PARENTS could be made to take disruptive children to school at the weekends and in their holidays under plans to be published in the Government's Education Bill today.

But teaching unions hit out at proposals to force trouble-makers to do the detentions because it would mean more work for teachers who are already over-stretched.

The proposals were, however, welcomed by headteachers, education officials and governors in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Tony Blair has hailed school reforms set out in the Education Bill as critical for the future of the Labour Government.

Under the Government's plans teachers and support staff will get more power over pupils including:

* Making troublemakers attend school on Saturday mornings

* Forcing them to do homework after classes

* Staying open during school holidays so pupils can attend detentions.

If trouble-makers do not attend the extra detentions they face suspension after which parents could be summoned to attend their child's school to plan their reintegration into the classroom.

Education experts said the move would help swing the balance of power back towards school staff after several years during which schools' authority had been eroded.

John Watson, executive member for schools at North Yorkshire County Council, said: "It is always difficult to get the balance right between the rights of children and the rights of teachers.

"Over the past 15 years, the balance has tilted towards the children and the teachers have needed more power. I think this will tip the balance back in teacher's favour."

His views were echoed by Allan Fuller, headteacher of Dene Community School, in Peterlee, County Durham.

He said: "Going back five years, we were unable to manage this because of the way the law had been designed.

"I would welcome anything that strengthens and improves our ability to manage bad behaviour."

Eamonn Farrar, chief executive of Hurworth School, near Darlington, said: "I am definitely in favour of tightening up on disruptive behaviour, like constant talking and students who are cheeky.

"Any teacher can put up with the odd big incident, what we can't cope with is going into a classroom with four of five kids who just mess around the whole lesson.

"The rest of the children just get dispirited and switch off."

But Jerry Bartlett, deputy general secretary of teaching union the NASUWT, said: "The idea of weekend detentions is a ridiculous one. Who would take charge of them? The implication is that it would be teachers.

"NASUWT has worked long and hard to reduce the workload of teachers and this would be a step backwards.

"There is also the irony of teachers losing their own spare time to punish the misbehaviour of their own pupils."

But Mr Farrar said: "I think you will find teachers would give up their time in order to have better discipline in the classroom."

Veronica Copeland, a governor at Eastbourne Comprehensive School, in Darlington, said whatever the punishment, parents needed to be involved.

"I don't think any school can do anything to address behaviour without the support of parents.

"Taking away children's weekends may not be a bad idea as long as the time is put to good use."

Yesterday, ministers were doing last minute lobbying of Labour backbenchers to win over the critics before the publication of the Bill today.

Up to 100 Labour rebels are threatening to vote against the Government and former Education Secretary David Blunkett has acknowledged that the vote is on a knife edge.

Last night, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly insisted the Bill would gain the consent of the majority of Labour MPs.

The Bill will allow private companies, faith groups and parents, the freedom to set up and run schools under the state system, as well as permiting existing schools to develop partnerships with outside organisations and establish federations with neighbouring secondaries.