THERE has been an overwhelming response from Daily Echo readers to the stand taken by supply teacher Dawn Adams.

The Echo reported on Saturday that the 46-year-old from Charminster was so appalled by classroom chaos experienced in local schools that she intends to stand as a councillor in next May's elections.

Her troubled tales of pupils misbehaviour and teachers struggling to cope have struck a chord and sent a wave of support to her door.

"I have probably had about 100 phone calls. It has been phenomenal," she said. "I didn't expect that. They have all supported me but one - and she accused me of doing this for self-promotion.

"But I'm not doing this for myself, I'm doing it for the kids. Not for the schools or education or the teachers, I'm doing it for the kids," she said.

The mother-of-four was so disillusioned she removed her 14-year-old daughter from Summerbee Secondary School to teach at home.

She worked in at least four different schools as a supply teacher in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and became convinced the system needed changing.

Mrs Adams, who says she intends to stand as an Independent councillor in the hope of making a difference, says 80 per cent of the calls she received concerned one particular school.

The Echo has also received e-mails and letters from concerned parents and teachers.

One mother told us there were fights at her daughter's school every day and she had to be taken to hospital for stitches after being pushed by a boy.

John Spiers of Ferndown believes not even National Service would cope with, "Today's youth... so full of his own self-importance and beyond the actual understanding of self-discipline."

A Dorset teacher e-mailed a list of 10 reasons why behaviour has deteriorated in schools ranging from limits on exclusions to poor parenting.

Vicky Douglas, who has a son at Summerbee, strongly disagreed with Mrs Adams. "His teachers appear to be hardworking, enthusiastic and caring, characteristics clearly visible at any school event or open day," she said.

And teacher Clive Sharp of Poole said there were some excellent schools because of the quality of teaching staff and hard working pupils. He added: "Most learn from their experiences and go on to be good teachers and the rest go into politics."