A SIXTH year pupil has been charged by the police with assault and

thrown out of Lenzie Academy, near Glasgow, following an alleged

incident involving a knife in the playground.

The boy, who is the subject of a report to the procurator-fiscal, was

charged with possessing an offensive weapon and assault after he

allegedly produced a knife from his pocket in front of other pupils on

February 23.

Strathclyde Regional Council said yesterday the incident was

immediately reported to the head teacher, who referred the matter to the

police and ordered the boy to leave the school.

Education chiefs, who have warned that pupils carrying knives would

face tough action, have arranged for the boy to continue his education

at home in preparation for SCE examinations later this year.

A spokesperson for Strathclyde Police said yesterday: ''I can confirm

that a 16-year-old boy is the subject of a report to the

procurator-fiscal regarding an incident at Lenzie Academy on February

23.''

The school, which is popular with parents mainly because of its high

academic standards, has a roll of 1250 pupils from the Lenzie and

Kirkintilloch areas.

Strathclyde Regional Council's education department said the boy has

been ''excluded'' from the school, rather than expelled. When or whether

he is able to return is a matter for the head teacher.

A spokesman added: ''The school has subsequently discussed the matter

with the boy's parents, who have been very understanding and

co-operative. Support has been given to him so that he can continue his

education at home.

''The education department does everything to engender good behaviour

in and out of schools. Bad behaviour and violence against youngsters is

something we abhor and discourage. We view all incidents of this nature

very seriously indeed.''

Lenzie Academy's headteacher, Mr Colin Brown, said yesterday he could

not discuss the matter and would make no comment ''to protect everyone's

interests''.