Gazette readers reject a call for an end to use of isolation booths in schools

With concern growing that an increasing use of the booths for disruptive students could have serious effects on young people's mental health, we asked if their use should be stopped.

More than 600 people voted, with 49.8% saying yes and 50.2% no.

Comments on on our Facebook page reflected the close division of opinion.

Charlotte Louise said: “It’s not fair on teachers and other pupils to have to deal with the constant distraction of badly behaved pupils and if they are that badly behaved it’s unlikely they will be punished at home if removed from school. I was a visitor of our isolation and it did me no harm,” while Helen Ford added: “We clearly didn't have these in my school/were never used. I was bullied so much I would have loved to have been in one.”

Vicky Chisholm wrote: “Today’s kids are lacking in social skills as it is, this is the easy way out for teachers. Removing a kid from class doesn't fix the disruptive behaviour,” while Rachel Mavin said: “I was isolated from my maths lessons and as a result failed my maths and was badly bullied. Nobody should be isolated in any way from lessons.”

And Carly Wilson-Palmer argued: “Solitary confinement is a punishment used in prison. It shouldn't be adopted to schools, even if it is a lesser form.”