Now ministers tell outraged teachers to let pupils select new staff

The proposals will also see pupils observing lessons, sitting on government bodies and giving feedback on how well they are taught.

But teaching unions last night threatened to strike to block what they called "misguided" practices.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, called the guidance "extremely unfortunate" and a "misguided distortion of the concept of student voice".

Some schools already allow pupils to sit on panels and attend governors meetings but many more are likely to follow suit as a result of the guidance which alls schools have a legal duty to consider.

Mrs Keates said the NASUWT would lobby the Government and schools to stop such practices and if this fails "they would have to consider, with the support of members, balloting for action to boycott the system."

She cited a case where a teacher reprimanded a pupil, who answered: "don't forget I interviewed you. You got the job because of me."

She added: "Teachers are already being monitored into oblivion and now they have got pupils monitoring them as well.

"This also undermines teachers' authority and deprofessionalises them."

But Schools Minister Jim Knight said greater pupil involvement helped children critical thinking and advocacy and influencing skills.

He said: "Giving young people a voice in decisions that affect them has a positive impact on the school environment and local community.

"Our aim is for all young people to want and be able to participate and take responsible action."

He added that it was up to the individual school to decide the appropriate level of pupil involvement, taking into account children's "age, maturity and understanding."