Teacher Support Network today welcomed the publication of a report by Sir Alan Steer, which highlights the need for teachers to be made more aware of existing powers to deal with problem behaviour.

The Daily Telegraph has published a summary of the recommendations, which includes giving teachers the legal power to discipline pupils misbehaving outside school, which you can read here.

Teacher Support Network Chief Executive, Patrick Nash, said: “We welcome Sir Alan's renewed emphasis on existing powers for tackling challenging behaviour in schools.

“Sadly, not all teachers are aware of these powers and many schools have failed to develop and implement their school behaviour policy. This leaves many teachers feeling unsure about what they can and cannot do to tackle unruly behaviour.

"The safety of teachers and pupils must be a priority within schools. The entire school community, including staff, pupils and their parents, must be involved in designing and consistently implementing a whole-school behaviour policy. Only by working together can we successfully overcome the seemingly ever-more common problems of violence and persistently disruptive behaviour.

"We have some concerns about the extension of teachers' search powers. In a survey we conducted last year, almost half of respondents disagreed with the introduction of searches by teachers for alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Over two-thirds said they wouldn't feel safe conducting such a search.

“Crucially, a willingness to challenge such behaviour must extend beyond the school gates, with parents supporting teachers by themselves reinforcing messages about good behaviour when their children play up."

If you would like help or advice on dealing with discipline in your school you can call our free, confidential Support Line on 08000 562 561 (England), 0800 564 2270 (Scotland) or 08000 855 088 (Wales).

The following factsheets from our online InfoCentres may also be useful:

• Behaviour, discipline and exclusion: a brief guide to the provisions of the Education and Inspection Act 2006
• Managing pupil behaviour – dealing with aggression
• Pupil behaviour and teacher wellbeing
• Aggression from students and pupils and how to react