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Schools could be given a statutory responsibility for dealing with cases of suspected child abuse.

The proposals follow the death of six-year-old Lauren Wright who was killed after her head teacher and assistant teacher failed to report her weight loss and bruising.

Stephen Timms, minister for school standards, told the House of Commons: "We are contemplating the suggestion that there should be a statutory requirement for schools to have a policy and a procedure on dealing with suspected abuse.

"We are reflecting carefully on whether to introduce changes in the Education Bill to strengthen the basis for child protection arrangements in schools."

Pattie Hill, general secretary of the National Association of Social Workers in Education, said that the association fully supports the proposals for the Education Bill.