French students and police clash as school blockades turn violent

More than 200 arrested while teachers join protest over class sizes, exhausting timetables and staff shortages

French teenagers blockading their schools in protest at class sizes, teacher shortages and long timetables have clashed with police, as politicians traded verbal blows over how to respond.

Demonstrations that began in Paris last week have escalated and spread across France, with the authorities reporting the arrests of 164 people on Monday.