the finances to provide a supportive, of both students and teachers, professional counselling service.

GEOFF COX

Rugby, Warwickshire