REGARDING J M Aldridge's letter on exclusion of pupils, another letter from the do-gooder brigade those who think that children should never be punished, no matter how ill-behaved they are.

No wonder children are out of control these days. Having a foster kid in a household is totally different to having a 'disruptive' brat in a class of 30+.

Teachers are put in a unique position, putting up with criticism from all sides and never seem to get the respect they deserve.

I'm not a teacher myself but a very close friend of mine is and I'm aware of how much she is willing to give to pupils who come to her for help. I know children sometimes act in an antisocial way as a cry for help but some also do it because they want to and they are nothing more than attention-seekers.

Maybe Mr/Mrs Aldridge should put him/herself in a position of being in charge of 30+ children with one child being disruptive before passing judgement.

We hear of teachers being verbally, physically or even sexually abused by pupils surely he/she doesn't think these crimes should go unpunished.

MS R J STROUD

Trowbridge