About this guidance

1. This is statutory guidance from the Department. It explains why maintained schools must have a behaviour policy, what it must cover and the role of the governing body and headteachers in shaping their school’s behaviour policy.

2. We use the term ‘must’ when the person in question is legally required to do something and ‘should’ when advice is being offered.

3. This guidance replaces chapter 2 of ‘School discipline and pupil behaviour policies – guidance for schools’

Expiry/Review date

This guidance will be reviewed in spring 2013.

What legislation does this guidance relate to?

  • Education Act 2002
  • Education and Inspections Act 2006

Who is this guidance for?

This is statutory guidance for governing bodies of maintained schools.

Key points

  • Every school must have a behaviour policy (which must include the school rules).