The third-former, who took cannabis from her home to give away, was one of five children suspended indefinitely this week. A further 17 were sent home for three days.

Some parents are angry at the school for taking action against their children. Principal Derek Stubbs suggested that one couple who protested should get their child drug-tested.

He said he had made the decisions on suspension with great difficulty, based on the degree of involvement. "Because she had been handing it around, we had a job to try and find out who received it and what happened to it."

Teachers were alerted when some students were found smoking cannabis at the school. One student had tried to sell it, while others had simply kept hold of it. None of them had told a teacher about the drug.

Mr Stubbs said the girl brought the cannabis to school on Monday last week "and had brought some on other days prior to that."

The school found drugs in the school the next day, and called police.

Mr Stubbs said the incident was a one-off involving a troubled and lonely girl.

"My understanding is the police raided a house, and an arrest may have been made."

The board of trustees will meet today and next week to discuss the future of the five students indefinitely suspended.

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