VINCE ALLEN, from the National Union of Teachers, said an increase in attacks on teachers was no reason to bring back the birch.

He said: “Our members do ring us to report incidents more often than they did ten years ago, but I do not think they want to see schools taking a more punitive position towards pupils.

“It is difficult to say how we can reduce the number of these instances. If pupils are excluded from a school, they will only have to go to another school anyway.

“Attacks can be reported to the police, but a lot of teachers would be reluctant to see the case prosecuted. They would not want to see the child end up with a criminal record.

“There are techniques teachers can use to defuse the situation. Some local authorities in other parts of the country have invested a lot of time in teaching prevention skills, and in courses aimed at fostering in teachers the ability to make decisions which avoid having to deal with violence.

“I certainly do not think there is any groundswell of belief among teachers that the reintroduction of corporal punishment would have any effect.”