NI school suspends pupils in cannabis probe

Fourteen GCSE students have been suspended as part of a probe into cannabis smoking by a Northern Ireland school, it was revealed tonight.

Antrim Grammar principal Janet Williamson confirmed they were sent home after parents were alerted and police called in.

Even though the drugs were taken outside the school where 707 pupils are enrolled, the girls and boys involved were all still in uniform at the time.

Ms Williamson said: “It seems there was an opportunity to try something so pupils got a bit carried away and took it.

“In our policy anything they do in their uniform, including out of school, we reserve the right to deal with that.”

Some of the pupils, all in fourth form, returned to class today after a one-day suspension.

But others will be kept away for longer based on assessments carried out by senior staff.

School authorities learned on Friday that students had been trying the Class C drug earlier in the week.

“There had been a rumour about LSD as well, but there was no substance to it,” added Ms Williamson.

“We established that through neighbourhood police.”

Professional counselling will also be provided to stop any reoffending by pupils at the school which has achieved some of Northern Ireland’s best academic results since it was formed in 1974.

A statement issued jointly with the North Eastern Education and Library Board insisted: “The school has adopted a measured and professional approach after it emerged that 14 Year 11 pupils had experimented with cannabis.

“While no pupil did so on the school premises, the school takes a very serious view of any drug use and has taken immediate action.

“Precautionary one day suspensions were issued to allow the extent of the problem to be fully investigated by the principal, the head of pastoral care and the pupils’ year tutor.”

Ms Williamson spent the day talking to the pupils involved, along with their parents, before deciding if they were ready to return.

“We are dealing with them as individuals,” she said.

“The majority of pupils will be back in by the end of the school day.

“For some, if felt necessary, the punishment will be longer.

“Either we need to get them support or there are still further inquiries being made.”

Education authorities and Antrim Grammar’s Board of Governors were informed of the action being taken.

Police confirmed officers had gone to the school yesterday after a request from Ms Williamson.

A spokesman added: “Police officers from Antrim are currently working together with the school.

“There were no arrests and nothing was seized.”

An organisation set up to give drug and alcohol advice to young people in the area was alarmed by the development and offered to help deal with the situation.

Donald O’Hagan, manager of the Department of Health-funded Antrim Youth Information Centre, said he had already helped set up a talk on sexual health for the school.

He said: “There’s a problem with drugs and alcohol within Antrim generally.

“We could design and deliver a drug education programme for delivery within the school at whatever age they want.”