Councillor Derek Webster, said:
“We accept there is still a place in schools for corporal punishment. Minimum use will be made of the strap but on occasions, it is the only solution at the end of the day.
“The working party recommended retention of the leather tawse and reintroduction of the cane. We accepted a recommendation for a larger strap and rejected the cane. We think this is a reasonable compromise.”
The decision was not a result of the trouble at a comprehensive school in January when children rampaged through the school after the headmaster decided to strap unruly girls as well as boys.
Councillor Cuthbert Stephenson, said: “Some school children get out of hand from time to time. Teachers on the working party felt a larger strap would be a greater deterrent. The threat is enough for 90 per cent. of the children but the odd one will now be punished with this strap.”