Drugs Policy

Introduction

Drugs can have a devastating impact on young people’s lives. Even relatively small amounts can affect a young person’s education and prevent them from reaching their full potential. Drugs can also lead to major disruption within schools themselves. No school can afford to be complacent or think that its young people are not at risk. Having an effective prevention strategy is not only important for schools but is a central part of tackling drugs use and misuse more generally in society. The government’s 10 year Drug Education Strategy “Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain” (1998) recognises this and the vital role that school’s have to play, alongside parents and a host of agencies, in helping young people protect themselves from the risks and harm of all drugs. If we are to prevent the young people of today becoming tomorrow’s problematic drug users, we need to ensure that every young person receives good quality drug education and that those with problems are identified and supported before problems escalate. This Policy makes reference to DfES 0092/2004 Drugs: Guidance for Schools and Wirral LEA Guidance Documents: Drug Education 2003; The Management of Drug Related Incidents 2004

School Description

Pensby High School for Girls is a non-selective school for girls between the ages of 11 – 18. The school was built in 1952 to educate girls from the Deeside area. Currently, there are approximately 825 pupils on roll, including 105 post-16 students. For Sixth Form teaching, the school collaborates with the adjacent Boys’ School.

Values and Ethos

Our school believes that all stakeholders, pupils, Governors, staff, external agencies and parents should work together for the welfare and well-being of all pupils. With regard to drug education and drug related incidents, members of staff should be seen as a source of support, information and guidance. It should be appreciated that children may be affected by drug use in a number of ways, their own use, their friend’s or their family’s. Careful assessment of the whole situation should be practised.

The school is committed to its Drug Education programme, which is designed to enable pupils to build on their experience and competences, to learn new skills to help them to make decisions and play an active part in their personal and social life.

Definitions and Terminology

Drugs are defined broadly and include any substance that has the potential to affect how a person thinks, feels or behaves (DfES 92/2004) This includes:

• All illegal drugs (those controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971) legal as well as illicit drugs, medicines, tobacco, alcohol and solvents.
• All legal drugs including alcohol tobacco, volatile substances, ketamine, khat and alkyl nitrates.
• All over the counter and prescription medicines.

Policy Production and Applicability

M. J. Landor, Co-ordinator for PSHE, AST for Citizenship is responsible for writing schemes of work relating to Drug Education that form part of our Citizenship/PSHE programme. Drug Related Incidents are dealt with primarily by the Headteacher Mr S J Hyden and other members of the SLT, in particular Mrs P Russell, Deputy Head for Pastoral Issues.

School practices relating to Drug Education and DRI are outlined in the school’s Drug Policy, reviewed and written by M J Landor in consultation with the SLT and all other stakeholders.

The school’s policy is in Line with the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, DfES 0092/2004 Drugs, Wirral Drug Education Guidance 2003-2004 and Every Child Matters and National Healthy School Standard, Drug Education 2003.

This school believes that the possession, use or distribution of any substance (drug) whether on the school premises or (during school hours, travelling to and from school, on trips etc.) may threaten the health and welfare of the whole school and, therefore, cannot be tolerated. This applies to all members of the school community. It is this School’s policy that in cases of possession, use or distribution of drugs, the school will follow procedures, most appropriate for the situation. (in line with the Law and the Wirral Drug Education Guidance 2003 – 2004)

The Head Teacher, writer of the policy, SLT and Governors are to review this policy annually, taking into account the ongoing need for dissemination of information and training of staff to deal with Drug related emergencies and incidents, where appropriate.

Links to National and Local Objectives

This policy takes into account the following:

The 10 Year National Drug Strategy

Launched in 1998 by the Government, this strategy has young people as one of its key priorities and in recognition of t drug education as a “central plank” of this strategy made it part of the National Curriculum and introduced a requirement for all schools to have an updated drug policy in place. (Updated Drug Strategy 2002)

The aim of the strategy is to “prevent today’s young people from becoming tomorrow’s drug misusers” It’s key target in relation to young people is the “reduction of the use of Class A drugs and the frequent use of any illicit drug among all young people under the age of 25, especially by the most vulnerable young people.”

Wirral Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) Young Persons Substance Misuse Plan Wirral DAAT is the multi-agency team (incorporating the LEA) responsible for the strategic delivery of the 10 Year Strategy at the local level. This has as one of its key performance indicators a reduction in the number of drug related exclusions.

National Healthy School Standard

While there is already a statutory requirement for schools to have a drug policy, by 2009 all schools will be required to be working toward achieving National Healthy School Status and have a whole school, updated drug policy covering education and the management of incidents while covering minimum quality criteria as can be found in National Healthy School Standard, Drug Education 2003.

Every Child Matters Under OFSTED’s inspection framework all schools will be required to evidence the ways in which their teaching and operations contribute to the achievement of the 5 outcomes of Every Child Matters which are: Be Healthy Stay Safe Achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well being

Choosing not to take drugs is a key aim of the Be Healthy outcome (Every Child Matters: Young People and Drugs) but school recognises that drug use can compromise the achievement of the other outcomes in the short and long term and will gear its approach to drugs education and the management of drug related incidents in such away that it promotes the achievement of the 5 outcomes for all children and the most vulnerable in particular.

Drug Education

Diversity Issues

Race Pensby High School for Girls recognises its responsibilities under The Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 to promote racial equality and to improve the educational experience of all children and in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Drug education in school will be sensitive to the cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds of pupils while maintaining that the purpose of education is to prepare them for drug related incidents they may encounter throughout their lives.

SEN Appropriate differentiation of tasks, materials and resources will take place to ensure that the diverse needs arising from children’s differing abilities and needs

Drug Education Aims

Our School believes that Drug education should enable pupils to develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes and understanding about drugs and appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, relating this to their own and others’ actions.

Drug education should: Provide accurate information Correct misunderstandings Build on knowledge and understanding Explore attitudes and values towards drugs, drug use and drug users Develop pupils’ understanding of rules and laws Develop pupils’ interpersonal skills Develop pupils’ self-awareness and self-esteem Explore the risks and consequences of their own and others’ actions relating to drugs; and Be relevant to the needs of pupils and the school community (see LEA Drug Education Guidance page 11, also DfES 0092/2004 page 95) Our school’s Drug Education Curriculum aims to develop pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding by providing opportunities for pupils to:-

• Take responsibility for their own actions
• Feel positive about themselves
• Participate in making real choices and decisions
• Meet and work with people
• Develop relationships
• Consider social and moral dilemmas
• Find / select information and advice
• Prepare for change.

Drug Education Curricilum Delivery

M. J. Landor, Co-ordinator for PSHE, AST for Citizenship is responsible for writing schemes of work relating to Drug Education that form part of our Citizenship/PSHE programme. (Please note that from September 2008 – all “Health related” education, currently delivered through Citizenship/PSHE, will, starting with Year7, begin to be delivered through our cross-curricular theme days, under the guidance of our Personal Development and Well-being Committee) Other elements of Drug Education are delivered through the Science Curriculum, under the leadership of J Gauntlett, Head of Science and Assistant Headteacher in accordance with National Curriculum Science Order for Key Stages 1-4

Our curriculum relating to Drug Education is in line with Wirral Drug Education Guidance pages 21-66, DfES 92/2004 page 34 and is as follows: In Years 7, 8, and 9, all pupils complete a unit of work relating to Healthy Lifestyles/ Use and abuse of our bodies, relating to alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse and encouraging pupils to adopt healthy lifestyles. We use the external Agency CASM and our Education and Sport co-ordinator to help staff in the delivery of these units of work, along with our school Nurse in some instances.

In Year 10 , pupils follow a unit of work “Anxieties” – that addresses ways of handling stress – emphasising that this can be achieved without recourse to the misuse of substances. In Year 11, pupils complete a unit of work about Alcohol abuse, derived from the Wirral Guidance booklet about Alcohol.

In the Sixth Form, students receive guidance and case studies about the effects of tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse.

Staff Training

Currently, all staff on entering the school receive induction/training in the delivery of Citizenship/PSHE at Pensby High school for girls. All staff on receiving new units of work to teach have the opportunity to seek advice and support from M J Landor, who regularly models and team teaches lessons with staff. With regard specifically to units of work relating to Drug Education, every effort is made to ensure that staff have considerable expertise, for example, the Year 11 unit of work relating to Alcohol is currently delivered by Mr D Baker, a Science specialist who also teaches Health and Social Care and Psychology. However, in line with DfES 92/2004 page 41 - it is intended that twilight training will be provided for all teaching staff – to which all non-teaching members of staff will be invited.

Any member of staff seeking to attend CPD relating to Drug Education has the same opportunities for doing so – as for any other CPD activity. Dissemination cascade etc takes place through the normal channels – staff meetings, shared documents on ITC systems etc.

Teaching

Wirral Drug Ed Guidance page 77; DfES 92/2004 pages 34-36 At Pensby High Schoolfor Girls, a rage of teaching strategies are applied that take into account pupils preferred learning styles (VAK) and their needs. These include, teacher lead presentation, small group, class discussions, paired work, the used of power point and other ICT resources, worksheets etc. Where materials are reproduced for pupils these are from recognised providers such as LCP, or Wirral’s own resources. Materials produced in school are complied by the writer of the schemes of work using sources, such as those mentioned above.

Barbara Hardcastle from CASM (a recognised local agency) delivers large section of our Drug Education. Wirral DEG pages 9&91; DfES 92/2004 pages 38-40

Resources

All the resources used in our Drug education programme support the school’s agreed aims, the aims of lessons and the objectives and values framework for DRUG EDUCATION. They conform to the legal requirements of DRUG EDUCATION, are appropriate to the needs of the pupils, avoid racism, sexism, gender and homophobic stereotyping, portray positive images of a range of young people. We use printed or pictorial resources as discussion materials. These are factual and up to date. Teachers are provided with separate information, in addition to the material for use by the pupils. Our resources contribute to a broad, balanced PSHE & Citizenship curriculum and encourage active and participatory learning methods. Resources identify sources of support such as help-lines and services, explain how they work and develop pupil confidence in using them (age appropriate). Our school Nurse is also available each lunchtime for “drop in “ sessions on any confidential matters. Refer to Wirral DEG 2003 page 93 DfES 92/2004 page 38

Evaluation

If this has not been dealt with in 9 above, type a description of how the DRUG EDUCATION programme is evaluated in this box. Type in a review date. How will progress in children’s understanding, attitudes and behaviour be evaluated and how will this inform teaching practice?

DfES 92/2004

Pupils may be required to put together presentations showing the impact of their learning and be given feedback by their teachers. Pupils complete self-assessment booklets after each unit of Citizenship /PSHE – that allow teachers to identify where their may be any gaps, in drug education and any other aspect of the PSHE/Citizenship curriculum.

Samples of pupils are surveyed about the PSHE programme each year during the Summer term. Information from the pupil self-assessment booklets and the pupil surveys is used by M J Landor to inform planning and as a basis for amendments to the schemes of work which takes place annually between June and July.

Drug Related Incidents

Managing Drugs in School

Pensby High School for Girls will not tolerate the unauthorised use or possession), of illegal and legal controlled drugs by pupils, staff or other members of the school community including parents, in school time, on school premises or off-site during school organised activities such as trips and work experience. This also extends to alcohol, tobacco, volatile substances, amyl nitrates, khat and states of intoxication. This is not an exhaustive list and it will be reviewed in accordance with circumstances as they develop.

The senior member of staff with responsibility for drug related incidents (the DRI Manager) will be S J Hyden. All drug related incidents will be reported to Mr. Hyden, who will be responsible for co-ordinating the most appropriate response.

A range of responses will be implemented as appropriate, eg, monitoring, support and guidance, notification of parents, referral to a specialist service, police involvement, exclusion etc in line with the Wirral Management of Drug Related Guidance Document 2004- p 50

Drug Incidents will be dealt with fairly and competently and with due regard for the facts as they present themselves as well as the health, pastoral, educational and welfare needs of any person involved. In the first instance the possibility of a medical emergency will be considered (Registered First Aiders will be called to assess the situation, whether an Ambulance should be summoned etc.)

Confiscated substances will be dealt with as appropriate (e.g. alcohol or tobacco might be disposed of or collected by parents; volatile substances may be disposed of in a safety conscious fashion; illegal or controlled substances should be placed in a secure place and arrangements made for collection by the police)

Drug paraphernalia might be passed to police, parents or be destroyed. Syringes require special attention. The Caretaker should wear appropriate protective clothing to pick them up and they should be stored in a Sharps Box. The Sharps Box should then be disposed of as soon as is practicable at The Lodge , St Catherine’s Hospital, Tel: 653 3871

In our school, no member of staff conducts “searches” of pupils or their property. I f a pupil is seen by a member of staff with an item that is not allowed in school, the pupil is requested to hand over the item. If the pupil does not comply with this request, a member of the SLT is sent for. With regard to substances, the same procedure applies, Senior staff, in the presence of an adult witness should attempt to persuade the person involved to hand over substances or turn out their pockets. Parents will be contacted. The police can be called to conduct a search if they believe there are reasonable grounds to suspect a crime has been committed.

Responding to pupils involved in Drug Related Incidents

It is the policy of this school that pupils experiencing problems related to the use of any mind-altering substances will be offered confidential help and advice where appropriate. The discovery or admission of any pupil experiencing drug-related problems will not necessarily be seen as a disciplinary matter.

A range of responses will be implemented as appropriate, eg, monitoring, support and guidance, notification of parents, referral to a specialist service, police involvement, exclusion etc in line with the Wirral Management of Drug Related Guidance Document 2004- p 50. and the responses as outlined inDfES 92/2004 pages 68-73. These include, early intervention and targeted prevention,Counselling, Behaviour Support Plans, inter-agency programmes and pastoral support. Appropriate pastoral and or the School’s Learning Mentor will be involved as appropriate.

It is recognised that exclusion compounds the risks pupils are exposed to because it means

that they are removed from the protective and normative environment of school, have more time on their hands to lapse into criminality, and may identify with the label of drug user which has been identified as “the strongest predictor of an escalation of drug use” Kaplan & Johnson 1992.

Involving the Police

Police will be contacted when a pupil, parent or other member of the school community is seen not to be complying with the Law in terms of drug use. Police will be contacted in line with Wirral School drug Advice, the following Officers have been identified as points of contact: DC Paul Johnson 0151 777 5857 Mob: 07801 741781

Det Sgt Berni Jones 0151 777 5856 Mob 07801 740545

Inspector Bill Stupples 0151 777 5855

The Needs of Pupils / Referral and External Support

Pensby High school for Girls has strong links with a range of external agencies and calls upon the services of the following list of agencies, when required in accordance with Wirral DRIG 2004.

Churches Action on Substance Misuse(CASM) 224 Liscard Road, Wallasey CH44 5TN Tel: 630 1879 (answerphone outside office hours)

Parents Against Substance Misuse 12 – 14 Church Parade, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire,CH65 2ER Tel: 08457 023867 (24-hour helpline) or 0151 356 1996 (admin) Email: admin@pada.org Website: www.pada.org Information, referral and support group for drug users’ parents, carers and families.

Response The Callister Centre, 19 Argyle Street, Birkenhead,CH41 1AD Tel: 0151 666 4123 (answerphone service outside office hours) A counselling, support and advice service for young people aged 13 to 25 years. Offers a range of advice and support including housing, benefits, health, drugs and information. Also provides specialist substance misuse workers who offer a range of services to meet the needs of young people aged 13 to 18 years who have problems with their drug or alcohol use. Connexions Conway Building, Conway Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6JD Tel: 0151 666 4385 Connexions Bebington 41-43 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BE Tel: 0151 472 4600 Connexions Wallasey Liscard Municipal Buildings, 52 Seaview Road, Wallasey, CH44 8ED Tel: 0151 638 5625 Connexions West Kirby 56-60 Grange Road, West Kirby, CH48 4EG Tel: 0151 471 6020 Connexions offers information, advice, guidance and support for 13 to 19 year olds (and 20 to 24 year olds with special needs) to enable them to access jobs, training, education,

voluntary or personal and social opportunities. A network of personal advisers provide a single source of confidential help and support with the full range of issues affecting young people and can signpost to specialist advisers.

Youth Offending Service Youth Justice Centre, 4 Cavendish Road, Birkenhead, CH41 8AX Tel: 0151 670 5900 Information, advice and support for young people who use drugs or alcohol and are involved with the Youth Offending Service.

Wirral Sport and Art Initiative

The Caretaker’s House, Grange Road West Sports\Centre, Grange Road West, Birkenhead, CH43 4XE Tel: 0151 653 3251 Fax: 0151 653 2946 Email: sportartinitiative@wirral.gov.uk Provides activities for young people between the ages of seven and 17, with the aim of reducing crime and drug and alcohol use. Also offers education and advice to young people on drugs and alcohol.

Confidentiality

As an important source of support for pupils experiencing problems with drugs, Pensby High School for Girls respects the right to confidentiality of its pupils but will make it clear that “teachers cannot and should not promise total confidentiality.” (DFES Drugs: Guidance for schools 2004). There are important reasons why personal and sensitive information needs to shared including a teacher’s professional responsibilities in relation to Child Protection (Refer to Wirral LEA Guidance Child Protection and Children in Need),co-operating with a police investigation and referral to external services.

The Data Protection Act and Crime and Disorder Act also allow personal information to be shared if there is an over-riding public interest in the first instance or to prevent crime and disorder in the second. However in assessing the suitability of sharing information all efforts will be made to encourage the pupil to give their informed consent.

The following questions should also be considered:

1. How serious is the situation?
2. What immediate and significant risks does the young person face?
3. What implications-both positive and negative-could keeping a confidence have?
4. What significant harm could result from keeping the pupil’s disclosure?

Pupils will be made aware of the limits of confidentiality before they disclose a confidence whenever possible. If a confidence needs to be broken the school will explain to the pupil (and parents/carers as appropriate):

• Why the confidence has been broken.
• Who will be informed.
• What will be disclosed
• How the information will be used.
• That their privacy will still be respected and information is shared on a need to know basis.

School will ensure that all staff, teaching and non-teaching, understand the limits of confidentiality.

Medicines in School

This school recognises that medicines in school need to be managed both as authorised and unauthorised substances depending on who brings them in and what they are used for. For instance Ritalin, which is used to help control ADHD, is a prescribed medicine and a class B drug with an amphetamine base. A pupil using this drug on prescription but also passing it to classmates demonstrates the duality of the issue as possession and supply without prescription are criminal acts. Pupils who need specific prescribed drugs during the school day should have authorisation to take these drugs, which are kept for them, safely in the school office. Pupils go to the office at a pre-ordained time to recive the appropriate dose. It is not in line for pupils to carry any medicines on their person. Medicines such as paracetamol can only be taken by pupils on receipt of written permission from a parent or guardian. Inhalers by be stored in the school office, kept by the School Nurse or Registered First Aiders. Reference- DfES guidance, Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings. Drug policies need to be specific in saying that unauthorised supply of medicines in school is an issue as serious as supplying illicit drugs while the proper use of medicines needs to make reference to the new DfES guidance, Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings.

Tobacco in School

n line with the Law, smoking is not allowed on the premises of Pensby High School for Girls (either inside or outside the building) If a pupil is seen smoking on the school premises, or on the way to school, parents are informed and sanctions applied.

Alcohol in School

Education regarding alcohol forms part of the school’s Health Promoting and PSHE curriculum. Pupils are informed of the dangers of alcohol abuse and are encouraged to follow healthy lifestyles. The school policy is that no alcohol is to be consumed on the premises during the school day, by any member of the school community on trips etc.At social events, the only occasion on which alcohol is served – is that Buck’s Fizz or orange juice are offered (1 glass only) to staff and Governors on our Annual Awards ceremony.

School Policy complies with Wirral DRI 2004, DfES 92/2004 pages 46&47, Wirral Guidance H004/02 Educational Visits, overnight stays and hazardous activities.

Involving Parents

Confidentiality issues and informing parents

While there is no general legal duty for teachers at Pensby High School for Girls to inform parents if they know their children are using drugs, in nearly all cases of definite drug use by pupils aged under 16, teachers will normally wish to inform parents. There may be exceptional situations where parents would not be informed. An example is where it is clear a parent’s reaction would result in physical violence towards their child, or where the parents are believed to be directly involved in the situation causing concern. In any situation where the pupil may need protection from the possibility of abuse, the Head Teacher and school’s child protection coordinator will be consulted.

(See Wirral LA Child Protection and Children in Need Spring 2003 on informing parents)

As with many of our school policies, parents are provided with opportunities to see and comment on our school’s Drug Policy, incorporating Drug Education and the procedures for handling DRI Wirral Health Promoting Schools Team is contactable on 647 1702 Refer to DfES 92/2004 page 45, Wirral DRIG 2004 page 19

The Role of Governors

Our Governors are most conscientious about attending any training events provided for them by the Wirral Childrens’ Services Department. This includes attending events relating to substance misuse – one of our Governors recently attended training.

Governors are involved in the annual review of all policies along with the Headteacher. Whenever policies are amended, they are presented at the following Governors meeting to be approved or further amended.

In all cases relating to exclusion Governors are selected to the Panel in terms of appropriate experience. Our Governors always deal with such matters sensitively and sympathetically.

In line with DfES 92/2004

M J Landor April 2008