The Paragon - NWET&D

Can There Be A 'No Touch Policy' in Classrooms?

Many schools throughout England have established a 'No touch policy ruling'. When tested in the legal courts in Birmingham 2004, the judge concluded a 'no touch policy cannot work'.

If you have a disruptive pupil threatening another in a manner whereby they become a risk to other pupils, and in this particular case, the pupil is taunting others with a canteen knife, failing to place the knife down. An opportunity may arise whereby it may be required for the pupil to be disarmed.
Another problem arising, as in this case, there were a number of disruptive pupils, there was also a need to make sure the innocent would not be in the direct path of the danger.
Unfortunately, actions happen very quickly within this type of situation, the teacher incharge of up to 30 pupils will have to make quick decisions, and this may lead to moving pupils out of dangers way, even sitting a pupil down forcibly in some cases.

The teacher in this incident, was arrested and eventually taken to court, on the charges of assault and battery - Even though they were found not guilty they had their CRB endorsed with the record of the event that did not make good reading. Based on the verdict, further appeals were processed over a period of three to four years and eventually the ECRB was applied for, and entries had been cleared (On this application at least).

Note: This does not take into consideration the psychological stress, loss of work, salary (supply), damage to professional reputation. All based upon disruptive pupil accusations and a break down of professional support.