Part 7E+WDiscipline, behaviour and exclusion

Chapter 1E+WSchool Discipline

Certain schools required to have behaviour policyE+W

88Responsibility of governing body for disciplineE+W

(1)The governing body of a relevant school must ensure that policies designed to promote good behaviour and discipline on the part of its pupils are pursued at the school.

(2)In particular, the governing body—

(a)must make, and from time to time review, a written statement of general principles to which the head teacher is to have regard in determining any measures under section 89(1), and

(b)where they consider it desirable that any particular measures should be so determined by the head teacher or that he should have regard to any particular matters—

(i)shall notify him of those measures or matters, and

(ii)may give him such guidance as they consider appropriate.

(3)Before making or revising the statement required by subsection (2)(a) the governing body must consult (in such manner as appears to them to be appropriate)—

(a)the head teacher,

(b)such other persons who work at the school (whether or not for payment) as it appears to the governing body to be appropriate to consult,

(c)parents of registered pupils at the school, and

(d)registered pupils at the school.

(4)In exercising their functions under subsection (2) the governing body must have regard to any guidance given from time to time—

(a)in relation to England, by the Secretary of State, and

(b)in relation to Wales, by the Assembly.

(5)In this section and section 89—

• “relevant school” means—

  (a)

  a community, foundation or voluntary school,

  (b)

  a community or foundation special school,

  (c)

  a maintained nursery school,

  (d)

  a pupil referral unit, or

  (e)

  a school approved by the Secretary of State F1...under section 342 of EA 1996 (approval of non-maintained special schools);

• “governing body”, in relation to a school approved by the Secretary of State F1...under section 342 of EA 1996, means the proprietor of the school.

89Determination by head teacher of behaviour policyE+W

(1)The head teacher of a relevant school must determine measures to be taken with a view to—

(a)promoting, among pupils, self-discipline and proper regard for authority,

(b)encouraging good behaviour and respect for others on the part of pupils and, in particular, preventing all forms of bullying among pupils,

(c)securing that the standard of behaviour of pupils is acceptable,

(d)securing that pupils complete any tasks reasonably assigned to them in connection with their education, and

(e)otherwise regulating the conduct of pupils.

(2)The head teacher [F2of a relevant school in England ] must in determining such measures—

(a)act in accordance with the current statement made by the governing body under section 88(2)(a), and

(b)have regard to any notification or guidance given to him under section 88(2)(b).

[F3(2A)The head teacher of a relevant school in Wales must in determining such measures—

(a)act in accordance with the current statement made by the governing body under section 88(2)(a),

(b)have regard to any notification or guidance given to him under section 88(2)(b), and

(c)require pupils at the school to comply with the travel behaviour code made by the Welsh Ministers under section 12 of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008.]

(3)[F4In relation to a relevant school in England, the] standard of behaviour which is to be regarded as acceptable must be determined by the head teacher, so far as it is not determined by the governing body.

[F5(3A)In relation to a relevant school in Wales, the standard of behaviour which is to be regarded as acceptable must be determined by the head teacher, so far as it is not determined by—

(a)the governing body, or

(b)the Welsh Ministers.]

(4)The measures which the head teacher determines under subsection (1) must include the making of rules and provision for disciplinary penalties (as defined by section 90).

[F6(4A)In relation to a school in England, rules made under subsection (4) must identify the items for which a search may be made.]

(5)The measures which the head teacher [F7of a relevant school in England ] determines under subsection (1) may, to such extent as is reasonable, include measures to be taken with a view to regulating the conduct of pupils at a time when they are not on the premises of the school and are not under the lawful control or charge of a member of the staff of the school.

[F8(5A)The measures which the head teacher of a relevant school in Wales determines under subsection (1) may, to such extent as is reasonable and not required by subsection (2A)(c), include measures to be taken with a view to regulating the conduct of pupils at a time when they are not on the premises of the school and are not under the lawful control or charge of a member of the staff of the school.]

(6)The measures determined by the head teacher under subsection (1) must be publicised by him in the form of a written document as follows—

(a)he must make the measures generally known within the school and to parents of registered pupils at the school, and

(b)he must in particular, at least once in every school year, take steps to bring them to the attention of all such pupils and parents and all persons who work at the school (whether or not for payment).