Students as young as 11 have been given permission to smoke cigarettes on the grounds at Elmete Central School in Leeds, according to the BBC. Cigarettes are being confiscated at the beginning of the day but returned to students during break and lunchtimes, for them to smoke on the school grounds.

It is understood the policy was put in place by the previous head teacher as a compromise, as students were not attending school and occasionally leaving the school grounds to smoke when they did attend. The reason behind the policy is to allow smoking in a controlled environment and to keep the students onsite.

Education chiefs at Leeds City Council have conducted an investigation at the school and the current head teacher, who has only been in charge for a few days, has agreed to ensure the policy does not continue. Elmete Central School provides inclusive specialist education for students with behaviour, emotional and social difficulties.