Is it illegal to keep students after the bell?

TEACHERS have a “duty of care” for their pupils and the legal right to discipline children in various, non-physical ways – with the classic punishment being the dreaded detention. But as parents, it’s important to understand exactly what teachers can and can’t do when your kids are in school. Is it illegal to keep students […]

TEACHERS have a “duty of care” for their pupils and the legal right to discipline children in various, non-physical ways – with the classic punishment being the dreaded detention.

But as parents, it’s important to understand exactly what teachers can and can’t do when your kids are in school.

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Is it illegal to keep students after the bell?

No – teachers can punish children under 18 by holding them back after class.

However, the school must make parents and pupils aware that they use detentions.

This is usually outlined on a school’s website under the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure section.

Most schools do not need the consent of parents or inform them before issuing a detention.

Detentions can be during the school day, such as during breaks or lunch time.

The teacher must still allow time for the child to eat, drink and use the toilet.

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Detentions can also be outside of school hours, for example, on weekends and INSET or teacher training days.

Parent consultation is required for detentions outside of the school day.

The decision to punish the pupil and the detention itself must take place on school grounds, or when the teacher is in charge of the pupil off-site, like on a school trip.

The punishment must be reasonable to take account of things like the child’s age and also proportionate to the offence.

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Teachers need to make parents aware that the school uses detentions – but do not always need to get consent to enforce detentions[/caption]

Some pupils cite international law as a reason why they can’t all be held back because a handful have been naughty.

But Article 33 of the Geneva Convention bans collective punishment in times of conflict, so it doesn’t apply even to the most unruly of schools.

Does the bell or the teacher dismiss you?

The teacher dismisses you – and some UK schools have even removed the bell altogether.

Mackie Academy, in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, made the change in 2012 to make the establishment calmer for staff and students.

Now they have to watch the clock themselves to avoid being late.

Teachers rightly say the bell is for them, not the pupils, to gauge when to end the lesson.

They can carry on after it’s rung in order to finish the lesson they are giving.

The bell helps staff and pupils get to the next lesson on time, but it’s not a signal to pupils to leave the classroom.