'Protest' pupils return to class

Pupils said Mr Walker cared and had made them work hard

Most year nine pupils have returned to a Swindon school after being banned from classes for staging a protest.

Earlier this week, the whole of Headlands School was sent home after some pupils staged a walkout.

They were voicing concerns about standards and protesting against a decision to discipline a teacher.

History teacher Malcolm Walker wrote to his tutor group criticising the way the school is run and faced action by education officials.

They say the action was to re-establish a stable environment.

Mr Walker's statement said: "I think the permanent teachers have been treated without respect and students have been neglected (denied a proper education)."

Mr Walker says he intends to leave at the end of term.

About 40 students refused to return to lessons after the walkout on Monday.

They said they were upset at Mr Walker's departure because he cared and had made them work hard.