Schools can use reasonable force to: disruptive children from the classroom where they have refused to follow an remove instruction to do so; a pupil behaving in a way that disrupts a school event or a school trip or visit; prevent a pupil leaving the classroom where allowing the pupil to leave would risk prevent their safety or lead to behaviour that disrupts the behaviour of others; a pupil from attacking a member of staff or another pupil, or to stop a fight in prevent the playground; and a pupil at risk of harming themselves through physical outbursts. restrain Schools cannot: force as a punishment it is always unlawful to use force as a punishment. use – Power to search pupils without consent addition to the general power to use reasonable force described above, In headteachers and authorised staff can use such force as is reasonable given the circumstances to conduct a search for the following items”: “prohibited and weapons knives alcohol drugs illegal items stolen and cigarette papers tobacco fireworks images pornographic article that has been or is likely to be used to commit an offence, cause personal any injury or damage to property. cannot be used to search for items banned under the school rules. Force Separate guidance is available on the power to search without consent
Schools can use reasonable force to: remove disruptive children from the classroom where they have refused to follow an instruction to do so; prevent a pupil behaving in a way that disrupts a school event or a school trip or visit; prevent a pupil leaving the classroom where allowing the pupil to leave would risk their safety or lead to behaviour that disrupts the behaviour of others; prevent a pupil from attacking a member of staff or another pupil, or to stop a fight in the playground; and restrain a pupil at risk of harming themselves through physical outbursts. Schools cannot: use force as a punishment – it is always unlawful to use force as a punishment. Power to search pupils without consent In addition to the general power to use reasonable force described above, headteachers and authorised staff can use such force as is reasonable given the circumstances to conduct a search for the following “prohibited items”: knives and weapons alcohol illegal drugs stolen items tobacco and cigarette papers fireworks pornographic images any article that has been or is likely to be used to commit an offence, cause personal injury or damage to property. Force cannot be used to search for items banned under the school rules. Separate guidance is available on the power to search without consent