File on 4 Investigates - Strict schools: Taking discipline too far?

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File on 4 Investigates concerns about how some strict discipline measures are being implemented in schools across England.

We discovered students internally excluded for around 20% of their lesson time, and some much longer. The Outwood Grange Academy in Wakefield put one pupil in an isolation booth for more than half of the academic year.

We hear from a mother in Devon whose son Taylor took his own life, weeks after he’d expressed his frustration at what he saw as his school, Ivybridge Community College’s punitive and illogical rules.

Presenter: Jane Deith
Producer: Anna Meisel
Production Co-ordinators: Tim Fernley & Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Cameron Ward
Editor: Tara McDermott

This programme contains reference to suicide and self harm.

If you've been affected by some of the issues raised in this programme you can find out more about organisations that can help by going to www.bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Published on Tuesday, 30th June 2026.

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