CTC Kingshurst Academy: Drugs Education Policy

Drugs Education Policy

Rationale

The College is committed to the health and safety of all its members and will take action to safeguard their well being. We want our students to be educated in a substance-free zone and so will not allow alcohol, cigarettes or non prescribed drugs to be brought onto the premises, to be consumed during the College day or whilst on educational visits. Smoking is not allowed on any part of the College site. The College acknowledges the importance of its role in the welfare of all students, and through the general ethos of the College will seek to persuade those in need of support to come forward.

Aims

To enable students to make healthy, informed choices by having access to accurate information, by challenging attitudes and by developing and practising skills
To increase understanding about the implications and possible consequences of the use and misuse of drugs
To widen understanding about related health and social issues
To enable young people to identify sources of appropriate personal support.

The Drugs Education Programme

These aims are fulfilled through aspects of the students� experiences in the taught curriculum, the informal curriculum and through opportunities for extra-curricular activities. We deliver Drugs Education in the taught curriculum through PSHE and Science, and opportunities to reinforce learning will occur in other parts of the teaching programme. The College actively co-operates with other agencies such as Community Police, Social Services, and health and drug qgencies to deliver its commitment to Drugs Education and to deal with incidents of substance use and misuse. Visitors who support the College will be informed of the values held within this policy.

Prescribed medicines should be left with the Nurse with an authorisation document from the parent/carer and clear instructions.
The Role of Parents/Carers

Fundamental to our College�s values and practice is the principle of sharing the responsibility for the education of young people with parents, by keeping them informed and involved at all times. Effective communication and co-operation are essential to the successful implementation of this policy. We will actively involve parents in drug education and if contacted by parents concerned about misuse of drugs by their children will give details of agencies that can offer support.

The Roles of the Principal and Governing Body

The Principal takes overall responsibility for the policy and its implementation, for liaison with the Governing Body, parents, and appropriate outside agencies and for the appointment within the College of a Substance Co-ordinator, who will have general responsibility for handling the daily implementation of this policy. The Principal will ensure that all staff dealing with substance issues are adequately supported and trained. The Governing Body will be involved in substance education and substance related incidents in the same manner as any other matters concerning the direction of the College.

Dealing with Incidents

In instances involving substance possession, misuse or supply on the premises, and following discussion between staff members who know the student well, parents will be informed at the earliest opportunity by the Principal. The College and the parents can then work together to support the young person involved. Where it is known or suspected that substances are being brought into College, and/or being sold on the premises, details regarding those involved will be passed to the Community Police Officer. All incidents involving substances have extremely serious implications for College life and the children concerned. The College will consider each substance incident individually and recognise that a variety of responses will be necessary to deal with incidents. Exclusion of the student could be considered an appropriate response. The College will consider very carefully the implications of any action it may take. It seeks to balance the interests of the student involved, other College members and the local community.

The Media

The Principal will take responsibility for liaison with the media. As the issue of substance misuse is an emotive one and is likely to generate interest from the local and national media, the College will take appropriate advice and guidance from the police to ensure that any reporting of incidents remains in the best interests of the young people, their families and the College.