Pupil Refuses to Stand When Headmaster Enters the Classroom

Daniel Walton was suspended from the school, Macclesfield High in Cheshire, when he barged past a teacher after being ordered to sit in an 'isolation' room for refusing to stand.

And rather than remonstrate with his son, jobless 40-year-old Tim Walton is supporting him.

He says Daniel was entirely justified in remaining seated because 55-year-old Mr Harrison, who joined the school as acting head this year, has yet to earn the pupils' respect.

Mr Walton, a father of three, insisted that when the four-and-a-half-day suspension ends tomorrow Daniel will still refuse to stand for the head. 'I've had enough of my kids being punished because of these so-called rules which have nothing to do with their education,' he said.

'I teach my kids that respect is earned. The head hasn't been there long enough to earn my son's respect so why should he stand up for him?'

Mr Harrison has been in the profession for 34 years and his wife is also a headteacher.

Headmaster Kevin Harrison has excluded pupils who refuse to stand up when he enters a classroom. He said: 'I have, with the full support of governors and staff, a specific focus on raising standards of behaviour and students' appearance.

'Schools are often maligned for not taking a firm enough stance on such issues and there is a wealth of evidence that the vast majority of young people and parents value schools with high standards.

'When I was at school we had to stand when the headteacher entered the assembly and when he left. All children need to learn the importance of following rules and showing respect for others.'

Mr Walton said: 'The school sent a letter saying that I told Dan, "Kick the headteacher in the nuts if he kept you against your will".

'I think it's diabolical. My boy shouldn't be excluded for something I have said. I don't regret it.'