COMMONWEAL headteacher Keith Defter has leapt to defence of the school after revelations came to light about drug activity among pupils.

In a statement sent to parents, Mr Defter said he felt it was prudent to explain the school’s case after the Adver detailed claims that drug-taking pupils are walking into class high and hiding drugs in their underwear.

A Commonweal teacher called for police sniffer dogs to visit the school to catch out the students following a number of undercover police patrols in the Goddard Avenue area earlier this month.

A number of residents had complained about students smoking drugs before and after school.

Mr Defter said: "Contrary to the impression given by two recent articles in the Swindon Advertiser there has been no long term escalation of drug-related incidents at Commonweal.

“In recent weeks we have been in contact with two members of our local community who have raised concerns about the conduct of students congregating in Old Town before school.

“We were in both cases grateful that we were alerted to these concerns and took decisive action immediately, including working with the parents of all those allegedly involved.

“At the behest of the school and the local community, police were involved and a collaborative strategy implemented, which has led to increased police patrols.

“Despite the fact that the incidents in question have occurred out of school, we take our community responsibilities very seriously, responding to each concern as if it had happened on-site and within school hours.

“In line with our code of conduct and related policies we have a clear and unambiguous process for dealing with issues relating to drug abuse.

“Whenever an issue is raised, we investigate it and wherever necessary work with the appropriate external agencies to resolve it.

“We are neither complacent nor naïve. It would be folly to deny that in our community some adolescents will ‘experiment’ with illegal substances and push boundaries. However, when this has been brought to our attention we have been swift to take action.”

In the last year one pupil has been permanently excluded for being caught with drugs and during undercover police patrols earlier this month, a group of pupils were stopped but no drugs were found.

Mr Defter said he will continue to respond to all concerns raised by residents.

“Such media coverage is extremely disappointing, but it is worth remembering that the vast majority of our students remain outstanding ambassadors for the school,” he said.