Children allowed to smoke between lessons

Posed by models: Ten pupils have so far received parental permission to smoke.
13 April 2012

A city learning centre has taken a "special approach to a very serious problem" by allowing pupils as young as 14 to smoke between lessons, it emerged today.

Students at Tinshill Learning Centre in Leeds can light up in an outdoor facility during breaks, as long as they have parental permission, Education Leeds said.

See also: Row as 7-year-olds are taught to act out smoking cannabis

Parents received a letter at the beginning of term outlining the new policy, which aims to help pupils stop smoking and reduce confrontations with teachers.

The centre in Woodnook Drive, Leeds, West Yorkshire, caters for 120 boys and girls aged 14 to 16 who have been expelled from their previous schools.

A spokesman for Education Leeds said around ten pupils had so far received parental permission to smoke.

He said: "Unfortunately a number of young people who attend Tinshill Learning Centre do smoke, and sometimes we have to take a special approach to a very serious problem.

"Their smoking did not begin at the centre, and is not encouraged or condoned by us in any way. "We have introduced this trial arrangement to help them move from their dangerous habit towards a smoking cessation programme.

"This follows guidance from health professionals by bringing the problem out into the open, informing parents and carers of their child's habit.

The National Union of Teachers said it did not condone the arrangement and would call for it to be stopped if teachers complained.

Tim Hales, assistant secretary of Leeds National Union of Teachers (NUT), said: "I can understand there may be reasons why the school takes this course of action to reduce the amount of confrontation between staff and pupils who feel they need to have a cigarette, but it seems a strange way of dealing with this issue and we cannot support it.

"There are a number of health and safety issues. Our members are put at risk of smoke inhalation."

He said teachers were normally expected to uphold that "smoking is not a good thing" and added: "Our members are not in a position to smoke themselves.

"I think it would be quite galling for our members who are not able to smoke and want to smoke."

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