Inside the school that prides itself on structure and silence

The founder of Bedford Free School - and its former head - Mark Lehain says his was the first school in town to introduce instant permanent exclusions for students carrying knives.

He says in consequence the school has been seen as partly responsible for Bedford's high rate of exclusions. That rate is double the national average.

But he argues this has been a necessary move to improve safety and behaviour.

• Click below for Elodie Harper's report

The current head of Bedford Free School, Stuart Lock, believes the strict "routines and structures" are the best way to support students' learning.

Pupils have to observe complete silence between classes and even minor bad behaviour - such as being late to class or not paying full attention - are marked on an achievement card. Too many marks and a student gets detention. But if a student gets through a week with no marks, they can leave school 45 minutes early on a Friday.

Although many argue stricter rules lead to more exclusions, staff here argue the opposite is true as it gives vulnerable students a sense of structure and boundaries.

They also say they take in more students who have been excluded from other schools than they exclude students from their own school.

Others however, believe that high rates of exclusion are never positive. Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow and the chair of the Education select committee says current rates are at 'epidemic' level.

He advocates a Bill of Rights for excluded children, including independent panels to review decisions to exclude a child, to make sure young peoples' life chances are not damaged.