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Almost half the students at a British school have been barred from class in just four days because of infractions of their new code of conduct.

The 600 or so scofflaws at the City of Ely Community College in Cambridgeshire, southeastern England, have been sentenced to spend five hours sitting silently in rows in the assembly hall while reading a booklet explaining “good behaviour.”

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The rules they flouted included prohibitions on chewing gum, wearing odd socks, eating between lessons, running, wearing excessive makeup or using “visible” earphones or cellphones.



The zero-tolerance policy was introduced this week by Catherine Jenkinson-Dix, the school’s no-nonsense principal, in consultation with teachers.

On Monday alone, 236 of the college’s 1,295 students were sent to the hall.

”Low-level issues, such as using mobile phones, affect staff’s ability to teach the pupils and also affect those pupils who are trying to learn,” she told the Cambridge News. “If we can eradicate these, all students will be able to receive the best possible education. I am pleased to say I have the support of the majority of parents.