From the Teacher Support Network, www.teachersupport.info.

TEACHERS NEED SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENT STEER REFORMS, SAYS JULIAN STANLEY

"If the new search powers, behaviour partnerships and reporting mechanisms are to work, the whole school community – using all available resources – must be involved in improving pupil behaviour. Furthermore, teachers must be fully trained and supported with the powers that they choose to use."

Many of Sir Alan Steer’s behaviour reforms are included in the ASCL Bill, currently going through Parliament. 71 per cent of respondents to Teacher Support Network's 2009 Violence and Disruption Survey said they did not feel confident or comfortable in using new search powers that are given in the ASCL Bill. Many said there was insufficient training to use search powers, and a large number said that searches should be conducted by the Police.

The following factsheets may be useful:

• Pupil Behaviour and Teacher Wellbeing
• The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill (ASCL Bill) - an overview
• When is it appropriate to physically restrain a pupil?