Statement on discipline review

15 April 2009

Voice: the union for education professionals has welcomed the reported key findings of Sir Alan Steer's review of behaviour in schools to be published today (15 April 2009) but called for more research into the "deep-rooted" causes of poor pupil behaviour.

General Secretary Philip Parkin said: "The review's recommendations build on the existing powers that teachers and schools already have. The promised guidance will also be welcome, both as a refresher for experienced teachers and as reassurance and assistance for new teachers.

"I am pleased to see greater emphasis on parents' responsibilities. Parents do need to take greater responsibility and be accountable for their children's behaviour. Schools have a key role to play in young people's development and welfare but they are not substitutes for parents.

"Parents who condone or even encourage their children's truancy - by taking them shopping during schools hours, for example - are making this problem worse. By flouting the law, they are setting a bad example to their children as well as damaging their education, harming their future life opportunities, and undermining schools' authority.

"However, it seems that the review examines how to tackle the symptoms of poor pupil behaviour, not the deep-rooted causes. Yes, schools have powers to address behaviour, but exercising them takes time and distracts from the normal running of the school, especially when applied to continual low-level, but still disruptive, undisciplined behaviour from some pupils.

"More research is needed into the complex social issues that fester behind poor pupil behaviour and how society as a whole can deal with them - family breakdown, gang culture, stress and mental health, adult violence and aggression, social and economic deprivation, and social, peer and media pressures."

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