Highfield Priory School

Drugs Policy

Reviewed June 2017 ACS

Development process, dissemination, monitoring and review

This policy was developed and agreed in consultation with governors, teaching staff, non-teaching staff, parents, pupils and other relevant agents.

The policy was agreed to ensure that all teaching is appropriate, progressive and spirals throughout the pupils’ school career and that the school rules and protocols agreed for managing an incident are consistent.

The policy reflects national guidance and priorities as outlined in DfES Drugs: Guidance for Schools (2004), the Updated Drug Strategy (2002), National Healthy School Standard, Q.C.A. Curriculum Guidance (2002) and OfSTED Report on Drugs Education 2002-2004. This policy relates to the school’s P.S.H.E.E. and Citizenship policies, Confidentiality Policy, Rewards and Sanctions Policy and Health and Safety Policy.

A copy of this policy and guidance is made available for each member of staff and governing body. Reference copies are available from the head teacher for parents/carers and all other persons who come into contact with the pupils. .

Date of implementation: November 2006.

The policy will be reviewed every three years by the head teacher, Governors, and staff. This will include evaluation of teaching and learning activities, resources, staff training requirement and the use of visitors. The policy will also be revisited and reviewed at any time the school has to address a drug related incident.

DEFINITION – WHAT IS A DRUG?

A drug is a substance that, when taken into the body, changes the way we feel, the way we see things and the way our body works. This policy covers a range of drugs including medicines, tobacco, alcohol, solvents and illegal drugs.The school believe that the possession and or use of such drugs in school, during the day or while travelling to/from school is inappropriate. The drugs/ substances covered by this policy are not to be bought sold or otherwise exchanged or brought on to the school premises during the school day or while pupils are on school visits. Individual exceptions may be made for pupils who require prescription medicines where appropriate.

THE PURPOSE OF THE POLICY

The aim of this policy is to acknowledge and clarify the schools' role in drug prevention and education and ensure it is appropriate to pupils' needs. The policy provides information and guidance about drug education, as well, as procedures to respond to any drug-related incident, for pupils, teachers, support-staff and outside agencies or individuals.

The policy aims to ensure that the approach taken on the issue of drugs is a whole school one and is part of our commitment to and concern for the health and well-being of the whole school community. Teachers will need to be confident and skilled to teach drug education and pupils need to receive up to date, relevant and accurate information as well as support.

Reviewed June 2017 ACS

This policy aims to make clear procedures for responding to and managing drug-related incidents. Sanctions for incidents will be consistent with the school's Rewards and Sanctions Policy and disciplinary Procedures Policy. This policy should also be read in conjunction with the PSHEE Policy, EYFS Medicines Policy, Health and Safety Policy, First Aid Policy and Rewards and Sanctions Policy. This policy applies at all times to the school premises, school transport as well as school visits/trips/fieldwork/ residentials etc.

This policy aims to encourage and enable pupils/students to appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle now, and in the future. To enable pupils/students to make reasoned, informed choices. To support and engage parents/carers and pupils/students in their own personal learning and responsibilities.

RATIONALE

The school is committed to the health and safety of all pupils and will work together with parents and the local community to enable pupils to make healthy informed choices and discourage the misuse of drugs.

The school recognises the need to provide a balanced drug education programme, containing accurate and up to date information alongside the development of life skills.

TO WHOM DOES THE POLICY APPLY?

This policy applies to school pupils, all staff, parents and other visitors.

WHERE DOES THE POLICY APPLY?

This policy applies at all times when staff are acting in loco parentis – this includes educational visits in line with the Highfield Priory Out Of School Visits Policy. The policy applies to pupils travelling to and from school and during break and lunchtimes. It also affects the use of school premises after normal school hours.

STATUTORY DUTY OF THE SCHOOL:

The head teacher takes overall responsibility for the policy and its implementation, for liaison with the governing body, parents and appropriate outside agencies and alongside the Designated Senior Lead. The head teacher will ensure that all staff dealing with substance issues are adequately supported and trained.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Head Teacher

The head takes overall responsibility for providing a safe place of work for all staff and pupils and as such takes responsibility for this policy. Pupils who are suspected of being at risk from drugs will be supported and monitored with assistance from outside agencies.

Governors

Reviewed June 2017 ACS

As part of their general responsibilities for the management of the school, the governors play a role in the implementation of the school’s policy for drug education and prevention (as in Drugs: Guidance for Schools 2004). They will continue their involvement through regular evaluation of the policy. The named governor with responsibility for this policy is Mrs M Conlon

All Staff

Drug prevention is a whole school issue. All staff, both teaching and non-teaching, should be aware of the policy and how it relates to them. This includes lunchtime supervisors, caretaker and cleaning staff.

Caretaker

The caretaker regularly checks the school premises – any drugs or drug paraphernalia found will be recorded and reported to the head teacher and dealt with in accordance with this policy.

MANAGING A DRUG-RELATED INCIDENT

The member of staff responsible for co-ordinating the response to drug incidents is the Headteacher.

In incidents involving substance misuse or supply on the premises/during the school day, and following discussion with the pupil and staff, action will proceed as follows.

Any medical emergencies will be dealt with as per Appendix A.

In cases of substance use/misuse or supply on the premises, during the school day or during school visits etc, the case will be discussed with the young person and a written record taken parents/carers will be informed by the head teacher a soon as possible. The support of outside agencies will be sought if appropriate.

If a young person admits to using or supplying substances off the premises, the appropriate action will be to inform the substance coordinator who will inform the head teacher, who will inform the parents/carers.

While there is no legal obligation to inform the police, they may also be involved at the discretion of the headteacher in consultation with governors and staff who know the young person well.

The school will consider each incident individually and will employ a range of responses to deal with each incident

The governing body will be involved in drug-related incidents as they are concerning other matters relating to the school.

The head teacher will take responsibility for liaison with the media, where required. Additional support and advice can be sought from the ISA.

SUGGESTED RULESReviewed June 2017 ACS

The school rules for the drugs named in this policy are:

Medicine: see school policy on the administration of medicines

Tobacco: the school site is a no-smoking area

Alcohol: the possession or consumption of alcohol by pupils is banned.

Solvents: the school will ensure that potentially harmful substances, including aerosols, are stored safely and supervised carefully.

Illegal Substances: no illegal or illicit substances should be brought to school or used on the

premises.

Staff should only be in possession of medical drugs for their own use. The use of medical drugs should only be for medical purposes while performing their duties. The supply of medical drugs to others is not acceptable.

EMERGENCY/FIRST AID

Staff should be comfortable with providing emergency aid and should be aware of the appropriate actions if a young person is ill through drug use. First Aid should only be provided by trained First Aiders. If there is any doubt about the health and wellbeing of any child, specialist medical help must be sought. If drugs have been misused all relevant information and evidence must be given to the medical professionals dealing with the incident. For further information see First Aid Policy.

PASTORAL SUPPORT

The school acknowledges the importance of its pastoral role and will support all concerned in ensuring the well-being of all pupils. To reinforce this, any actions taken will be in line with the school’s behaviour policy. In all cases the pupil and their family will be offered help and support from the school or from appropriate outside agencies.

LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY

Refer to Confidentiality Policy

DEALING WITH THE MEDIA

As the issue of drug use is an emotive one and is likely to generate interest from the media, the school will take appropriate advice from ISA to ensure any reporting of incidents remains in the best interests of the young person, their families and the school.

DRUG EDUCATION

OBJECTIVES FOR DRUG EDUCATION:

Reviewed June 2017 ACS

To provide opportunities for pupils/students to acquire knowledge and identify the distinction between authorised and unauthorised drugs.

To develop and equip pupils/students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to build their resilience and avoid peer group pressure or unwanted drug offers from others.

To build pupils/students’ decision-making skills and increased self-esteem. To engage parents/carers in the school community and learning process. To enable pupils/students and staff to access support if they have concerns about their own

or others’ drug use.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Pupils/students are taught within the guidance of the National Curriculum (science programme of study, and the guidance for PSHEE and Citizenship).

Highfield uses the Dimensions 3D PSHE scheme (along with assemblies, class/circle time and cross-curricular links) to deliver its PSHE curriculum. Within the scheme the children are taught via 3 underlying core themes (Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, Living in the Wider world). Within these there is often broad overlap and flexibility. The issues surrounding drugs are met on several occasions within the scheme (especially in the Physical Wellbeing aspect of the Health and wellbeing theme).For more details on this see the Dimensions 3D PSHE folders held by the PSHE co-ordinator.

ATTITUDES, VALUES AND SKILLS

Pupils/students are taught:

To value and trust in their own learning through positive reflections and development of assertiveness and coping skills.

Confidence building and communication skills. About themselves and their achievements, seeing their mistakes, making positive changes

and setting personal goals. To recognise risky behaviour and risk taking within different situations and be able to

respond appropriately. That pressure to behave inappropriately or to take risks can come from a variety of sources,

including people they know, TV and the media. How to seek/ask for help and use basic techniques for resisting peer or unwanted pressure

in order to minimise harm to themselves or others. That their actions affect themselves and others, to respect and care about other people’s

feelings, trying to see things from their point of view. That communication and problem solving skills are central to bringing about a positive

change in attitudes and actions.

In teaching drug education, teachers use a range of teaching strategies, including role-play, discussion group work, draw and write, debate and circle time. The use of circle time is a key strategy for developing life skills.

RESOURCES

Teaching resources are up to date, differentiated and culturally and age appropriate.

Reviewed June 2017 ACS

The school allocates adequate funding to Drug Education provision. Adequate staff resources, development and training are provided to address identified

needs.

CROSS-CURRICULAR LINKS

Drug education has many cross-curricular links, with science making a particular contribution. However, the development of life skills is a theme throughout the curriculum, within the programme for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE), and enshrined in the values, which are embodied in the schools’ ethos. There are links to other subjects, such as geography and physical education, and aspects of school life, notably the spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of the curriculum.

MONITORING, EVALUATING AND REVIEWING

This policy is reviewed on an bi-annual basis There is a linked Governor for drug education and policy development. Senior managers are involved in monitoring and evaluation. Pupils/students, staff, parents/carers and governors are consulted and the programme and

policy are modified where appropriate. There is ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the programme, teaching methodologies and

learning outcomes to ensure that needs are met. Drug education is reviewed in line with Government and ISI guidelines.

This policy will be reviewed every two years.

Policy reviewed June 2017 ACSNext review August 2018The Governor responsible for this Policy is Mrs M. Conlon.

Reviewed June 2017 ACS