Behaviour Policy

Challenges with Behaviour Policies

Overview

All schools across the UK are expected to have a behaviour policy that outlines how they promote positive behaviour, prevent bullying, and respond to behavioural incidents. While schools have the autonomy to set behavioural expectations, their policies must be fair, inclusive, and free from any form of direct or indirect discrimination.

Behaviour policies must actively foster an environment where all pupils feel safe, supported, and valued. This includes ensuring that policies are inclusive of pupils from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, and do not disadvantage any group of learners.

Schools also have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and to regularly review and adapt policies to prevent adverse or disproportionate impacts on any pupil.

For the legal framework, see:

• DfE Behaviour in Schools guidance (2022) (England only)

Key Concepts

• Direct discrimination: Treating a pupil less favourably because of a protected characteristic.

• Indirect discrimination: Applying a policy or practice that disadvantages a particular group, without objective justification.

• Behaviour policies should be regularly reviewed for discriminatory impact and must consider reasonable adjustments for pupils with SEN/D, ALN.