Drugs scandal rocks school (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Drugs scandal rocks school

A TETBURY school has been rocked by a drugs scandal after a pupil allegedly turned up for lessons under the influence of illegal drugs.

Two pupils have been temporarily suspended after the incident at Sir William Romney's School and further investigations are still on going.

Headteacher Eric Dawson confirmed a cannabis related incident had taken place at the school on Wednesday last week and it was still being looked into.

He explained the problems had arisen after a 15-year-old pupil returned from morning break-time displaying bizarre behaviour.

The child's unusual actions highlighted to staff that they may have been under the influence of drugs.

Although no drugs were found on the pupil it is believed they may have consumed an illegal substance.

Mr Dawson said: "The school obviously takes this very seriously and our policy is very clear. As a result we have issued the pupils with a fixed term exclusion."

The two pupils involved are in Year 10 and although Mr Dawson would not confirm any further details about their identity one of those involved is though to be male.

One worried parent of children at the school said he was not surprised to hear about the incident.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: "I think something should be done and it should be addressed seriously. For a small community school like this, we're just in a little town and to have a problem like this, it's a serious problem."

"I'm disgusted to be honest, the school can't control everything but they need to address things and not sweep them under the carpet."

Mr Dawson stressed that Sir William Romney's does have a full drugs education programme for pupils at each stage of their school life.

Teachers have been specially trained by police and the school have previously worked with a drugs awareness program based in Stroud.

Police have visited the school on previous occasions as part of the drugs education programmes however they have not been involved with this particular incident.