Sometimes aggressive or abusive behaviour from a parent can present a risk to staff and children. School premises are private property and parents will generally have permission from the school to be on school premises. However, in cases of abuse or threats to staff, pupils or other parents, schools may ban parents from entering the school.
It is also an offence under section 547 of the Education Act 1997 for any person (including a parent) to cause a nuisance or disturbance on school premises. The police may be called to assist the school in removing a parent but local authorities and governing bodies may also authorise a person to remove a person if they have reasonable cause to believe that the person is causing a nuisance or a disturbance.
Schools should have a written policy setting out the behaviour expected of parents on the premises and the procedures that will happen when the school wishes to restrict a parent’s access to school premises. A parent who has been banned from entering school premises is trespassing if he or she does so without permission.
