The Steer Report
Sir Alan Steer conducted a review into the progress made in raising standards
of behaviour and discipline in schools since the Learning behaviour
report in 2005 (see link below). His final report was published on 15
April 2009.
Sir Alan Steer's review of pupil behaviour: Final
report
This report presents the overall conclusions of Sir Alan Steer's review of
pupil behaviour issues, announced in the Children's Plan. It builds on
findings from the four interim reports issued between
March 2008 and February 2009. He concludes that the behaviour in school of the
large majority of children is good and is getting better. Where instances of
bad behaviour occur, intervention must be swift, intelligent and effective.
This intervention must ensure that the teaching and learning of the majority is
undisturbed, while aiming to change the behaviour of those causing the
difficulties.
The report describes current provision, powers and duties. It makes a total of 47 recommendations, grouped under three overall themes: legal powers and duties, supporting the development of good behaviour and Raising Standards Higher. These aim to help school leaders, governors, teachers, parents and other partners, work together more effectively to promote good behaviour.
Sir Alan concludes that teachers already have a wide range of powers to manage pupil behaviour inside and outside the classroom. He recommended that these powers and duties needed to be clarified so that teachers can be confident of using them. The Government has worked with NASUWT to produce a new leaflet for teachers, School discipline: Your powers and rights as a teacher (see link below), which sets out their legal powers and rights to discipline pupils.
An appendix to the report tracks progress on recommendations in Learning behaviour, the 2005 report of the Practitioners' Group on School Behaviour and Discipline, and on recommendations from earlier stages of this review.
- The Steer Report, Learning behaviour: Lessons learned, a review of behaviour standards and practices in our schools
- The Government's response to the Steer Report
Related pages and downloads
- Steer report: Four interim reports
- Steer report: Ed Balls' speech
- Learning behaviour: The 2005 report of the Practitioners' Group on School Behaviour and Discipline
- School discipline: Your powers and rights as a teacher
Related guidance
The Government also issued two new guidance documents on anti-bullying on 15
April 2009. The first outlines practical ways of preventing and tackling
cyberbullying of teachers and other school staff. The second advises on how to
deal with bullying outside school, with versions available for local
authorities, youth workers, college staff, play workers, transport providers
and children's homes.
Last updated: 24 September 2009
