New guidance on behaviour in schools—what has changed?

Table of contents

• A whole school approach
• Supporting pupils with additional needs
• Preventing misbehaviour
• Sanctions
• Other changes
• What do you need to do?

Article summary

Local Government analysis: In July 2022, the Department for Education (DfE) released new guidance on behaviour in schools which comes into force from September 2022 and includes a number of significant changes from the previous 2016 guidance. While the focus of the old guidance was on disciplinary measures and appropriate sanctions, the new guidance moves more towards school culture, a whole school approach to tackling behaviour and, for those who need it, additional support to meet behavioural expectations. In this article, Hayley O’Sullivan of Browne Jacobson LLP discusses the meaning of ‘a whole school approach’, information on supporting pupils with additional needs, preventing misbehaviour, sanctions and other changes brought by the new guidance.