Disciplinary Policy and Procedure in Schools

A disciplinary policy and a disciplinary procedure serve different purposes within school settings. Whilst the policy explains the school’s approach to behaviour, its values and its culture, the procedure sets out the steps staff must follow when dealing with serious behaviour incidents. In this article, we’ll help school leaders and staff understand how to build fair, positive and supportive approaches to behaviour, while still responding properly to challenging situations.

---

What are Disciplinary Policies in Schools?

A disciplinary policy sets the intentions of the school and outlines how the school expects students and staff to behave. It explains the school’s values and how these values guide decisions about behaviour.

Some school disciplinary policies follow a punitive model, where the focus is mainly on what rules have been broken and what the punishment should be. Others use a restorative or more supportive approach, which encourages students to understand the impact of their actions, repair harm and learn from mistakes. This is also known as positive reinforcement.

A strong disciplinary policy must also protect vulnerable students and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It should make clear how the school supports these students, takes their needs into account and ensures that disciplinary actions are fair and reasonable.

---

The Formal Disciplinary Process and Procedure

When a serious behaviour incident occurs, schools must follow a clear and fair disciplinary procedure. This protects students, keeps parents informed and makes sure all decisions are based on evidence.

Throughout the disciplinary process it’s vital that schools take into account the needs of students with SEND. This may involve reasonable adjustments or additional support to ensure that the process is fair and accessible to every student.

All formal disciplinary procedures include the following four steps:

1. The investigation – staff gather information, speak to everyone involved and record the evidence. The process should be calm, thorough and unbiased.
2. The hearing – once the facts are clear, the school holds a hearing. Students and parents should receive written information about the concerns and the evidence, and they must be given the chance to share their views.
3. The outcome – the school decides the appropriate response to the situation, making sure the outcome is fair and proportionate. The decision should be explained to the student and their parents in a clear and supportive way.
4. The right to appeal – students and parents must be able to appeal the decision. The appeal should be reviewed by someone who was not involved in the original hearing.

These steps are core to any type of disciplinary procedure, whether it’s for adults in the workplace or for children and young people in education. The key is to adapt the steps so they are appropriate and proportionate for your school setting.

---

10 Ways to Improve Discipline in School

School staff can promote good behaviour in many practical ways, helping to create a calm and positive learning environment for students and adults alike. The aim is for teachers to be reasonable, clear and forward-thinking, not judgmental, negative or punitive.

Here are 10 ways to improve discipline in school:

1. Establish clear and simple routines that students can follow easily throughout the school day.
2. Use positive reinforcement to highlight and reward good behaviour.
3. Tackle low-level behaviour early and consistently to prevent it from escalating.
4. Train staff in de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution to help them manage difficult situations calmly.
5. Encourage teachers to build strong relationships with students to understand their individual needs.
6. Agree behaviour expectations with students so everyone understands what is required.
7. Involve parents early when behaviour concerns begin to develop.
8. Provide support and reasonable adjustments for students with SEND or emotional needs.
9. Review behaviour data regularly to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
10. Celebrate progress and positive behaviour so students feel recognised for their efforts.

---

A strong approach to discipline at school is not just about rules and punishments. Restorative practices where students feel respected, understood and supported create a positive learning environment where children behave well. Positive disciplinary procedures in schools help to support better outcomes for both staff and students.

---

Further Resources:

• CPD Courses for Teaching and Education
• Creating a School Behaviour Management Policy
• How to Deal with Challenging Behaviour in the Classroom
• How to Create a Behaviour Support Plan: Free Template
• How to Set Behaviour Expectations in the Classroom
• Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom
• How to Create a Positive Learning Environment