Welcome to the new school session with many changes on the horizon with the Education Bill and forthcoming changes to National Qualifications. Today we have the launch of relationships and behaviour action plan and mobile guidance.
Relationships and Behaviour Action Plan
The action plan has been developed by the Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools (SAGRABIS). The action plan draws together a wide range of actions which are to be taken in response to the range of evidence on relationships and behaviours in Scotland’s schools. The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (“BISSR”) report 2023 provided a national picture of the experiences of school support and teaching staff, headteachers and education authority staff on relationships and behaviour in Schools. In addition, evidence was gathered from teacher union surveys and individuals through the Relationships and Behaviour in Scottish Schools Summits, these insights have contributed to the actions set out within this plan.
The initial view of the SSTA is to welcome the action plan as an attempt to introduce consistency throughout the education system. The lack of consistency is a major issue held by many teachers in managing pupil behaviour in school. The action plan includes a reference to ‘consequences’ being part of the approach to building professional relationships in classes. This responds to the clear view of teachers in the BISSR research around pupils facing no or few consequences for poor behaviour (Action 2). This is further built upon by seeking to identify supports to address the issue of those pupils who do not respond to either relationship building of the use of consequences (Action 15).
The review of all current processes for recording incidents including violent incidents, is to identify potential means of streamlining processes. This is important as it recognises the need for the recording of serious incidents, including violent incidents, to be improved and for some consistency to be achieved across the country (Action 4). There is clear recognition that under-recording is an issue that needs to be addressed. Good recording of incidents is necessary to ensure that pupil behaviour risk assessments can be completed based on the firm evidence. This seeks to directly address issues of violent behaviour in schools – not just on responding to such incidents, but on using risk assessments (and mitigations they require) to make sure such incidents are less likely to occur (Action 16).
Please follow the link Improving relationships and behaviour in schools: ensuring safe and consistent environments for all Joint action plan 2024 – 2027
Guidance on Mobile Phones in Scotland’s Schools
Mobile phones in schools are a major concern for teachers in disrupting learning and a factor in many instances of poor pupil behaviour. This was highlighted in the SSTA members survey that showed 92% of lessons were being disrupted by pupil mobile phones. This guidance developed with the teacher unions, isempowering schools to take the steps they see fit to limit the use of mobile phones in schools, up to and including a full ban on the school estate during the school day. Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has offered full support to any school who decides to institute a ban on mobile phones in their school.
Please follow the link Guidance on Mobile Phones in Scotland’s Schools
Health and Safety Representative Training
The SSTA is holding a Health and Safety Rep Training day on Friday 13 September at the Stirling Court Hotel. To register for a place at the training day, please complete the registration form on the SSTA website
Please note: All Health and Safety representatives are entitled to paid time off to attend training. It is your employer’s duty to allow it under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977
Yours sincerely
Seamus Searson
General Secretary