Britain’s Strictest Schools

When running a big school, how much discipline is too much? Panorama investigates the academy trust where classrooms are silent and pupils can be sent to detention for looking out of the window. For some, reduced disruption and improved exam results at schools run by the Athena Learning Trust in Devon and Cornwall is proof that the tough approach works. But as Richard Bilton reports, many former teachers, students and their parents say the trust’s strict policies on behaviour have gone too far.