Principal's 'Disciplinary Contract' With
Students
At the first assembly every year I explain to students my personal contract with them
as far as discipline is concerned. I explain that teachers are busy people dealing with as
many as 120 students a day under pressure. Sometimes but not often they will
make a mistake in dealing with an individual. A common grievance of students is that
"it wasnt me!"
I ask students to put up with their worry for a maximum of one hour the length
of the lesson. If they still feel bad about the situation they should approach the teacher
privately and quietly to explain how they feel. Generally, the problem can be fixed there.
If not, the student may then approach their form teacher, a Dean, the Guidance
Counsellors, other senior staff or me. They do not have to suffer in silence. They will
have their concern heard and investigated.
However, I do tell them that if they insist on publicly challenging the teacher in
front of the class, then I will have great difficulty in supporting them. I rely on
teachers maintaining effective order in classrooms for everyones benefit and this is
much harder to achieve in an atmosphere of confrontation.
I give staff exactly the same message at our first briefing meeting. I would urge
parents to follow a similar line. If your child voices concerns of course hear those; but
if they are serious or worrying please check the detail with the school first before
taking a strong, open or public stance of support for your child. The risks to the
relationship between school and parent are exactly the same as the risk between two
parents who fall out over the treatment of the child in front of the child. |