RESIDENTS have taken to social media to back a school blasted last week for its heavy-handed approach to discipline.

As previously reported, Magna Academy had advertised for a director of isolations and detentions at their purpose-built Behaviour Correction Unit, due to start in September.

The school sought someone with a 'tough love' approach to discipline who would instil obedient behaviour in the pupils.

But some have voiced support for the proposal.

One social media user wrote: "Teach your kids to be respectful and to get on with leading a decent and honest life and then the school won't have to send them to behavioural units."

Another wrote: "Sounds perfectly reasonable - making sure the children who want to learn can do so and the teachers can teach. What's wrong with that?"

Another said: "What would you propose should be done with people who continuously disrupt the learning of others and stop teachers teaching because they have to focus on a small number of disruptive children?"

A spokesman for the school said that parents are consulted on all proposed changes at the school. As previously reported, the Daily Echo was informed that badly-behaved children would be made to stand in assembly to apologise to their peers for letting them down.

The spokesman said that this policy was not introduced following feedback from parents.

"We very much value the thoughtful and informed feedback we receive from students' families, which help to influence our decisions," he said. "It is for this reason that we not only have a PTA at Magna but also a thriving Parent Forum, whose remit it is to ensure that 'Parent Voice' is always heard and understood."