Drug Education Policy
Working together to recognise the value and realise the potential of each student
The Angmering School is committed to ensuring a safe, secure learning environment for all students. The misuse of drugs poses a threat to our students' health, general welfare and ability to achieve their full academic and social potential.
The term 'drugs' encompasses all illegal and legal drugs, including tobacco, alcohol, solvents and medicines. Tobacco smoking and drinking of alcohol is not allowed on the school site except for adult social events outside school hours. The policy extends to our school boundaries, to and from school and on school trips.
All staff have a role in responding to drug related incidents and relevant training is given. They work within the school's guidelines and do not promise confidentiality to a student. Reference to the Headship Team is made as soon as possible.
Parents' support for our policy is sought from our induction process onwards. Clear boundaries are made known to students and parents and are acted on consistently
Parents are immediately informed of any drug related incidents involving their child, unless there is a Child Protection issue in which case the Child Protection Officer's advice is sought. They are also informed if information is given to a teacher even if no evidence is produced. Parent meetings with the Drug and Alcohol Action Team are arranged where necessary.
A high quality, wide ranging programme to educate the students regarding drug misuse is delivered through our Personal, Social and Health Education programme, building on their knowledge from KS2 and primary school input, continuing in various forms, through a range of subjects, from Years 7 to 13. The aim of this drug education programme is to provide opportunities for students to develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes and understanding about drugs and appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, to experience and appreciate their own and others? actions, with a specific focus in sports and youth-related activities.
Procedures
Drug Related Incidents: Action
Drug related incidents include:-
- Possession of a harmful substance for a student's own use.
- Possession with intent to supply harmful substances within school boundaries, on school trips and on the way to or from school.
- Discovery of drugs or paraphernalia within school boundaries, on school trips and on the way to or from school.
- Intoxication of a student.
- Disclosure of drug misuse by a student.
- A parent/carer or staff member thought to be under the influence of drugs within school boundaries, on school trips and on the way to or from school.
Taking Action With Drug Related Incidents:
After immediate medical needs have been addressed, the nature and circumstances of the incident are established.
Outside agencies may be involved where a child is using drugs to cope with personal anxiety or problems.
Assessment is always carried out systematically and a range of responses implemented. The responses depend on a variety of factors as above but will also take into account safety of other students in the school as well as the vulnerability of a child who is, or may be, permanently excluded.
Factors affecting assessment of drug-related incidents include:-
- Rumour versus definite evidence
- Unintoxicated versus intoxicated
- Pleasure-seeking versus personal trauma
- No immediate danger versus medical emergency
- Careful low-risk use versus reckless as to safety
- Ignorant of rules versus understood rules
- Uncontrolled drug versus Class A illegal drug
- Possession of a small quantity versus persistent supply
- Admission versus denial
- First offence versus persistent offender
The range of responses used include:
- Referral to parents
- Referral to outside agencies including the Police Schools Intervention Officer or the police
- Pastoral Support Action Plans
- Pastoral Support Plans
- Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) involving the police
- In-school counselling
- Specialist consultation groups such as Drug and Alcohol Action Team
- Inter-agency education programmes
- Sanctions include combinations of:-
Confiscation of drug related items
Loss of breaktimes and lunchtimes for a period of time
Afterschool detentions
Interviews with parents and Police School Intervention Officer
Occasional random searches agreed with parents
Internal exclusions
Fixed term exclusion
Permanent exclusion
Implementation of the Policy:
Key Personnel:
Governors:
- Approve and monitor the Policy
- Consider exclusions through the Discipline Committee.
The Headship Team :
- Monitors the implementation of the Drug Education Policy
- Supports and advises on drug related incidents
? Makes decisions on outcomes
The Deputy Headteacher and Assistant Headteacher ensure that:
- Specific guidelines for dealing with drug-related incidents are adhered to
- Accurate and detailed records are kept of any drug-related incidents
- The relevant outside agencies are contacted where applicable
- Full consultation takes place before sanctions are applied
Team Leaders ensure that:
- The issue of drug misuse is addressed in assemblies or lessons as appropriate and students are fully aware of the policy and consequences
- The Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship programme is regularly adapted to incorporate relevant drug education
- Their team of tutors or teachers adhere to the specific guidelines on dealing with drug-related incidents
- Any drug-related incidents are referred to the Headship Team
Tutors ensure that:
- They foster an environment which encourages students to develop the confidence to disclose any drug-related incidents.
- Their students are aware of the appropriate times and adults to whom they can disclose drug-related incidents. They build relationships of trust with students and cultivate an openness which enables them to seek them out, at appropriate times, if they wish to make a disclosure.
- They are aware of any changes in behaviour of their students which could indicate drug misuse
- They have a sound knowledge of their students in order to provide information when sanctions need to be applied
- They deliver the Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship programme and have the knowledge and understanding or seek the necessary advice to do so
All staff ensure that:
- They are aware of the Drugs Education Policy and how to deal with any drug related incidents
- They monitor the behaviour of students and report any changes immediately through the agreed channels
- They deliver aspects of the education, when appropriate, in harmony with the
Policy
The First Aid Co-ordinator ensures that:
- Medicines required for consumption during the school day are stored securely
- Medicines are administered in accordance with the instructions given
- Suspected drug-related conditions are reported to the Headship Team
- Immediate medical attention required as a result of drug-related incidents is given
Links with other Policies:
- Anti-Bullying
- Assembly and Collective Acts of Worship
- Behaviour
- Child Protection
- Equality in Diversity
- Equal Opportunities
- Exclusions
Success Criteria:
- Evidence of appropriate action in reported incidents
- Action taken results in a low level of drug-related incidents reported with no evidence of underlying, unresolved problems
- Reduction in the number of students who smoke as indicated by letters sent home
- Positive feedback from students regarding drug education
- Parental satisfaction in respect of support and follow-up provided
Reviewed: May 2004
Next review date: May 2007
This policy has been written in accordance with the new DfES Guidance 'Drugs: Guidance for schools' Ref DfES/0092/2004.
Advice has also been sought from Darren Kirkham , Drug Education Co-ordinator, Healthy School Team, James Sharpe, Parent Co-ordinator at the Drug & Alcohol Action Team and the Police School Intervention Officer