A leaked report has stated teachers could soon be given the right to use 'reasonable force' to control unruly school kids.
According to the documents - obtained by The Guardian - teachers would have the power to confiscate mobile phones, impose same-day detentions and expel or suspend disruptive students.
Marked 'Official-Sensitive', the report lists new policies set to be rolled out in the coming weeks, including a £3.5 billion funding announcement and plans to increase teachers' basic pay to £30,000 by 2022.
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However, concerns have been raised - by Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner - regarding a potential move to give headteachers the ability to use 'reasonable force' in their efforts to improve discipline.
According to the newspaper, the document states: "This government backs headteachers to improve behaviour and will support them to create safe and disciplined school environments.
"We will back heads to use powers to promote good behaviour including sanctions and rewards; using reasonable force; to search and confiscate items from pupils (including mobile phones); impose same-day detentions; suspend and expel pupils; ban mobile phones."
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The move has been met with scepticism by some teachers on social media, who have raised their worries.
One person - who claimed they worked in education - tweeted the Conservative Party today, writing: "Hi, I'm a teacher. I'm hoping that there is no truth in these leaked plans to allow 'reasonable force' to - what, discipline, restrain? - young people. Because if there is, this is the last straw and I'm out. And I won't be the only one. You utter fools.
"Discipline is a problem in schools where funding has been cut in the local community. Kids who have no guidance and no hope because their relationships with family and community have broken down will often bring their anger to school."
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According to reports, the paper is currently under discussion between Gavin Williamson's Department for Education (DfE) and No 10. It also proposes pumping £2.8bn for primary and secondary schools up to the age of 16, including £800 million for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Proposals of a further £800m to be put into sixth form and further education colleges are being discussed with the Treasury.
The leaked document also includes announcements regarding a move to open a number of new free schools, a £24,000 incentive for academy trusts to take over struggling schools, and removing exemptions from regular inspection for schools rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted.
Under current guidelines, according to the DoE: "force cannot be used to search for items banned under the school rules."
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However, it can be used in order to protect a pupil from harming themselves or others. Teachers also have the power to search pupils if they believe they are in possession of items such as fireworks, knives or drugs.
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