CROFTONHIGH SCHOOL

SPECIALISTS IN MATHS & COMPUTING

“Together We Will Achieve”

DRUGS POLICY

CroftonHigh School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment

Review Date: September 2011

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DRUGS POLICY

To ensure consistency and clarity, the word ‘drug’ throughout this policy relates to all mood-altering substances both legal and illegal, including tobacco, solvents, alcohol, prescribed medicines, over the counter medicines, steroids and amyl nitrates.

We live in a drug using society of both legal and illegal substances of which young people will have access to and may use. The need is for young people to receive accurate, age appropriate, relevant education about drugs in order to assist them in acquiring life and social skills to enable them to make their own informed decisions.

The School’s Position

  • The School is strongly opposed to the misuse of drugs by its members and the illegal supply of these substances.
  • The School is committed to the health and safety of all its members and will take action to safeguard their well-being.
  • The ethos of the School is founded on its aims, which are included at Appendix 1. Central to that statement is the fundamental importance of the School’s pastoral role in the welfare of young people. Through relationships so founded students will be taught how best to face this major challenge to their well-being. The School will seek to persuade those in need of support to come forward.
  • In response to our shared concerns at local and national level, we wish to state that as part of its care for the welfare of its pupils the School believes it has a duty to inform and educate young people on the consequences of drug use and misuse. The school takes a pro-active stance on this matter believing that health education is a vital part of the Personal and Social Education of every pupil.
  • Fundamental to our school’s values and practice is the creation and maintenance of a real partnership with parents by keeping them informed and involved at all times. Effective communication and partnership is essential to the successful implementation of this policy.
  • The Policy applies within the boundary of the school and its immediate environment during the school day. It also applies when pupils are on day visits or residential outings.

Educational Objectives

  1. To give the facts about drugs, their use and misuse and to emphasise the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
  1. To give young people the knowledge and skills to make informed and responsible choices, now and in later life.
  1. To make clear statements about the position of the school community regarding drug misuse and its response should such misuse occur.
  1. Issue and facts related to drugs will mainly be covered by the school’s PSHCE curriculum (see Appendix 2). In addition attitudes will be addressed in other areas of the school such as assemblies, Drama and English.
  1. Overall responsibility for Drug Education lies with the PSHCE co-ordinator. Monitoring, evaluation and review of Drug Education will be in line with the rest of the PSHCE curriculum.

School’s Approach to Drug Education

Pupils should feel able to talk to a member of staff without fear of reprimand. They and staff must understand the limits of confidentiality that operate within School.

Teachers will need to use their professional judgement when the class includes pupils from ethnic minorities or religious communities with particular sensitivities. Consideration should also be given to students whose parents or siblings may have experiences drug related problems.

Teaching will not be designed to frighten or shock, however, a clear warning of the risks and dangers will be included.

Pupils will be given accurate information to allow informed choices to be made. This will include:

  • The Law
  • Physiological and Psychological effects
  • Implications for the individual, family and society
  • Skills to help resist the pressures to experiment
  • Minimisation of risk and basic first aid techniques

Lessons should develop self-esteem and self-worth as a foundation to responsible decision making.

Pupils should be encouraged to recognise the right of the individual and to practice techniques for coping with situations in which drug misuse occurs.

Liaison with Parents and Local Agencies

The School expects to share its practice on substance education with parents. A summary of the policy is forwarded to all parents as their children join the School with full copies of the document being available on request. The policy is publicised in the school brochure for parents.

The School is committed to close liaison with local outside agencies. The Police, Education Welfare Officers, Social Services, The Health Service and Substance Abuse Support Workers are invited to contribute to the PSHCE programme. They are also used as sources of advice.

Training for Staff, Parents and Governors

Teachers, Support Staff and Governors

Teachers and support staff working in the drug education programme need to be given the confidence to deliver clear and consistent messages. These will include current facts about drug misuse and examples of successful teaching approaches.

Group Tutors will be responsible for the delivery of the drug education programme. Support will be provided by the Year Group Manager, The Co-ordinator of PSHCE and a senior member of staff.

Schemes of work will be produced by the Co-ordinator of PSHCE.

Support and training is available from a range of agencies within the Local Authority for teachers, support staff and governors.

All trainee teachers who are preparing to teach Science will have relevant training in drug education.

Induction

All teachers must acquire a readiness to promote the moral and spiritual well-being of their pupils. The induction programme will cover the School’s approach to drug education and drug related incidents.

Parents

Information for parents on dealing with drug related incidents will be provided on their child’s admission to the School with a copy of the School’s Behaviour Policy. The draft policy and the operation of its final version were discussed with members of the Governing body (Curriculum Staff & Pupils Committee).

Parents’ comments and views regarding the drug education policy will be canvassed and, if appropriate, a drug education meeting for parents will be convened. The purpose of such an evening would be to highlight content and approach of courses offered and to offer the opportunity to parents to join in workshops and to view resources.

Drug or Solvent Misuse: Recognising the Signs

Warning Signs

Early detection of drugs misuse is extremely important. If a young person’s drug misuse is identified at an early stage, it is easier for action to be taken to prevent his or her further misuse of drugs. Therefore teachers need to be vigilant, particularly when they are in charge of activities, which take groups of young people away from the school premises. Research has shown that first experiments with drugs by young people almost always involve a substance provided by a friend.

The signs listed in Tables 1 and 2 may indicate that individuals, or groups of young people are misusing drugs. Their presence alone is not conclusive proof of drug or solvent misuse: many of them are a normal part of adolescence, but the presence of several signs together may point to a need for greater vigilance. Table 3 lists equipment which, if found in certain circumstances, might also give grounds for concern.

Table 1

Warning signs in individuals:

  • Changes in attendance and being unwilling to take part in school activities.
  • Decline in performance in school work
  • Unusual outbreaks of temper, marked swings of mood, restlessness or irritability.
  • Reports from parents that more time is being spent away from home, possibly with new friends or with friends in older age groups.
  • Excessive spending or borrowing of money.
  • Stealing money or goods.
  • Excessive tiredness without obvious cause.
  • No interest in physical appearance.
  • Sores or rashes especially on the mouth or nose.
  • Lack of appetite.
  • Heavy use of scents, colognes etc to disguise the smell of drugs
  • Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times (to hide dilated or constricted pupils).

Table 2

Warning signs in Groups:

  • Regular absence on certain days.
  • keeping at a distance from other pupils, away from supervision points (eg groups who frequently gather near the gate of a school playground or sports field).
  • Being the subject of rumours about drug taking.
  • Talking to strangers on or near the premises
  • Stealing which appears to be the work of several individuals rather than one person (e.g. perhaps to shoplift solvents)
  • Use of drug takers’ slang/terminology, appearance and effect (see appendix 3)
  • Exchanging money or other objects in unusual circumstances
  • Associating briefing with one person who is much older and not normally part of the peer group

Table 3

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR – DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

  • Foil containers or cup shapes made from silver foil, perhaps discoloured by heat
  • Metal tins, drinks cans discoloured by heat
  • Knives discoloured by heat (cannabis)
  • Spoons discoloured by heat
  • Pill boxes
  • Plastic, cellophane or metal foil wrappers
  • Small pieces of rolled up cardboard – ‘roaches’ (cannabis)
  • Small plastic or glass phials or bottles
  • Twists of paper
  • Straws (amphetamine, cocaine, heroin)
  • Sugar lumps
  • Syringes or needles (amphetamine, cocaine, heroin and others)
  • Cigarette papers and lighters
  • Spent matches
  • Plastic bags or butane gas containers (volatile substances)
  • Cardboard or other tubes (heroin)
  • Shredded cigarettes, home rolled cigarettes and pipes (cannabis)
  • Aromatic smell (cannabis)
  • Paper (about 2 inches square) folded to form an envelope (amphetamine, heroin, cocaine)
  • Small sealable bags
  • Small patterned squares of blotting/absorbent paper (LSD)
  • Bongs, plastic bottles (cannabis)

Note – This equipment when found in certain circumstances might give grounds for concern, but their presence alone is not necessarily conclusive proof of drug misuse.

Managing a Drug Related Incident

A drug related incident does not necessarily mean that substances have been found but could include:-

  • suspicion of substances being used either on or off the premises
  • some form of disclosure

Stage 1

All staff:

The health and welfare of all pupils is of paramount importance. It is important that the response to any drug related incident is carried out in a calm manner and promptly in order to ensure the well-being of the individual(s). This will allow the appropriate action to be taken ensuring that an accurate assessment can be made of what support the pupil needs.

  • All staff need to be on the alert for pupils or adults who appear to be under the influence of drugs in the school community.
  • The Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) will have responsibility for managing drug related incidents.
  • All suspicions should be reported immediately to the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral), if this is not possible to another member of the Leadership Group.
  • If the incident is of a nature where the pupil(s) immediate safety is in danger then the first aider must be alerted or an ambulance called for. (See appendix 4 for a list of trained first aiders and appendix 5 for medical guidelines).
  • Confidentiality - In all cases of related drug issues it should be made clear to pupils by staff that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Staff must inform the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) or another member of the Leadership Group if a pupil(s) discloses involvement in drug abuse.

Managing a Drug Related Incident

Stage 2

Once the safety of those involved has been secured

  • Parents will be informed of the situation
  • An attempt will be made to establish the nature or category of the drug involved if this has not already been achieved
  • Witnesses will be interviewed to establish the facts of the situation including the involvement of other individuals, the venue and frequency of use
  • The nature of the involvement will be established:

Possession only

Possession with a view to sale

Trading

  • The Police will be informed by the school
  • The Headteacher will meet with the Leadership Group to make a decision on the sanctions to be used against the individual pupil(s). Any sanction used will be in line with the School’s Behaviour Policy and will take into account:

Appropriateness of response

The proportion of the offence

The needs of all concerned - the young person, other pupils, the school and the community

It is important that a drug related incident is logged using the appropriate form (appendix 6). One copy is to be kept by the Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral) and the other forwarded to the LA’s Drug Education Development Officer. Any decision including exclusion will be relayed to the Chair of Governors.

Smoking Policy statement

CroftonHigh School operates a ‘no smoking’ policy in line with LA and Government guidelines as issued in 2007.

The following points form the main basis of that policy:

  • Crofton High School and its surrounding grounds are designated a ‘no smoking’ area.
  • All adults and pupils are subject to these restrictions.
  • All visitors and parents are subject to these restrictions.
  • Workers who are contracted to school, employed by the LA or undertaking other business are subject to these restrictions.
  • The sale of cigarettes or dealing of tobacco is not permitted in school or on the school site.

Active engagement with smokers.

Adults:

  • All adults who work within CroftonHigh School are subject to the ‘no smoking’ rule.
  • Help and support will be given to encourage Smokers to stop smoking. (This may include referral to appropriate medical services)

Pupils:

  • All pupils who attend Crofton High School are subject to the ‘no smoking’ rule.
  • Education regarding the dangers of smoking will be delivered through the extensive PSHCE programme. (ref SoW)
  • Expert advice will be sought through the recruitment of external agencies who specialise in aspects of Health Education. Eg. School Health Service. Healthy Schools initiative.
  • Pupils who are known smokers will be give individual advice about the dangers of smoking and the effects on health.
  • Pupils who are caught smoking on the school site will be given advice about the danger of such activity and will in addition be subject to the school discipline procedures. This may involve fixed term exclusion. Parents will be informed via standard letter.
  • Pupils who persist in smoking on school site will be subject to the range of sanctions as described in the school Behaviour Policy. Parents will be kept informed throughout.

This Statement forms part of the school Drugs Policy and will be reviewed in line within the Policy cycle.

Health and Safety

Administration of medicines

The procedure of the administration of medicines is shown in Appendix 7.

Disposal of sharps

Although much has been written on the subject of ‘Hypodermic needles, their use and disposal’ there is still some confusion when it comes to safety. Wakefield Metropolitan District Council already have in place Codes of Practice, Safe Systems of Work, Guidance documents and the like.

The Sharps Box is kept in the medical room under supervision by our first aiders.

The Education, Libraries and Museums Department has produced its own policies based on the Council’s and they have been issued throughout the department over a period of time. It is important that all staff familiarise themselves with:-

  • HSE Needlestick Injuries (see appendix 8)
  • Discarded Needles Policy (see appendix 9)
  • The relevant summary in the school Health and Safety Policy.

Consultation

In the production of this policy a process of consultation involving parents, staff, the LA and governors has taken place.

Training

Governors have undertaken training in drug issues provided by the LA. The staff of the school had Inset in October 2002 provided by the LA. Updated training will be provided as deemed necessary. Staff directly involved in delivering issues about drugs will be provided with the most up to date information and the lead teacher will attend all relevant inset.

Dissemination of the Policy.

The policy has been presented to both governors and staff at relevant meetings. All policy documents are available for parents to collect from reception.

Appendix 1

CroftonHigh School Specialists in Maths & Computing Aims

  1. To create a learning environment where the needs of all members of the school community are valued equally, irrespective of age, ability, race, religion or gender and to promote equal opportunity for all.
  1. To provide for all pupils a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum appropriate to their individual needs.
  1. To foster a positive ethos in the whole school community through the promotion of self esteem and respect for others.
  1. To provide a learning environment which attempts to realise the full potential of all pupils through maximising their current educational experience.
  1. To initiate, promote and enhance a positive and lasting partnership between home and school.
  1. To promote, for each pupil, a smooth transition between successive phases of school life and a continuity in quality of personal welfare and educational experience.
  1. To establish the school, its community and premises as an integral part of the whole community and in so doing foster understanding and an increased capacity for interactive contribution.
  1. To provide effective training for all staff at Crofton High School Specialists in Maths & Computing so that each individual has opportunities to be developed to their full potential.

Appendix 2

Year 7

Settling In/ Rights / RE Link / Charity / Care of Yourself / Careers / Environment/Leisure

Year 8

SEAL / Personal Safety / Drugs and Alcohol /
Citizenship assessment / Healthy Living / Family Life / Industry Day / Financial literacy

Year 9