JUDGES at the centre of a school's smacking case have decided to "go away and think about it" before making any decision.

The headteacher at The River School in Fernhill Heath, travelled to London yesterday with representatives from 39 other Christian schools.

Graham Coyle wants to be able to discipline disruptive children at the school with corporal punishment.

The Court of Appeal in London was told that smacking is part of a religious doctrine protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

The schools' bid to reintroduce smacking, which was banned in 1998, was rejected by the High Court last year.

The three judges, Lord Justices Buxton and Rix and Lady Justice Arden, were told that the convention gave everyone the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Paul Diamond, representing the schools said corporal punishment was a doctrine advocated by the Bible and was therefore part of the ethos of evangelical schools.

But Hugo Keith, of the Department for Education and skills, said there was no violation of convention rights by imposing the ban on smacking in schools.

The bench decided to reserve judgement.

"We don't know how long it will be," said Mr Coyle.

"They've gone away to think about it.

"There's a lot to think about. It's not a clear case, which from our point of view is encouraging.

"We'll just have to wait and see."