Nursery World - Loophole on smacking will be investigated

The chief adviser on the safety of children is to investigate a loophole in the law that allows part-time educational settings, such as Sunday schools and madrassas, to smack children.

Last week, children's secretary Ed Balls wrote to Sir Roger Singleton, head of the Independent Safeguarding Authority, asking for advice on whether the law should be clarified or changed with regard to physical punishment in part-time educational settings (News, 28 January).

In his reply Sir Roger said, 'I do think there are issues that warrant further exploration', adding that these are 'complex' and will 'require more detailed examination'.

Sir Roger did not wish to 'criminalise' parents who 'administer a mild smack', but questioned whether further limitations should be imposed on organisations such as Sunday schools or madrassas.

Corporal punishment is banned under the Education Act 1996 in all maintained schools and in all full-time independent schools.

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