This overview article identifies the key issues relating to behaviour and discipline.  More detailed information is available by following the links to the resources mentioned or by reviewing articles on the related topics outlined below.

Responsibilities
Every school needs a clear policy on the standards of behaviour that are expected of pupils, how to improve these standards and how to tackle unacceptable behaviour.  The school's policy should take account of emotional and behavioural difficulties which may be part of pupils' responses to their special educational needs.

Under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, the headteacher is responsible for taking measures to secure good behaviour in line with a written statement of general principles prepared by the governing body.  The governing body also have the right to provide specific guidance to the headteacher on particular disciplinary matters and the headteacher must take this guidance into account.  However, the headteacher is responsible for putting all general principals into practice, and for dealing with individual cases.

The governing body and headteacher will have their own views about punishment for unacceptable behaviour.  The law forbids the use of corporal punishment.  It also lays down certain procedures for the headteacher, the governing body and the LA where a pupil has been permanently excluded from the school.

In exceptional circumstances, the LA has the power to intervene in running a school to prevent or put right a breakdown of discipline.

Guidance
Chapter 12 of the Guide to the Law for School Governors provides  guidance on the subject of behaviour and discipline.

The DfES Improving Behaviour in Schools website contains extensive guidance on creating a whole-school policy on behaviour as well as guidance on the use of Detention as a form of punishment.  Follow the weblink below to visit the DfES site and click on Departmental Publications to review the guidance.

Good Practice
The DfES Improving Behaviour in Schools website contains some examples of case studies relating to peer support schemes and their impact on bullying.

The Practitioners' Group on School Behaviour and Discipline was established by Ministers in May 2005 to give independent advice to the Government as to how behaviour in schools could be improved. The Group published a report, Learning behaviour in October 2005.

The DfES have also created the Behaviour Improvement Programme that aims to focus a series of measures based around the use of behaviour specialists in schools.  For more information see the BIP Website or the GovernorNet article on BIP (links below).

The Law
The School Standards and Framwork Act 1998: Section 61 (amended) is the principal legislation.  In addition, the Education Act 2002 and its Regulations (e.g. the Education (Pupil Exclusions and Appeals (Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2002, SI 2002/3178) are relevant to exclusions.

The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 Chapter 38 - Part 3: Parental Responsibilities introduced parenting contracts, parenting orders and penalty notices following truancy or exclusion.  These came into force in February 2004.

Related Topics
Follow the links in Background below for information on the following topics related to Behaviour & Discipline:

• Attendance
• Bullying
• Pupil Exclusion