Signing up to good behaviour

PARENTS will be expected to sign up to behaviour policies when they apply for a school place under proposals to crack down on unruly pupils.

The changes would see parents asked to agree to the policy, along with attendance and uniform codes, as part of the application process.

Schools Minister Diana Johnson said the move would further reduce already falling levels of bad behaviour in the classroom.

Latest available figures show 2,110 Oldham pupils were given a fixed term exclusion — suspension — from school in 2007-8 and a further 90 expelled.

The measures will apply to applications for school places made from September, and will help parents recognise the importance of complying with a school’s policies once the child has been admitted, the Government says.

Ms Johnson said: “Standards of behaviour have improved over the last 10 years with the number of schools where behaviour is a significant concern at the lowest levels ever recorded.

“Pupils, parents and staff share the responsibility for making sure that bad behaviour does not disrupt learning.

“To do this parents need a clear understanding of their child’s school’s expectations of them and of their child.”