NASUWT: Coalition Government’s announcement on pupil behaviour
Commenting on reports that the Coalition Government is introducing new powers in relation to pupil behaviour, which will allow headteachers to prosecute pupils for making a false allegation and to permanently exclude them, and is also slimming down the guidance for schools on pupil behaviour, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:
“Backing schools to continue to maintain high standards of pupil behaviour is critical.
“However, disappointingly, the Coalition Government’s announcement on behaviour seems largely to be announcements of sanctions schools already have or confusing statements apparently more about securing populist public support than backing teachers.
“Giving powers to headteachers to prosecute pupils for making a false allegation appears at first to be a tough sanction. However, there is no information on whether making a false allegation is now to become a criminal offence, how this will protect teachers from children who are under the age of legal responsibility and what the penalties will be if such a prosecution is mounted.
“Headteachers already have the power to permanently exclude pupils who make false allegations.
“Unfortunately, there are still too many who fail to do this. This situation is likely to be compounded by the fact that the Coalition Government is bringing in provisions to enable review panels to fine schools and to make schools formally accountable for the educational outcomes of excluded pupils. This is likely to act as a disincentive to exclusion.
“Slimming down guidance isn’t the same thing as improving it. The important issue is not the length of the guidance but whether it is fit for purpose.
“All of these provisions, however, continue to miss the point of what teachers need to maintain high standards of pupil behaviour.
“The feedback the NASUWT has received from thousands of teachers is that it is not more sanctions they want but backing by school leaders to enable them to feel confident to use the sanctions available. Too many teachers report that the school’s first response to poor behaviour by pupils is to blame the teacher.”
ENDS
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