Investigation into discipline in schools

Feb 27 2009 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

Does discipline have to mean punishment, or are schools learning more clever ways to get results from their pupils? Nicola Juncar investigates.

IN recent years many teachers, politicians and even parents have expressed their concerns about a rise in unruly behaviour in the classroom.

Whether there is a correlation or not, many argue pupils’ behaviour has become worse since corporal punishment was banned in state schools in the late 1980s.

But have our schools become too lenient, or are teachers hitting on new ways to raise achievement and tackle trouble-causing pupils?

A report out this week from Government inspectors, Ofsted, revealed some schools in poor communities are excelling against the odds due to tougher discipline regimes.

Stricter rules on uniforms, banning pupils for having radical hairstyles and involving parents more are some of the methods the report says are working.

Ofsted specifically looked at a dozen schools across the country – including Harton Technology College, in South Shields.

Called Twelve Outstanding Secondary Schools, the report showcased schools in disadvantaged communities that have received the highest grade – outstanding – for their most recent Ofsted inspection.

Harton Technology College has received an outstanding grade for its last two inspections. Headteacher Ken Gibson said: “I am delighted the hard work of the pupils, staff, parents and governors has been recognised by Ofsted. This accolade could not have been achieved without a fantastic staff team, wonderful students and very supportive parents and governors.”

However, it’s not just Harton Technology College that has its sights on improving performance and behaviour.

In the last 12 months alone a number of our schools, in disadvantaged areas, have toughened up and adopted a “no tolerance” view to bad behaviour.

Within the first week of the school year, Academy 360, which was created by the merger of Sunderland’s Pennywell Secondary and Quarry View Primary, excluded 40 pupils.

With overwhelming support from parents, the staff introduced a stricter approach to enforcing regulations, such as banning students from leaving the premises at break-times and making sure they were wearing the correct uniform.

The academy stores spare uniforms in every size to lend to pupils who do not come properly dressed for lessons.

Lunch breaks have also been cut to 30 minutes and students caught smoking also face automatic exclusion. In addition, teachers have been instructed not to shout or become confrontational with students who disrupt classes.

Instead, they record the names of any pupil breaking regulations so that they can be dealt with outside the classroom.

Paul Prest, chief executive of the academy in Pennywell, said that he and his staff “were committed to providing all of its students with the best possible education”. He said: “To secure that, it is vital that we set and achieve the highest standards – in work, behaviour and discipline – and we can not tolerate any attempt to subvert those standards.”

“We are sure this is the right approach and believe that, working with students and parents, we can create an environment in which all young people realise their potential and succeed.”