The Government today launched a crackdown on unruly pupils and their violent parents.

Disruptive pupils could face anger management classes while their mums and dads may be forced to attend parenting courses.

Education Secretary Estelle Morris has responded to teachers' pleas by giving them more powers to deal with problem pupils.

Head teachers could exclude the most disruptive pupils, while badly behaved youngsters may be sent on anger management courses or undergo counselling.

Parents could also be forced back into the classroom to improve their parenting skills.

Appeals panels, which can overturn school exclusion orders, will also be given fresh guidance.

It will require that the interests of the school are balanced against those of the pupil.

Mrs Morris is also expected to announce an exams shake-up after tests for A-level pupils were branded a "shambles".

A review of the new AS levels is thought to have recommended a reduction in the number of exams sat by A-level pupils in their first year.

Updated: 10.40 Monday, July 9