PRIORY SCHOOL POLICY ON DRUG EDUCATION AND DRUG RELATED ISSUES
Introduction
The context of the policy and its relationship to other policies
This policy should be considered in conjunction with other written policies on Engagement, health and safety, medicine, school visits and child protection.
Local and National Guidance
This policy has been written, taking into account national and local guidance, in particular, guidance from the DFES ref: 0092/2004.
The purpose of the school drug policy is to:
- clarify the legal requirements and responsibilities of the school
- reinforce and safeguard the health and safety of students and others who use the school
- clarify the school’s approach to drugs for all staff, students, governors, parents/carers, external agencies and the wider community
- give guidance on developing, implementing and monitoring the drug education programme
- enable staff to manage drugs on school premises, and any incidents that occur, with confidence and consistency, and in the best interests of those involved
- ensure that the response to incidents involving drugs complements the overall approach to drug education and the values and ethos of the school
- provide a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of the school drug education programme and the management of incidents involving illegal and other unauthorised drugs
- reinforce the role of the school in contributing to local and national strategies.
Where and to whom the policy applies
This policy applies to all staff, students, parents/carers, governors and partner agencies working in PriorySchool. It includes journeys to and from school in school uniform, work experience, residential trips and college courses. Students must not bring controlled drugs, cigarettes or alcohol onto the school site at any time. Alcohol may only be brought onto the school site with the Headteachers permission.
The definition of a drug given by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is:
A substance people take to change the way they feel, think or behave.
The term ‘drugs’ and ‘drug education’, unless otherwise stated, is used throughout this document to refer to all drugs:
- all illegal drugs (those controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971)
- all legal drugs, including alcohol, tobacco, volatile substances (those giving off a gas or vapour which can be inhaled), ketamine, and alkyl nitrites (known as poppers)
- all over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
The school’s stance towards drugs, health and the needs of students
Priory School has a zero tolerance policy towards the possession, use or supply of illegal and other unauthorized drugs within the school boundaries and to and from school.
Aims of Drug Education in Priory School
- To provide accurate and balanced drug information which includes the effects of involvement in drug misuse.
- To enable students to make healthy, informed choices by increasing knowledge and challenging attitudes about drugs.
- To enable students to develop decision making and assertiveness skills in relation to drugs and to access appropriate support.
Achieving these Aims
All students undertake a comprehensive, developmental drugs education programme. This will be delivered through Personal and Social Education (PSE), Religious Education (RE), Citizenship and Science with support from other areas of the curriculum.
The informal curriculum, including the use of independent information sources through the library and the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), will provide further opportunities for fulfilling the aims.
Managing Drug-Related Incidents in School
The school has standard procedures so that incidents of drug misuse are dealt with consistently and effectively.
The school attaches great importance to working in partnership with parents in order to protect the welfare of students.
The school co-operates with outside agencies in order to deliver its commitment to the health and safety of its members.
Sanctions and Support
The school is committed to tackling illegal drug use among young people. Misuse, possession or supply of illegal drugs will be treated as a very serious incident leading to fixed term or permanent exclusions in some cases.
Students who share their illegal drugs with others, whilst ‘in school’ will receive lengthy fixed term exclusions. Students involved in a second illegal drugs incident (possession, use or supply), whilst ‘in school’ and after receiving support, will be permanently excluded. Students who sell illegal drugs or exchange illegal drugs for goods or favours whilst ‘in school’ will be permanently excluded.
Parents will be informed and supported if their child is implicated in a drug-related incident.
Students excluded for a fixed term will be set appropriate work whilst excluded and will be required to complete a contract of behaviour on their return to school. Students who in any way bring drug culture to school will receive appropriate support and counselling and parents will be informed.
If a student is found in possession of an illegal substance, the police will be contacted immediately and the Headteacher will inform parents of the action taken.
Students who bring alcohol onto the site or who are under the influence of alcohol will be removed from lessons and parents will be informed immediately and appropriate sanctions will be applied.
The school has other procedures in place for dealing with students involved in smoking incidents.
Confidentiality
Complete confidentiality for a student who may have a problem with drugs or who seeks help and advice cannot be guaranteed.
The student should always be told what information is going to be passed on and to whom.
Teachers are obliged to inform immediately the Progress Leader or Assistant Head teacher Wellbeing,if drug misuse is suspected.
Students should be made aware that appropriate outside agencies e.g. the police may also need to be informed.
Additional Guidelines for Teachers of PSCHE:
Before discussing drugs, talk with the group about ground rules covering issues on disclosure and confidentiality.
Point out that the school does not condone the misuse ofdrugs by any member of the school community and iscommitted to the health and safety of all who use the site.
Further ground rules:
- No-student is expected to talk about their own drug use unless they choose to.
- People speak for themselves rather than about other people.
- Application of the above ground rules should go a long way to promoting enjoyable, useful and successful drug education lessons.
Review and Evaluation
The Policy on Drug Education and Drug Related Issues will be reviewed and evaluated every three years.
This process will involve monitoring the total number of drug-related incidents and assessing, from staff and others, the school’s implementation of the policy, both generally and its application to specific cases.
The representatives of the subject areas involved in the delivery of the drug education programme through the curriculum will be asked to provide up to date information periodically in order to review the curriculum map.
Conclusion
Drug Education is an entitlement for all students at Priory School. The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of all involved in the use of the school site.
Date of last review June 2015