Drugs Education Policy

 

This policy to be read in conjunction with:
PSHE and Citizenship Policy
Policy for Medicines
Policy for the Management of Critical Incidences
Policy for Positive Behaviour Management
Policy for Health and Safety
Policy for Child Protection
National Healthy School Standard
Drugs Guidance for Schools (DfES/0092/2004) and updates
 
 This policy has been written after collating the results of a whole school survey and with representation of pupils, parents and the Board of Governors. We are working towards the National Healthy Schools Standard and recognise the need for a Drugs Education Programme that involves the development of skills and identified learning outcomes appropriate to pupils’ age ability and level of maturity which was based on pupils’ needs assessment.
The policy applies to all staff, pupils and partners that normally work within the school during the school day. The ‘school’ included organised school trips and visits and extended curriculum.
 
Definition of Drugs – ‘A substance people take to change the way they feel, think or behave.’ (DfES Drugs Guidance for Schools)
This includes;
·         All illegal drugs
·         All legal drugs – including alcohol, tobacco, volatile substances, ketamine, khat and alkyl nitrites.
·         All over the counter and prescription medicines
(For use and procedures on authorised drugs - see Policy on Medicines)
 
Aims & Objectives
  • Aim to clarify the school responsibilities and legal requirements
  • Reinforce and safeguard the health and safety of the school community
  • Support children
  • Provide consistency in the management of any drug incidences
  • Provide a curriculum framework for the delivery of drug education.
  • Needs assessment activities and involvement of pupils in assessing the quality and relevance of drug education was taken prior to teaching.
  • Both parents and pupils were involved in the planning of the programme and policy (see appendix A)
If an incident occurs which is likely to be of interest to the media then procedures as defined in the Policy for Managing Critical Incidences will be followed.
 
Organisation
The current drug education leader is the Headteacher who will provide advice and support to governors and staff as well as take responsibility for policy implementation.
 
Feedback from pupils is taken in a variety of methods including; parents’ feedback, thumbs up surveys, questionnaires, acted out scenarios and informal assessment.
If a child or group of children raises an issue regarding drugs, the class teacher may seek additional support from the school nurse or another health professional. The teaching style that we use encourages children to ask questions, and reflect on the dangers to health of drug misuse. Children are given the opportunity to talk in groups or to the whole class.
The school will liaise with external agencies regarding the school drugs education programme and ensure that all adults who work with children on these issues are aware of the school policy.
Management of Drug related Incidences
Staff will be cautious in discharging a pupil into the care of an adult whom they believe to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. The focus will always be on the child’s welfare and safety.
 
The Role of Parents
The school is well aware that the primary role in children’s drugs education lies with their parents. We aim to build a positive and supporting relationship with the parents of children at our school through mutual understanding, trust and cooperation. We will answer any questions parents may have about the drugs education their child receives in school. A copy of this policy will be posted on the school website.
 
Staffing & Staff Development
All staff, including support staff, need access to professional development and support that related to the drug education curriculum and its style of delivery. A range of provision will be identified that meets staff needs across a range of roles and responsibilities.
 
Curriculum Organisation & Planning
Drug Education will be delivered in this school through a combination of planned curriculum opportunities and whole school approaches. These will take the form of:
 
  • Discrete curriculum time
  • Through cross-curricular opportunities.
  •  Planned within the PSHE and Citizenship curriculum areas and also within our Healthy Schools’ Standard programme e.g. The QCA scheme of work for science includes the element “Keeping Healthy” and suggests specific activities to address drug education
  • Through activities, school events and ethos. Through circle time and work to develop a positive school ethos, through challenging stereo-types and through the support we offer pupils, teachers are able to raise awareness of drug education.
  • Members of the School Council have raised a number of styles of teaching that they would like to see in the teaching of Drugs Education. ( appendix 1)
 
Curriculum Delivery
Teaching about drugs is generally best provided as part of the integrated programme of Personal, Social and Health Education across the key stages. This programme is relevant to the needs and experiences of all pupils, it is flexible and develops as pupils grow older. The programme is developed within a positive climate in which pupils and adults feel able to talk openly and honestly.
 
In order to cover all aspects of drug education effectively, a wide range of teaching and learning styles are used. The school delivers this area of the curriculum through circle time, whole class and group work, mind-mapping, use of drama, stories, videos and current affairs and through inviting visitors into school.
 
Resources
Resources – A range of quality up to date resources is available for teaching drug education and is catalogued and stored along with PSHE resources. E.g. videos, charts, artefacts. Feedback and suitability of resources is monitored via lesson plan feedback and use of current recommendations from LA advisor, advisory bodies and Network learning community schools.
Overall responsibility for drug education resources is held by the co-ordinator.
In addition to existing resources, the school will review and update drug education resources regularly in accordance with budget allocation.
 
External Agencies & Services
The school values and encourages the involvement of external agencies and services in supporting the delivery of this area of the curriculum. Where outside speakers are to be involved, their contribution will be properly planned as part of the overall programme. Their contribution will complement other teaching and be appropriate to the age and maturity of the pupils involved. Class teachers will always be involved so they can deal with questions and concerns. The school has good primary /secondary liaison practices which allow effectiveness and experience to be shared. Current visitors include our school nurse and agencies involved in ‘Keeping ourselves Safe Week’
 
Equality of Opportunity
In accordance with school and LEA policy, a commitment to Equal Opportunities will be built into all aspects of drug education. We recognise that some pupils with learning difficulties may need more help than others in understanding what sorts of behaviour are/are not acceptable. Where pupils are taking prescribed medication they will be helped to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate drugs.
 
 
Assessment, Recording & Reporting
The assessment, recording and reporting of drug education will take place in accordance with school policy. Understanding in drug education will be demonstrated through assessment against learning objectives, which will be built into curriculum planning.
The reporting of individual achievement and progress will include skill development and values and attitudes as well as knowledge and understanding. Progress in these areas will be reported through the annual written reports to parents and through discussion at open evenings.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Review
Provision for drug education, including the personal development of pupils, will be monitored, evaluated and reviewed by staff, pupils and parents. This will be done by monitoring that whole school drug objectives are met and that there are adequate resources.
 
Managing Drug Related Incidents
We understand that drug related incidents in primary schools are rare but recognise the need for clear procedures should an incident occur. We have identified a range of responses, incorporating both sanctions and counselling, which reflect different kinds of drug-related offences.
 
In all cases the Head Teacher should be informed immediately.
If there is any question of a medical emergency the school will immediately call for medical assistance.
 
Pupil Discipline & Support
The Head Teacher will be responsible for deciding how to discipline a pupil following any drug-related incidents and all factors influencing the incident will be taken into account. Our Behaviour Policy has clear sanctions for breaking school rules and a variety of consequences/sanctions are possible. Exclusion will only be appropriate if health and safety of pupils and staff is an issue. All incidents will be recorded.
 
Confiscating an Illegal Drug & its Disposal
School staff will not attempt to analyse or taste an unidentified drug, but will take temporary possession of any drug suspected of being a controlled drug for the purpose of protecting our pupils form harm or committing the offence of possession. If we suspect that a pupil is concealing illegal drugs, we will encourage the pupil to voluntarily surrender the drug. Under no circumstances will any teacher undertake an intimate physical search. If the pupil refuses, the Head Teacher may decide to contact parents and/or the Police Schools Liaison Officer. We will always inform parents if the police are called to an incident. As our primary concern is the welfare of all our pupils, alternative action may be taken. For example, if we feel that parents are directly involved in the situation causing concern or that they may seriously over-react and cause harm to the child, we may have to inform other appropriate agencies.
If the drug cannot be identified it will be treated as illegal and will placed carefully in a sealed container for safe disposal or handed to the police. We will always ensure that a witness is present when disposing of any drug. We will then decide how to proceed with due regard to Child Protection policy issues. We will keep a written record of the action taken when responding to incidents of this nature, irrespective of the seriousness of the case.
 
 
 
The School is currently the holder of The Gold Clean Air Award Standard (November 2005)
 
Smoking Policy
 
This school does not permit smoking anywhere on the school site, including the grounds. Any disregard for school restrictions on smoking will be treated as any other breach of school discipline.
 
 
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