This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6290281.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Pupils excluded following walkout Pupils excluded following walkout
(30 minutes later)
Eleven children have been excluded from a school after they walked out because they said there were too many supply teachers.Eleven children have been excluded from a school after they walked out because they said there were too many supply teachers.
There have been protests at Berryhill Sports College and High School in Stoke-on-Trent on Monday and Tuesday, with dozens said to be involved.There have been protests at Berryhill Sports College and High School in Stoke-on-Trent on Monday and Tuesday, with dozens said to be involved.
Governors' chairman Terry Crowe said the 11 pupils, who are aged about 15, were told to stay away for two weeks.Governors' chairman Terry Crowe said the 11 pupils, who are aged about 15, were told to stay away for two weeks.
"Parents who have taken part with the children are irresponsible," he said."Parents who have taken part with the children are irresponsible," he said.
I won't be bullied by children or parents Terry Crowe, chair of governorsI won't be bullied by children or parents Terry Crowe, chair of governors
Police were called during a protest on Monday, a spokesman for the school in Bucknall said.Police were called during a protest on Monday, a spokesman for the school in Bucknall said.
One of those to have been excluded, Nikita Bailey, told the BBC that about 60 pupils were involved in Monday's demonstration.One of those to have been excluded, Nikita Bailey, told the BBC that about 60 pupils were involved in Monday's demonstration.
She said: "All the students are just getting to the point where they don't want supply teachers any more.She said: "All the students are just getting to the point where they don't want supply teachers any more.
"They just want a proper education with proper teachers and everyone's just getting sick of it, so we just walked out to get heard really."They just want a proper education with proper teachers and everyone's just getting sick of it, so we just walked out to get heard really.
"The teachers and the head teacher won't listen to us and we thought we would get heard if we walked out.""The teachers and the head teacher won't listen to us and we thought we would get heard if we walked out."
Main protagonistsMain protagonists
One parent who was outside the school on Tuesday, Mandy Moore, said: "I believe the children have a right (to protest). Nobody seems to be listening."One parent who was outside the school on Tuesday, Mandy Moore, said: "I believe the children have a right (to protest). Nobody seems to be listening."
Another parent, Elsa Haldane, said: "I'm with them (the children) 100%. At least they can see the children want to learn."Another parent, Elsa Haldane, said: "I'm with them (the children) 100%. At least they can see the children want to learn."
The school said those who have been excluded were the main protagonists and some issues had been resolved. The school said those who have been excluded were the protagonists and some issues had been resolved.
Mr Crowe said staff had said there had been complaints over school uniforms and body piercing.Mr Crowe said staff had said there had been complaints over school uniforms and body piercing.
The school said it could not give specific reasons why pupils had been excluded but it was not aware of an issue to do with uniforms.The school said it could not give specific reasons why pupils had been excluded but it was not aware of an issue to do with uniforms.
'Very frustrated''Very frustrated'
Mr Crowe said: "I've been the chairman of governors for 20 years and I won't be bullied by children or parents to do things I don't think are compatible with what the school is about.Mr Crowe said: "I've been the chairman of governors for 20 years and I won't be bullied by children or parents to do things I don't think are compatible with what the school is about.
"Staff have got a hard enough job these days without parents egging them on. It's not good for school discipline.""Staff have got a hard enough job these days without parents egging them on. It's not good for school discipline."
The vast majority of students enjoyed a normal school day Mark Ranford, deputy headThe vast majority of students enjoyed a normal school day Mark Ranford, deputy head
The school said it was available to listen to the views of parents and students. Deputy head Mark Ranford said on Monday: "A small number of pupils engaged in an unacceptable demonstration against essential school rules at the school gate.The school said it was available to listen to the views of parents and students. Deputy head Mark Ranford said on Monday: "A small number of pupils engaged in an unacceptable demonstration against essential school rules at the school gate.
"Four representative pupils were invited into the school and discussed with senior staff ways of resolving their issues."Four representative pupils were invited into the school and discussed with senior staff ways of resolving their issues.
"Several students then returned to lessons as normal. The vast majority of students enjoyed a normal school day and lunchtime.""Several students then returned to lessons as normal. The vast majority of students enjoyed a normal school day and lunchtime."
The school said a meeting had been arranged with the chair of governors later this week to allow further dialogue between students, parents and senior staff.The school said a meeting had been arranged with the chair of governors later this week to allow further dialogue between students, parents and senior staff.
The city council said it was concerned about the situation but the issue of school discipline was a matter for the head teacher and the governors.The city council said it was concerned about the situation but the issue of school discipline was a matter for the head teacher and the governors.