SUMMARY
This chapter offers advice and guidance for Boards of Management and Principals on the implementation of their primary responsibility to provide for the proper education and welfare of their students.
Principal Themes
7.1. Enrolment of students
Formulation of Admissions Policy, Maintenance of the School Register, Records of attendance
Documentation
ACCS Guidelines for the Development of a School Admissions Policy
NEWB Guidelines for Reporting Student Absences and Expulsions
ACCS Guidelines on School Pupil Attendance Policy
Repeat of a school year DES Circular Letter 02/95
7.2. Codes of Behaviour
The Board of Management is obliged to draw up a school Code of Behaviour in accordance with guidelines laid down by the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB).
The Code of Behaviour should take account of the ethos and the environment of the school, should encompass rules, sanctions, rewards, incentives and procedures and, having been approved by the Board of Management, should be submitted to the Trustees for ratification. It must be available in the school for inspection by Inspectors of the Department of Education and Skills, and a copy must be forwarded to the Department if requested.
Documentation
NEWB Guidelines on the Development of a School Code of Behaviour
ACCS guide on the Implementation of NEWB guidelines for the Development of a School Code of Behaviour
7.3. School Rules, Rewards and Sanctions
Sanctions including Suspension and Expulsion
The Code of Behaviour must include a statement of rules to be observed by students and approved rewards and sanctions which may be used to support these rules. This must include a formal policy statement on Suspension and Expulsion.
Documentation
ACCS Guidelines on the Formulation of a Suspension and Expulsion Policy
7.4. Bullying and Harassment
Each school should have a code of practice for dealing with incidents or complaints of bullying and harassment, especially sexual harassment, involving students.
Documentation:
ACCS Guidelines on the Formulation of a School Policy to Counter Bullying Behaviour
7.5. Supervision
All schools have a duty of care for their pupils as would be provided by a prudent parent. This duty of care must be exercised by all members of staff in the supervision of student activities both formal and informal. All staff, both teaching and non-teaching must be made aware of their duty of supervision In the Classroom, during break-time, outside of school.
Documentation
7.6. Out of school activities
Out of school activities include games, cultural activities, field trips and educational tours (domestic and overseas). Schools are advised to develop a policy statement governing the approval and the organisation of such activities.
Documentation
ACCS Policy Guidelines for the conduct of School Tours
7.7. Work Experience
Work experience has become an essential element of several courses, notably LCVP, TYP, LCA and PLC.
The various versions of work experience raise a considerable range of issues for a Board of Management and requires that proper policies are in place for the guidance of those responsible.
7.8. Critical Incidents
Schools need to have procedures in place to deal with unanticipated illnesses or accidents involving pupils. Equally serious events may occur which impinge on the staff or student body, the effects of which are outside the scope of the normal school psychological and pastoral/social care system.
Each school should have in place an action plan to be implemented immediately such a critical event occurs or is brought to the attention of the school authority.
Documentation
ACCS Policy Guidelines on Crisis (critical incident) Management in Schools
7.9. Liability for Personal Property
School management should exercise due care for the property of students while under their care. While not necessarily being legally responsible for such property provision should be made for its appropriate use and secure storage.
7.10 Provision of Information to Students, Parents and Teachers
The Education Act, 1998 requires a Board of Management to establish and maintain procedures for the purposes of informing Parents, Students and Teachers students of the activities of the school and of its policies, rules and procedures. Boards of Management are further required to encourage the establishment by students of a Student Council, to facilitate students who wish to establish such a Council and to give all reasonable assistance to the Council when it is established.
Documentation
DES publication Student Councils – A Voice for Students