PAPER C

Committee :    EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING SELECT COMMITTEE

Date :              8 APRIL 2002

Title :              POLICY FOR BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE AT SCHOOL

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1.        SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The Committee requested that the LEA guidance on behaviour and discipline be discussed.

2.        BACKGROUND

The School Standards and Framework Act (SSFA) 1998 clearly states that the responsibilities with the governing body and the Headteacher :

           2.1      The Governing Body is Responsible for :

                       ✶          Ensuring that policies designed to promote good behaviour and discipline on the part of its pupils are pursued at the school;

                       ✶          Making, and from time to time reviewing, a discipline policy.

                       ✶          Consulting the Headteacher and parents of pupils registered at the school before making or revising the discipline policy.

                       ✶          Notifying the Headteacher, and providing her/him with any guidance that it considers appropriate, where it considers it desirable for the Headteacher to determine any particular measures in respect of the general discipline of the school.

           2.2      The Headteacher is Responsible for :

                       ✶          Determining the standard of behaviour, which is to be regarded as acceptable at the school, so far as it is not determined by the governing body.

                       ✶          Acting in accordance with the current statement made by the governing body, and determining measure to be taken with a view to:

                       ✶          Promoting, among pupils, self-discipline and proper regard for authority.

                       ✶          Encouraging good behaviour and respect for others on the part of pupils and, in particular, preventing all forms of bullying among pupils.

                       ✶          Securing that the standard of behaviour of pupils is acceptable.

                       ✶          Otherwise regulating the conduct of pupils.

                       ✶          Publicising the above measures in the form of a written document, which shall be made generally known within the school and to parents of pupils registered at the school, a process which should include, at least once in every school year; taking steps to bring them to the attention of all such pupils and parents and persons employed at the school, or otherwise engaged to provide their services at the school.

           2.3      It is considered good practice for LEAs to offer advice and guidance to schools on policies in this area. In common with most LEAs the Isle of Wight provides schools with a policy model, a copy of which is enclosed. This model policy received favourable comment in the last Inspection of the LEA.

Contact Points :          David Pettitt, Assistant Director Education and Community Development ☎ 823410

Rob Faulkner, Senior Education Officer, SEN ☎ 823405

A G KAYE

Strategic Director of Education and Community Development