Schools in UK urged to set out behaviour 'contracts'

Schools in Britain should explain clearly to parents the powers of teachers to use force and search pupils without consent, according to the government's behaviour tsar.

In a new report, Sir Alan Steer, former head of Seven Kings High School in east London, recommends that schools use specialist Parent Support Advisers to explain to parents before their child starts at the school their responsibilities in making sure their youngster behaves in class and the stiff penalties they could face if they fail to stick to their side of new behaviour "contracts".

It was announced by ministers last summer that all parents will be asked to sign a behaviour agreement - known as a Home School Agreement - once their child is accepted at a school. If families break the agreements, parents could be taken to court or face a £1,000 fine.

Schools will also be given new guidance on how to work with police, children's services and neighbouring schools to improve behaviour. The government is also expected to produce leaflets for pupils on the importance of good behaviour.

It comes just days after a survey by ATL found that teachers believe behaviour in schools is worse than it was five years ago, with pupils as young as five being disrespectful, intimidating and violent.

Almost four in 10 (38.6 per cent) teachers said they have encountered physical aggression in the classroom, with more than a quarter (25.9 per cent) saying the violence was directed at them.