Each year, pupils should sign a contract, drawn up by the student leaders themselves, which, among other things, outlaws anti-social behaviour by pupils towards each other and adults. As with NATO, an offence against any one individual should be deemed an offence against the entire pupil body. The penalty for breaches of the contract should be either temporary or permanent exclusion. A great disservice was done to most pupils when it was made harder for headteachers to exclude pupils. Children need clear boundaries and, if they exist, far fewer end up crossing them. School events and activities should be organised to build a collective sense of belonging. Some children today say they love their schools: all children in Britain should be saying this and meaning it.

Opening doors to the community
All children's intelligences should be taught (at my school we teach 'the Eight Aptitudes': logical and linguistic, personal and social, creative and sporting, spiritual and moral). All children should also be taught 'wellbeing' which goes far beyond 'SEAL' (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) to embrace physical and mental health and good living as well as emotional intelligence.

Healthy and happy children perform better at exams, all research shows.

Once children want to learn, and are mentally and physically prepared to do so, teaching becomes radically different. Anything becomes possible. The waste that occurs in most classrooms of pointless hostility between pupils and teachers evaporates.

Every school should open its doors to parents and the community, with evening classes and trips for parents and others.

In schools like this, teachers will want to teach, and children will want to become teachers themselves. Hold onto your paper. Lobby to make your ideas reality. It will happen eventually, because it is the only intelligent way to live.

Anthony Seldon is Master of Wellington College, a political historian, commentator on politics, education and contemporary Britain, and an author.