April 30th 2007
National Educational Welfare Board commences consultation on Guidelines for Developing School Codes of Behaviour
Working together on the school behavioural policy provides the ideal opportunity to build a positive teaching and learning environment in schools

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) today commenced (30th April 2007) a consultation process on draft Guidelines for Developing School Codes of Behaviour. The Board has responsibility for ensuring that every child attends school or otherwise receives an education and for supporting schools on attendance and related matters. These Guidelines are prepared on foot of NEWB’s responsibility under Section 23 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000.

“Under the law, the board of management of a school must prepare and make available a Code of Behaviour in respect of its students. Working on the code presents an ideal opportunity for all members of the school community to come together under the leadership of the board of management and the principal to build a partnership that is focussed on the education of the students in a school”, Eddie Ward, Chief Executive of the National Educational Welfare Board said.

“The thrust of the Guidelines is that by working in an inclusive way with teachers, students and families, it is more likely that school policies will be successful in getting the buy in of all members of the school community. This approach helps prevent and reduce incidents of unwanted behaviour and leads to better outcomes for all. The code should be a living policy having at its heart an overall emphasis of the promotion of positive relationships at every level of the school community. The code is not just a crisis reference document.

“The Guidelines brings together guidance on good practice, both local and international, and essential information on relevant aspects of the law. They aim to standardise practices and approaches and provide practical guidance on how to develop an inclusive, child centred, behavioural policy that promotes a positive teaching and learning environment, whether schools are preparing a Code for the first time or auditing an existing one. The Guidelines strike a balance between prescribing detail on the one hand and the need for each school to develop its own policies and practices that best suit its circumstances and ethos.

"A school’s Code of Behaviour is one of a range of initiatives that can support schools in relation to behaviour. The Guidelines will enhance the ability of boards of management, school principals and teachers in carrying out their duties and supports the exercise of professional judgement by all who work in the school”, he added.

In late 2005, the Board appointed an expert group including school teachers, principals; parents and experts from the fields of the law and child psychology to draw up draft Guidelines for Developing School Codes of Behaviour. Their experience together with other expert inputs have shaped the Guidelines which are now the basis for an open consultation process involving national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, trade unions, staff associations representing teacher and other relevant organisations, children and young people. The consultation period is 2 months.

The feedback from this consultation process will inform the Guidelines for Developing School Codes of Behaviour which will be issued to all schools, primary and post primary, in the 2007 / 2008 school year.

The NEWB’s draft Guidelines on Developing School Codes of Behaviour are available on www.newb.ie. Readers are also invited to submit feedback on-line or in writing to the National Educational Welfare Board, 16 – 22 Green Street, Dublin 7.

Note for Editors:
Expert Group Members

• Dr Sean Carey, Principal Psychologist, St Michael’s House
• Ms Elizabeth Charles, Senior Psychologist, National Educational Psychological Service
• Ms Nuala Doherty, Director of Educational Welfare Services, National Educational Welfare Board
• Ms Eileen Fahey, Acting Director of Educational Welfare Services, National Educational Welfare Board*
• Mr. John Fitzpatrick, Principal, St Anne’s Primary School
• Ms Fionnuala Kilfeather, National Parents Council and National Educational Welfare Board Member
• Mr. Fergal McCarthy, teacher and National Educational Welfare Board Member
• Sr Eileen Randles, School Management organisations and National Educational Welfare Board Member
• Ms Clare Ryan, Principal, St Leo's College, Carlow
• Mr Eddie Ward, Chief Executive Officer, National Educational Welfare Board
• Prof Gerry Whyte, Associate Professor of Law, Trinity Law School

The work of the Expert Group was supported by:

• Ms Anne Colgan, Policy Advisor, National Educational Welfare Board
• Ms Mary Rafferty, Organisation Development Consultant

*Ms Doherty replaced Ms Fahey in October 2006.

Download Guidelines (PDF)

Download Invitation to give Feedback (Word)

For further information contact:

Elaine O’Mahoney

01 8738603/087 130 8799