Introduction
The misuse of illegal drugs and other substances is a matter of concern both
within the school and at a national level.
It is important to have a common policy for dealing with those who misuse
drugs in school.
For the purpose of this policy a drug is defined as a chemical substance which will alter the way the mind and/or the body works.
It is concerned with the misuse of:
Illegal drugs;
Substances such as solvents;
Tobacco and alcohol
The school is committed to a comprehensive programme of drug education.
Details of this programme can be found in the school’s Drug Education Policy.
Procedures
Alcohol, solvents and illegal drugs
There are standard procedures for when the school becomes aware of drug abuse.
Students involved in solvent abuse, alcohol and/or the use of illegal drugs should be brought to the Headteacher or other member of the School Leadership Team.
In the case of illegal drugs procedures are laid down but may vary depending upon circumstances. In all situations, the staff making the discovery will complete a written report.
Tobacco
Students are not permitted to smoke, possess cigarettes or tobacco products in school or on the way to or from school. All cases will be referred to the appropriate Head of House.
Alcohol
Alcohol must not be brought to, or drunk in, school by students. Students must not appear in school under the influence of alcohol.
Solvents
Solvents, all aerosol sprays and solvent based correction fluids are prohibited in school. The use of such in Art and/or CDT will be carefully monitored.
Illegal drugs
Students are not permitted to possess, supply or use illegal drugs in school, or on the way to or from school. Any incidents involving drugs will immediately be referred to the Headteacher or other member of the School Leadership Team.
Students who have concerns about drugs will be made aware of the help available through outside agencies.
If students admit to possession and/or use of illegal substances in or on the way to or from school then this must be reported to the Headteacher or other member of the School Leadership Team who will normally inform parents.
Standard Procedures
For Tobacco
The student will be reported to their Head of House who will deal with the situation.
Students smoking or in possession of tobacco will be dealt with in the following manner:
(1) They will be given advice and guidance, including the opportunity to attend a smoking cessation course.
(2) The offending items will be confiscated.
(3) An attempt will be made to establish the source of supply. This information
will be acted upon.
(4) The student will be given a school detention. Students may be required to
research and write an essay on the effects and dangers of smoking.
(5) A letter will always be sent home explaining the situation and the
disciplinary steps taken. This letter will also seek the support of parents.
For alcohol
The student will be reported to the Headteacher or other member of the School Leadership Team who will deal with the situation.
Students drinking alcohol in school will be dealt with in the following manner:
(1) It will be established if the student is in danger from the consumption of
alcohol. If so the teacher in-charge will take the appropriate action including
seeking medical help and other staff help.
(2) Any remaining alcohol will be taken from them.
(3) Parents will be contacted immediately and asked to collect the child from
school with a view to supporting the safety of the student. An apparently intoxicated student or one smelling of alcoholic drink should not remain in contact with other students.
(4) Every step will be taken to establish if the student has an ongoing problem
with alcohol consumption and needs help from outside agencies. They will be
given advice and guidance, including the opportunity to link with external
agencies.
(5) The student will not be allowed back into school until sober and in the
company of her/his parent(s), normally following a one day fixed term exclusion. She/he will be expected to attend an interview with the Headteacher or other member of the
School Leadership Team before being re-admitted.
(6) The student and parents will be warned that a repeat of such behaviour may
result if in further exclusion from school.
(7) An attempt will be made to establish the source of supply. This information
will be acted upon.
(8) A report of the incident will be completed.
Students found with alcohol in school will be dealt with in the following way:
(1) The alcohol will be removed from the student.
(2) Parents will be contacted and informed and asked to remove the alcohol from
the premises.
(3) The offending student will be given a school detention and be required to
research and write an essay on the effects and dangers of alcohol.
(4) A strong warning will be given and students and parents informed that a
repeat could result in exclusion.
(5) An attempt will be made to establish the source of supply. The information
will be acted upon.
(6) A report of the incident will be completed.
If either of the two above incidents occur on a school trip abroad, parents
will be contacted on return to
the
In the case of serious alcohol abuse parents may well be contacted
immediately at the discretion of the party leader.
For solvent abuse
THE STUDENT WILL BE KEPT CALM AND UNDER SUPERVISION FOR
30 MINUTES. S.L.T WILL BE IMMEDIATELY INFORMED.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE STUDENT BE LEFT ON HIS/HER OWN.
(1) It will be established quickly if the student is in any danger, if so emergency
agencies should be contacted. The substance should be removed from the
student.
(2) The parent will be contacted immediately and the student removed from the
school for the remainder of the day with a view to supporting the safety of the student. Students under the influence of solvents will not mix with others. Whilst awaiting the arrival of parents, a careful watch must be kept on the student in case she/he becomes unconscious or develop other signs of intoxication.
(3) Re-admittance will take place only after interview involving the student,
parent(s) and the Headteacher or other member of the School Leadership
Team normally following a one day exclusion.
(4) The student will be counselled on the dangers and effects of substance abuse
and help will be sought for them, including the opportunity to link with external agencies.. It will also be established if any of his/her friends are involved. Involving outside agencies for counselling will be considered.
(5) Students will be required to research and write an essay on the effects and
dangers of solvent abuse. A repeat may result in further exclusion.
(6) An attempt will be made to establish the source of supply. The information
will be acted upon.
(7) A report of the incident will be completed.
Students found with solvent in school will be dealt within the same way as those found with alcohol.
For use/possession of illegal drugs
IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT AS TO THE NATURE OF THE SUBSTANCE THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE FOLLOWED. THE PUPIL WILL IMMEDIATELY BE BROUGHT TO A MEMBER OF THE SLT OR KEPT CALM UNDER SUPERVISION AND SLT INFORMED IMMEDIATELY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE STUDENT BE LEFT ON HIS/HER OWN.
(1) If the substance is in the possession of one or more students, the member of
staff will remove it, if to do so is within the bounds of professional discretion. Wherever possible there will be a witness present.
(2) The student will be questioned concerning the nature and quantity of drug
used and a decision made regarding their physical well-being. If they are in
danger appropriate action will be taken.
(3) TAKE THE SUBSTANCE TO THE HEADTEACHER OR IN HIS
ABSENCE TO ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
TEAM. PLACE THE SUBSTANCE IN A SEALED CONTAINER AND
SIGN AND DATE THE SEAL. KEEP THE SUBSTANCE IN A SECURE
PLACE UNTIL IT IS HANDED TO THE POLICE. DO NOT RETAIN THE
SUBSTANCE ON YOUR PERSON.
(4) Having removed the substance, record the place, date and time when the
substance came into your possession. If possible have the report
countersigned.
(5) The parents of the student will normally be notified immediately.
(6) As an offence may have been committed the Police will be informed of the
circumstances. If the Police wish to interview the student the school will
enable this to take place in the presence of the parent(s).
(7) The substance will be handed to the Police for eventual disposal.
(8) The school will ask the parents to take the student home and the student will
be excluded from school for a fixed period of time.
Re-admittance will involve an interview with student, parent(s) and
Headteacher. It is hoped that, if necessary, the student will accept professional counselling from an outside organisation and that the parent(s) will support him/her in this. The student will also give an undertaking that such behaviour will not re-occur. Recurrence may result in permanent exclusion from The Castle School.
(9) The student will be provided with support, including referral to an appropriate external agency.
IN CASE OF SUPPLYING ILLEGAL DRUGS THE ABOVE PROCEDURE WILL BE FOLLOWED AND THE OFFENDING STUDENT(S) MAY BE PERMANENTLY EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL.
On discovering illegal drugs
(1) If the substance is found on school premises, not in the possession of students,
the members of staff will remove it, if to do so is within the bounds of professional discretion. Wherever possible there will be a witness present.
(2) TAKE THE SUBSTANCE TO THE HEADTEACHER OR IN HIS
ABSENCE TO ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
TEAM.
PLACE THE SUBSTANCE IN A SEALED CONTAINER AND SIGN AND
DATE THE SEAL. KEEP THE SUBSTANCE IN A SECURE PLACE UNTIL IT IS HANDED TO THE POLICE.
DO NOT RETAIN THE SUBSTANCE ON YOUR PERSON.
(3) Having removed the substance, record the place, date and time when the
substance came into your possession. If possible have the report
countersigned.
(4) The Police will be informed and the substance handed to them.
For use/possession of illegal drugs on a school trip
within the
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE STUDENT BE LEFT ON
HIS/HER OWN.
IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT AS TO THE NATURE OF THE SUBSTANCE THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE FOLLOWED:
(1) If the substance is in the possession of one or more students, the member of
staff will remove it, if to do so is within the bounds of professional discretion.
Wherever possible there will be a witness present.
(2) The student will be questioned concerning the nature and quantity of drug
used and a decision made regarding their physical well-being. If they are in
danger appropriate action will be taken.
(3) PLACE THE SUBSTANCE IN A SEALED CONTAINER AND SIGN AND
DATE THE SEAL. KEEP THE SUBTANCE IN A SECURE PLACE
UNTIL IT IS HANDED TO THE POLICE.
(4) Having removed the substance, record the place, date and time when the
substance came into your possession. If possible have the report
countersigned.
(5) If the trip is a day trip then the parents of the student(s) will be notified
immediately on return to school.
If the trip is longer than one day the party leader, where possible, will contact
the Headteacher in order to decide arrangements for the early return of the
student.
(6) As an offence may have been committed the Police will be informed of the
circumstances. If the Police wish to interview the student the school will
enable this to take place in the presence of the parent(s).
(7) The substance will be handed to the Police for eventual disposal.
(8) The school will ask the parents to take the student home and the student will
be excluded for a fixed period of time.
Re-admittance will involve an interview with student, parent(s) and
Headteacher. It is hoped that, if necessary, the student will accept professional
counselling from an outside organisation and that the
parent(s) support him/her in this. The student will also given an undertaking
that such behaviour will not re-occur. A repeat may result in permanent
exclusion from The Castle School.
(9) The student will be provided with support, including referral to an appropriate external agency.
IN THE CASE OF SUPPLYING ILLEGAL DRUGS THE ABOVE
PROCEDURE WILL BE FOLLOWED AND THE OFFENDING
STUDENT(S) MAY BE PERMANENTLY EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL.
For use/possession of illegal drugs on a school trip abroad
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE STUDENT BE LEFT ON
HIS/HER
OWN IF UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS.
IF THERE IS A DOUBT AS TO THE NATURE OF THE SUBSTANCE THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE FOLLOWED
(1) If the substance is in the possession of one or more students, the member of
staff will remove it, if to do so is within the bounds of profession discretion.
Wherever possible there will be a witness present.
(2) The student(s) will be questioned concerning the nature and quantity of drug
used and a decision made regarding their physical well-being. If they are in
danger appropriate action will betaken.
(3) Having removed the substance, record the place, date and time when the
substance came into your possession. If possible have the report
countersigned.
(4) The party leader, where possible, will contact the Headteacher who will then
contact the parents.
(5) As an offence may have been committed the local police, in the country being
visited, will be informed of the circumstances and the suspect substance
handed to them. The legal system in the country being visited will decide
what further legal action will result.
(6) The student will be excluded for a fixed period of time. Re-admittance will
involve an interview with pupil, parent(s) and Headteacher. It is hoped that, if
necessary the student will accept professional counselling from an outside
organisation and that the parent(s) agree to support
him/her in this. The student will also give an undertaking that such behaviour
will not re-occur. A repeat may result in permanent exclusion from The Castle
School.
IN THE CASE OF SUPPLYING ILLEGAL DRUGS THE OFFENDING
STUDENT MAY BE PERMANENTLY EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL.
PARENTS OF STUDENTS VISITING FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITH THE
SCHOOL WILL BE INFORMED OF THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES
OF THEIR CHILDREN USING OR POSSESSING ILLEGAL DRUGS ON
THE SCHOOL TRIP.
POLICY NAME: Drugs Incident Policy DATE: April 2009
PURPOSE
KEY POINTS
This policy should be read in conjunction with the
school’s policy on Drugs Education.
LEAD PERSON: Kevin Freedman