Ballapousta National School

Ballapousta National School Code of Discipline
[A full copy of the school's code of discipline is available from the Principal on request]

Introduction:

The Code of Discipline of Ballapousta National School is based on the premise that all children are good. As a school community and as a teaching staff we believe that this ideal underpins our attitudes and our approach to discipline at all levels in our school. We try to the best of our ability to encourage and promote positive and acceptable forms of behaviour each day in the class, in all school activities and around the school.

This policy was devised after long discussion in the school over a long period of time. The purpose of this document is:

To promote positive behaviour and to allow the school to function in an orderly and harmonious way. To enhance the learning environment where children can make progress in all aspects of their development.

It was decided to review the policy at a staff planning day on December 8th, 2006. The area of discipline was prioritised by staff, not as a result of difficulties with discipline in the school, but, in an effort to reinforce an already good system which operates with an exceptionally high level of success each day. This policy was devised with regard to the Mission Statement of Ballapousta National School, its philosophy and ethos, as defined in the Plean Scoile.

It has been approved by the Board of Management of the school. It follows recommendations from the DES, CPSMA, INTO and follows best practise in school discipline from Ireland and abroad as is required by DES Circular 20/90 on School Discipline.

Under the terms of Circular 20/90 boards of management and principal teachers are requested to draw up a 'Code of Behaviour and Discipline' for schools in accordance with guidelines which were enclosed with the Circular.

This circular also states that where a board of management employs detention as part of its Code of Behaviour and Discipline, arrangements should be made to have the pupil(s) concerned properly supervised during the period of detention. Advice received by the Minister indicates that, if it is proposed to detain a pupil after school hours, the parents or guardians, concerned should be notified of this in advance.
Children are entitled to an education free from frequent disruptions in a safe, secure environment. In order to protect the rights of children, teachers and others who work in schools, the principal teacher and the teaching staff should draw up a Code of Discipline in consultation with parents which should be submitted for approval to the board. Once agreed by the board the Code of Behaviour and Discipline should be circulated to parents.

The Education Act 1988 states:
15 (2) A board shall perform the functions conferred on it and on a school by this Act and in carrying out its functions the board shall:
(d) Publish, in such manner as the board with the agreement of the patron considers appropriate, the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school, including the policy of the school relating to the expulsion and suspension of students.

The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 states:
23. (1) The board of management of a recognised school shall, after consultation with the principal of, the teachers teaching at, the parents of students registered at, and the educational welfare officer assigned functions in relation to, that school, prepare, in accordance with subsection (2), a code of behaviour in respect of the students registered at the school (hereafter in this section referred to as a "code of behaviour").

(2) A code of behaviour shall specify -
" the standards of behaviour that shall be observed by each student attending the school;
" the measures that may be taken when a student fails or refuses to observe those standards;
" the procedures to be followed before a student may be suspended or expelled from the school concerned;
" the grounds for removing a suspension imposed in relation to a student; and
" The procedures to be followed relating to notification of a child's absence from school.

(3) A code of behaviour shall be prepared in accordance with such guidelines as may, following consultation by the board with national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, be issued by the board.

(4) The principal of a recognised school shall, before registering a child as a student at that school in accordance with section 20, provide the parents of such child with a copy of the code of behaviour in respect of the school and may, as a condition of so registering such child, require his or her parents to confirm in writing that the code of behaviour so provided is acceptable to them and that they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the child.

(5) The principal of a recognised school shall, on a request being made by a student registered at the school or a parent of such a student, provide the student or parent, as the case may be, with a copy of the code of behaviour in respect of the school concerned.

24. (1) Where the board of management of a recognised school or a person acting on its behalf is of the opinion that a student should be expelled from that school it shall, before so expelling the student, notify the educational welfare officer to whom functions under this Act have been assigned, in writing, of its opinion and the reasons therefore.

(2) The educational welfare officer concerned shall, as soon as may be after receiving a notification under subsection (1), make all reasonable efforts to ensure that provision is made for the continued education of the student to whom the notification relates.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the educational welfare officer concerned shall, as soon as may be after receiving the said notification: " make all reasonable efforts to consult with the principal of the school concerned or a person nominated by him or her, the student concerned and his or her parents, and such other persons as the educational welfare officer considers appropriate, and " Convene a meeting attended by him or her of such of those persons as agree to attend such meeting.

(4) A student shall not be expelled from a school before the passing of 20 school days following the receipt of a notification under this section by an educational welfare officer.

(5) Subsection (4) is without prejudice to the right of a board of management to take such other reasonable measures as it considers appropriate to ensure that good order and discipline are maintained in the school concerned and that the safety of students is secured.

Aims:
" The code of discipline is designed to allow the school to function in an orderly and harmonious way
" To enhance the learning environment where children can make progress in all aspects of their development.
" To create an atmosphere of respect, tolerance and consideration for others.
" To promote positive behaviour and self-discipline, recognising the differences between children and the need to accommodate these differences.
" To ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the school community.
" To assist parents and pupils in understanding the systems and procedures that form part of the code of discipline and to seek their co-operation in the application of these procedures.
" To ensure that the system of rules, and sanctions are implemented in a fair and consistent manner.
" To ensure that all teachers have their right to teach respected and not to interfered with because of the unruly and unacceptable behaviour of a pupil or group of pupils.
" To safeguard the right of all children to receive an appropriate education, free from interference by the unruly and unacceptable behaviour of other children.