Education Secretary challenged on Pupil Behaviour Strategies

By Bill Heaney

What action is the SNP government going to take in response to the call from teachers’ unions to tackle dangerous and disruptive behaviour in classrooms, including consequences for pupils?

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth told Tory MSP Stephen Kerr that she wished to make it clear that the existing policy framework, including the national policy on exclusion, does not prevent the use of consequences.

She told the Scottish Parliament: “However, I have been listening carefully to the concerns of the teaching profession, and to members on all sides of the chamber, on the need for further clarification and support on this issue.

“In the coming weeks, we will publish a comprehensive national action plan to respond to evidence from our behaviour in Scottish schools research and last year’s relationships and behaviour summits.

“That plan will be jointly owned with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and has been developed in collaboration with the Scottish advisory group for relationships and behaviour in schools.

“The NASUWT has provided valuable input on the development of the plan.”

But Stephen Kerr, right, told her: “The cabinet secretary knows that teachers just want to be safe at work. Yesterday, a teacher told me: ‘Nothing’s been done, nothing is changing. There are no sanctions. Nobody seems to care’.

“Mike Corbett of the NASUWT in Scotland said: ‘The Cabinet Secretary cannot claim to be in any doubt about what is needed to help address this problem. She needs to show real leadership by putting in place national guidelines that make it clear to schools what is expected of them and which uphold teachers’ right to work in safety. Will she do so?'”

Jenny Gilruth replied: “I met Mike Corbett on Tuesday this week; we engage regularly on issues in relation to behaviour and relationships.

“When he previously held the post of education spokesperson for his party, it was his debate that necessitated some of the action that the Government has taken on this very issue, and I recognise his on-going interest to that end.

“Since June last year, a range of different actions have been taken. I established a headteachers task force, which met again yesterday to discuss behaviour. We have chaired a number of behaviour summits to discuss a range of issues on relationships and behaviour.

“In November, I set out a five-step action plan confirming funding for support staff and—to go back to the member’s point—providing clarity at national level on advice and guidance to schools in relation to consequences.

“That work is hugely important, but it has to be jointly owned with COSLA, which is why the action plan and the steps that the Government is going to take will be published in the coming weeks.”

Top of page picture is of Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.