Ely College - Zero Tolerance Controversy

Zero Tolerance Controversy

In April 2011 the Daily Express dubbed Ely College "Britain's strictest school". In a newsletter to parents that month, Headteacher Catherine Jenkinson-Dix had issued a warning about the introduction of a zero-tolerance policy for the school, rigidly enforcing existing policies on school uniforms and discipline, plus restricting the use of mobile phones and iPods. Defending the action, she stated: "This is fundamental in preparing them for their future careers, where they certainly would not get away with being rude, dressing inappropriately and chewing gum."

The school came under scrutiny in the national press when the Daily Mail claimed teachers had handed out a total of 717 detentions over a period of four days. The Daily Mirror reported that on one day, one-fifth of the schools pupils were put in detention for "a crackdown on school behaviour". Some parents claimed in the national press that they would be removing their children from the school, but others were supportive and by the following month Catherine Jenkinson-Dix was claiming the policy to have been a success, saying that it had enabled teachers to spend more time teaching as they are dealing with fewer distractions in the classroom.