Decision details

(i)       to note that the Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning would review whether a question could be included in future surveys in relation to the thoughts of pupils on weapons in schools;

(ii)       to note that the Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning would discuss any impact caused by smart watches with the Head Teacher group;

(iii)      to note that the Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning would provide a service update to Members if the HDRC had any data available in relation to any gender differences around the use of mobile phones;

(iv)      to note the refreshed Anti-Weapon / Knife Crime guidance and acknowledge the work done by schools, central officers and partners results in robust multiagency responses to incidents;

(v)      to note that there were strong systems in place which were informing effective preventative strategies;

(vi)      to note that the data showed incidents were clearly linked to developmental delays and wellbeing needs;

(vii)     to note that the number of incidents was in line with comparable local authorities;

(viii)    to instruct the Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning to consider the learning from this report when updating school Lockdown Guidance;

(ix)      to note that the impacts of a general mobile phone ban were inconclusive and instruct the Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning to continue to monitor and evaluate mobile phone use in school settings;

(x)      to welcome the ongoing constructive cooperation with Unions on delivering the agreed Behaviour Plan, including delivery of preventative professional learning and recognise the importance of sustaining partnership working with Unions especially in responding to survey findings that record the views of teachers and other staff;

(xi)      to note that the Behaviour Plan was linked to the report at item 10.3 on the Early Intervention Support Space - The Bridge Service, which kept children's rights at the centre of our work and contributed to the goal of inclusion in education settings and agree that future expansion of similar models, based on lessons learned from the Bridge, should be progressed for secondary stage pupils, subject to Committee approval of the recommendations in item 10.3 (Early Intervention Support Space – The Bridge Service);

(xii)     to note the conclusions at Section 3.60 of the report, in particular that evidence demonstrated that many incidents being reported were a result of the young person's developmental, transition, hunger and intimate care needs and agree to instruct the Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning to incorporate this information in planning and delivering action through the Behaviour Plan; and

(xiii)    to instruct the Chief Officer – Education and Lifelong Learning to seek the views of pupils on how the Behaviour Plan takes these needs into account.