A SCHOOL governor today resigned as a pupil who allegedly hit a teacher returned to the classroom for private one-to-one lessons.

Matthew Nixon, 13, was driven to Fearns High School, Stacksteads, by his tutor and escorted into the building by head teacher Neil Thornley.

But governor Mr Andrew Neville said the decision: "Gives a message to pupils it is fine if you hit a teacher once, just don't do it twice."

Matthew was expelled in May after a playground fight when an experienced teacher was struck in the face. Staff from three unions at the school are being balloted over industrial action and a result is expected in a week's time.

Mr Thornley's decision to exclude Matthew was backed by the governors and local education authority, but Matthew's mother, Miss Mary Hamnett, refused the option of another school and pursued three appeals until an independent panel agreed her son should return. Governor Andrew Neville resigned from the board claiming the chairman, Councillor David Baron, should have called for a judicial review instead of accepting the panel's judgement.

Views of parents taking their children to school today were mixed.

Derek Broadhurst, of Haslingden, has a daughter in year 11. He said: "I don't think he should be coming back because he has committed an act of violence against a teacher.

"We should go back to the old values and bring back corporal punishment. They are too soft on pupils today, teaching them as young adults instead of children."

Christine Clegg, of Stacksteads, has a son who grew up with Matthew and feels he deserves a second chance. She said: "He has done what anyone could do on a rare occasion and hit out in a temper. It was his first offence and after punishment he should be given a second chance."

Another parent with a year nine child said: "I don't see why people outside the system should make a decision whether he comes back. I wouldn't allow him back."

Maths teacher Howard Hughes backed Mr Thornley's stand, saying Matthew should have accepted the alternative schools offered to him. Mr Thornley added: "What he did was deliberate, premeditated and with malice aforethought.

"The Government has itself in a mess on this and we are reaping the rewards. I expect changes to the system to be announced in the Queen's speech."

The governors have written to Education and Employment Secretary Gillian Shephard about the problem but have yet to receive a reply.

Matthew is not allowed to mix with other pupils, his break times will be at a different time from other children and he must go home before lunch.

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