Any views on a school involving the police rather than merely following pupil behaviour and discipline policies in response to pupil misconduct towards staff or other pupils in the classroom?
Gary, Nottingham
A I have experience of teaching children who are regularly involved with the police alongside family members, including parents. As a result, they tend to have a negative view of police interventions. Although I welcome building positive relationships with community police, I strongly believe a consistent approach in applying a comprehensive whole-school behaviour policy is the most effective way of dealing with any issues. It is vital that this policy includes the views of all stakeholders, especially parents and children, as this is the only way to build good relationships and prevent incidents happening in the first place.John, Cumbria A Obviously you can’t call the police out for trivial things. I’m not sure the local armed response vehicle’s occupants would be too impressed to be asked to enforce school rules on litter. But with some other incidents a police presence does send out a message that the matter is being taken extremely seriously.Graham, Crowborough
A I would only involve the police in school if absolutely necessary.
However, teachers put up with a lot. In any other job if staff were being assaulted then nobody would think twice about involving the police.Cindy, Lancashire A I’m not totally convinced that frequent visits by the police to your school will reassure the community. You need to discuss this matter with your local police station. They will have considerable experience - if not from direct contact with your school then with others within their patch.
Kevin, Cheltenham
A Police involvement should always be the last resort, if only because frequent visits by the boys in blue will reduce their impact. My advice is to keep the police in reserve until you really need them. You don’t want to get into a “police - so what?” situationRichard, Selsey
Coming up
Q:Is it right for a headteacher to allow a child who is off school with a sickness bug to come in and take a Year 6 Sats exam paper in his office, with a sick bucket provided?
Q:After two terms of bad behaviour and disrespect from pupils a new teacher is trying to make changes. The pupils are not listening to her or responding to her new strategies. How can she turn the situation around in term three? Or should she leave and find another school?Send your answer or any question you would like answered by your fellow teachers to askateacher@tes.co.uk We pay pound;30 for any question or answer published.
