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Episode details

Radio 4,30 Jun 2026,37 mins,

Strict schools: Taking discipline too far?

File on 4 Investigates
Contains scenes which some viewers may find upsetting.

Available for over a year

File on 4 Investigates concerns about how some strict discipline measures are being implemented in schools across England. We discovered students internally excluded for around 20% of their lesson time, and some much longer. The Outwood Grange Academy in Wakefield put one pupil in an isolation booth for more than half of the academic year. We hear from a mother in Devon whose son Taylor took his own life, weeks after he’d expressed his frustration at what he saw as his school, Ivybridge Community College’s punitive and illogical rules. Presenter: Jane Deith Producer: Anna Meisel Production Co-ordinators: Tim Fernley & Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Tara McDermott This programme contains reference to suicide and self harm. You can find out more about organisations that can help if you've been affected by issues raised, by going to www.bbc.co.uk/actionline.

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