Written statement of behaviour principles: model and examples

Model statement of behaviour principles

We've created a model written statement of behaviour principles. 

Approved by Forbes Solicitors, all of our model documents take account of relevant requirements and good practice.

Model policy: written statement of behaviour principles

Your statement can be published as part of your behaviour policy 

If you're required to have a written statement of behaviour principles (see below), it must be in addition to a behaviour policy. However, they can be published as part of the same document. See appendix 1 of our model behaviour policies for an example of how to do this.

Schools

Model policy: behaviour (schools)

Trusts

Model policy: behaviour (trusts)

For more model policies and complete policy support, see our policy bank. 

Requirements

Who's required to have a statement?

You're required to have a written statement of behaviour principles if you're a:

• Maintained school
• Pupil referral unit (PRU)
• Non-maintained special school

Your headteacher must have regard to this when determining the behaviour policy. This is a requirement under section 88 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

Academies and free schools aren't required to have a written statement of behaviour principles, but it's recommended that they do (see the section on behaviour under 'behaviour principles written statement').

All schools must have a behaviour policy. 

The DfE recommends reviewing the statement annually

This is set out in its guidance on statutory policies (see the section on behaviour).

You cannot delegate writing the statement and you must publish it online

Before making or changing the statement of behaviour principles, you and the board must consult the headteacher, other appropriate members of staff, parents, carers and all registered pupils.

This is explained in the Governance Handbook (paragraph 228).

What the statement should cover

Each board is free to decide its own principles.

However, when writing the statement, governors should consider their duty to:

• Safeguard and promote children's welfare
• Eliminate discrimination

This is set out in paragraph 12 of the behaviour guidance for governors.

Informing the headteacher of what the behaviour policy should cover

While it's for you and the board to decide your own principles, you should notify the headteacher that the school behaviour policy should cover the following:

• Screening and searching pupils (including identifying in the school rules items that are banned and that may be searched for)
• The power to use reasonable force or make other physical contact
• The power to discipline beyond the school gate
• Pastoral care for school staff accused of misconduct
• When a multi-agency assessment should be considered for pupils who display continuous disruptive behaviour

This is explained in statutory guidance for maintained schools on behaviour and discipline in schools (paragraph 10) published by the Department for Education (DfE).

School/trust examples

Primary examples

• The governors of Appleton Thorn Primary School in Warrington have published a written statement of behaviour principles which clarifies that the headteacher is responsible for applying the principles in practice
• Grove Park Primary in Hounslow has a written statement of behaviour principles that is rooted in the school's values of trust, respect, enthusiasm and empathy

Secondary examples

• St Bernard’s Catholic Grammar School in Slough has a behaviour principles written statement, which also lists ‘expectations’ for the school and school community
• Torpoint Community College in Cornwall includes its written statement of behaviour principles in its behaviour policy (page 18)

Trust-wide example

• Ted Wragg Multi-academy Trust sets its written statement of behaviour principles at a trust level. It states that all schools should follow the behaviour principles in accordance with their behaviour policies, and is reviewed by the trust board bi-annually