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Drugs Policy

Rationale

Bishop Barrington will play its part in helping pupils meet the opportunities and challenges of childhood, adolescence and adult life. Health Education will include Drug Education.

We believe we have a duty to educate our students on the harms and consequences of drug use and abuse. We will take a pro-active stance on this as it is a concern at local and national level.

As a school, we believe it to be important to recognise that, though statistics on the issue are of concern, many pupils choose not to use or abuse substances.

The school practices the principle of sharing responsibility for the education of its students with parents. This is realised by involving and informing parents wherever it is possible.

Effective communication and co-operation is fundamental to successful implementation of this policy.

Aim

To clarify the school's attitude to, and procedures for, dealing with the use of drugs by members of the school community.

Objectives

The school will focus on three principles in teaching:

To give pupils the facts
To emphasise the benefits of a healthy lifestyle
To give young people the knowledge and skills to make informed and responsible decisions in life

We intend to try to reduce the use of drugs by:

Clarifying sanctions
Stressing the need to inform and educate
Setting high standards and expectations by staff

The Roles of the Headteacher and Governing Body

The Headteacher takes overall responsibility for the policy and its implementation, for liaison with Educational Climate, PSHE co-ordinator, Governing Body, parents, LEA and appropriate agencies. The Headteacher will ensure that all staff dealing with substance use and abuse issues are adequately supported and trained.

Sanctions

Permanent Exclusion will, in all but the most exceptional circumstances, be the result of:

The buying, selling, offering, using or possession of drugs at school, on the way to, or from school or any function, trip or holiday organised by the school

The above corresponds closely to the steps likely to be taken by the vast majority of employers.

The Headteacher has a duty in law to inform the police of any offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The Governers would encourage the Headteacher to seek advice from the police where there is a suspicion of substance abuse.

Staff

The school will follow the Education Authority's Policy on Drug and Alcohol Misuse as part of its Health and Safety Policy.

The LEA should be informed as soon as possible.

The LEA's Adviser for Drug Education should be informed as soon as possible.

The Headteacher should take responsibility for liaison with the media. The school will take appropriate advice and guidance from the LEA Press Office and Legal Departments to ensure that any reporting of incidents remains in the best interest of all parties concerned.

The Governors are determined to do all they can to provide a safe environment for the members of the school.

Drug Education in the National Curriculum

The school, through the taught curriculum, the informal curriculum and through opportunities for extra-curricular activities will try to achieve the following aims:

To enable students to make healthy, informed choices by increasing knowledge, challenging attitudes and developing skills
To provide accurate information about substances
To increase understanding about the implications and possible consequences of drug use and misuse
To widen understanding about related health and social issues
To enable students to identify sources of appropriate personal support

The taught curriculum is mainly through Lifelong Learning (PHSE), Science and Religious Education. Reinforcement can occur in other teaching areas e.g. Expressive Arts.

The school actively co-operates with other agencies to deliver its commitment on Drugs Education and to deal with incidents of substance use and misuse.

Drugs Education appears in the National Curriculum in Science and Health Education.

At KS3: 11 - 14 year olds should:
- Learn the effects of solvents, tobacco and other drugs on body functions
At KS4: 14 - 16 year olds should:
- Explore historical, cultural, political and economic factors relating to the production, distribution and use of drugs worldwide
- Understand that Britain is a drug using society and recognise the different patterns of use and their effects
- Recognise that individuals are responsible for choices they make about drug use
- Be able to analyse safe levels of intake (prescription, "over-the-counter" drugs and possibly alcohol)
- Discuss the role of the media in influencing attitudes
- Be able to communicate effectively and confidently with those who administer medication

School Policy on Substance Misuse

Alcohol

Alcohol is easily accessible and socially acceptable in most cultural groups. It is associated with risk - taking behaviour and most young people have an awareness of alcohol and drinking behaviour.

It is a significant factor in deaths of young people and youth binge drinking is a nationwide concern.

Information about alcohol is offered as part of an ongoing spiral curriculum in health and citizenship.

If pupils are found with alcohol in school, this will be confiscated and parents/guardians informed.

Pupils misusing alcohol in school, coming into school under the influence of alcohol or bringing alcohol into school to give or sell to other pupils are likely to receive a fixed term exclusion. Any arising anti-social behaviour may lead to permanent exclusion.

Pupils who we believe to be at risk from alcohol abuse will normally receive guidance, parents will be informed and a referral made to an appropriate agency. (GP, nurse or social services)

Under the Licensing Act 1964, it is an offence to sell alcohol without a licence. This prevents the sale of alcohol at school events unless an occasional licence has been obtained.

It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 years.

No licence is needed to offer alcohol at school events or to store alcohol on the school premises.

Smoking

Smoking accounts for 90,000 deaths a year in England. It is the largest preventable cause of death and recent surveys shows it is on the increase among young people
A voluntary code exists to prevent tobacco advertising in the vicinity of schools

It is school policy that in order to provide a healthy environment and to reduce peer pressure, pupils are not permitted to smoke on school site or on school trips.

If pupils do smoke, they will be warned about the health risk to themselves and others and parents will be contacted. Cigarettes, lighters and matches will be confiscated.

A range of steps may be taken including detention, isolation or fixed term exclusion. Pupils may also be referred to the School Nurse, GP or other agencies for help.

Volatile Substance Abuse

The most common are glue or solvent sniffing, which carry a high risk of sudden death. They are often a gateway to illegal drug misuse. The possession of volatile substances is not illegal; it is an offence to supply to a person under 18.

As part of Health and Safety measures, the school will take the steps to control the movement and safe storage of volatile substances on school premises.

Pupils caught with volatile substances on site will have them confiscated, parents contacted and may be referred to other agencies for help. A range of other measures may be taken, including exclusion.

Concern that pupils may be misusing volatile substances outside of school will trigger parental contact and referral to other agencies for help.

Dissemination of the Policy

A summary of this Policy will be available in the school prospectus. The full policy will be available, on request, to parents, the LEA and OfSTED, through the Headteacher.

Delivery of Drug Awareness is not the sole responsibility of schools. Parents, health professionals, youth workers, Educational Welfare and media all play a part.

The Policy will be reviewed annually by the Headteacher, Head of Climate and the named governor.