Margot James challenges Ofsted on school discipline
12th July 2010
Margot James, MP for Stourbridge, called today for better school discipline and for Nick Gibb MP, Minister for Schools, to examine the Ofsted guidelines on exclusions.
The question followed a visit to her surgery from a group of teachers, who complained that the way that Ofsted inspectors record exclusions deters schools from excluding pupils. Margot was concerned that this perception prevents schools from taking action when disorderly pupils consistently disrupt classes.
Mr Gibb pledged to remove deterrents that prevent schools from ensuring discipline in the classroom. He also praised head teachers and argued that they should have more powers to deal with unruly pupils.
The government is aiming to improve discipline by giving teachers greater powers and reducing the burden of bureaucracy.
Margot said “exclusion is far from the only solution to behavioural problems; however there are many cases where it is the only option. Heads should not be constrained in the use of this sanction by fear of Ofsted or any other deterrent.”
FULL TEXT OF MARGOT'S QUESTION
Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): What his most recent assessment is of the level of discipline in schools. [6963]
The Minister of State, Department for Education (Mr Nick Gibb): The latest Ofsted reports tell us that in 95% of primary schools and 80% of secondary schools inspected in 2008-09 pupils' behaviour was good or outstanding, but that means that behaviour in one out of five secondary schools is still no better than satisfactory. To address this, I announced to the House on 7 July a series of measures that will give head teachers and teachers the powers they need to ensure discipline in the classroom and to promote good behaviour.
Margot James: I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. Two teachers from a primary school came to my surgery in despair over school discipline. They and others have advised me that schools are deterred from excluding pupils because they believe that doing so would have a negative impact on their Ofsted score and budgets. Does he agree that discipline and a head teacher's ability to exclude pupils is being undermined by that and other aspects of schools policy that prevailed under the previous Government?
Mr Gibb: I thank my hon. Friend for that question. I welcome her to the House and congratulate her on her election. She is right: head teacher authority must be absolute in the classroom and we will remove deterrents that may prevent schools from properly exercising their powers to exclude pupils. The vast majority of head teachers intervene early to prevent exclusions becoming necessary, but when they are necessary we need to be sure that any deterrent is removed.
