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Education and Inspections Bill

This group of new clauses and amendments deal with discipline in schools. If the objective of the Bill is to increase school autonomy, the Government should agree that a school must be completely in control of discipline. That is why the new clauses would make home-school contracts enforceable. If parents and children do not sign up to a code of behaviour, and stick to it, it would surely be inappropriate for those children to attend the school. My proposals are also in line with the Government’s White Paper. It set a clear direction and that is why Opposition Members, who share the intent to drive up quality in our schools, have broadly supported the Government since it was published. We certainly support the Government in as much as they are determined to improve discipline in our schools for the benefit of children and teachers. The White Paper states:"““Home-school agreements can be a powerful tool in making clear to parents what they can expect from their child’s school particularly when they join a new school and also setting out parents’ own responsibilities in supporting the school.””" It also states, in paragraph 5.14:"““Home-school agreements have been a requirement since 1999, but many schools have not yet exploited their potential.””" As an example of home school agreements that work, the White Paper draws attention to Oulton Broad primary school in Suffolk. It says:"““The home-school agreement is displayed in the school’s entrance hall, and sets out clearly the expectation that both the school and the family will play their part in the child’s education. The school consults parents about reviewing the agreement every three years, and it is used in day-to-day conversations, where necessary, with parents to clarify responsibilities, and emphasise the role that both sides play.””" That is so important in an age when people are prepared to bleat about their rights, but have little regard to their responsibilities, still less their duties. It is in a spirit of consensus and co-operation, and of wanting to improve discipline in schools, that we suggest these improvements to the Bill to enable the Government to achieve those objectives.