Why do I need to know about this?
Because the Government has just made its initial announcements on how it will meet one of its education pledges, to improve classroom discipline.
So what’s changing?
Quite a lot. It will be possible to give detentions on the day, without giving 24 hours’ notice, school staff will be able to search pupils for a greater range of items, there will be stronger guidance on the use of force in the classroom, and teachers accused by pupils will be given anonymity.
Is that all we know about it?
No, the DfE has given a little more detail, but some of the changes are still being discussed by the Education Partnership (the Government-professional association forum which used to be called the Social Partnership). The DfE says it wants to understand more about what the profession wants before making final decisions on this.
So what are the changes on searching pupils?
School staff can already search for knives and weapons. In September that power is extended to alcohol, illegal drugs and stolen goods under the Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Bill.
Later in the autumn the government wants to extend the list of searchable items to include personal electronic devices, pornography, fireworks, cigarettes and “other tobacco products”, plus legal highs. This would be done by regulation, subject to Parliamentary approval.
Later, the government also wants to introduce a general search power covering “any item which may cause disorder or pose a threat to safety”. This will need its own legislation and may be included in the Bill planned for the autumn which is likely to cover the curriculum. The earliest any new powers would be available would be in 2011.
Will we be able to give same-day detentions from September 2010?
No. The removal of the 24-hour notice period will require its own legislation – again, this is likely to be covered in the autumn education bill. Assuming this was passed, schools would be able to use new powers from September 2011.
When can we expect new guidance on the use of force?
Sometime in the Autumn term.
What about false accusations and anonymity for teachers?
Proposals are “currently being developed” on anonymity and measures to protect against false accusations and a timetable for delivery “will be developed in the light of Ministerial considerations.”
Mick Brookes, general secretary of the NAHT, said the association had been campaigning in this area for four years. “School staff need to feel they can instil discipline without being challenged or unfounded and sometimes malicious allegations. Pupils saying “you can’t touch me” or “I know my rights and I’m going to make a complaint about you”. We think this is important.”
He says he is currently pressing the DfE to go further than the current plan for anonymity while a complaint is being investigated. He would like to see some sort of consequences if malicious or frivolous allegations are made, and a guarantee that they would not appear on a teacher’s CRB check.
He says staff who need to restrain pupils should be able to do so without fear of redress.
Page Published: 09/07/2010
