Will the Cabinet Secretary clarify whether headteachers have any responsibility for the behavior of their students outside of school hours in the community?
The Welsh Government’s Inclusion and Pupil Support Guidance states that a school’s behaviour policy applies not only during the school day, but also during travel to and from school, and in any context where the learner is identifiable as a member of the school community. Behaviour policies should explicitly state that inappropriate behaviour occurring outside the school premises, such as during the journey to and from school would constitute a breach of school policy.
In addition, the Exclusion from Schools Guidance stipulates that headteachers may consider exclusion for incidents that occur outside of school and not on school business, provided there is a clear link between the inappropriate behaviour and the need to maintain good discipline among the wider learner body. This includes behaviour in the immediate vicinity of the school or while travelling to or from school.
Such decisions are based on the professional judgement of the headteacher, who must consider the impact of the behaviour on the school community and the appropriateness of the response in line with the school’s behaviour policy and current guidance.