Branksome Heath Middle School
Drug Education and Incidents Policy
Policy Written: 08.04.06
Policy Reviewed by Governors: 26.04.10
The PSHCE subject leader is responsible for the development, monitoring and review of the drug education curriculum. Supporting and training staff, liaising with external agencies to support the curriculum and developing, monitoring and reviewing the drugs policy.
The Headteacher is responsible for managing drug-related incidents and the Deputy Headteachers for liaising with external agencies to support children vulnerable to drug misuse.
This policy should be read in conjunction with the SEAL, PSHCE and Citizenship policy and the following related policies: Health and Safety, Behaviour, Administering Medicines, Child Protection and Equal Opportunities.
Definition: a drug is a substance, other than food (with certain exceptions named by law), that alter the way the body or mind function.
The aim of Drug Education is to enable children to make healthy, informed choices and to provide opportunities for children to be equipped with the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to avoid the misuse of drugs.
Drug use describes any drug taking. Any drug use can potentially lead to harm, including through intoxication, breach of law or school rules, or future health problems.
Drug misuse is drug taking which leads to social, psychological, physical or legal problems through intoxication, regular excessive consumption and/or dependence.
Aims of Drug Education.
The aim of drug education is to enable pupils to make healthy, informed choices and to provide opportunities for pupils to be equipped with the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to avoid the misuse if drugs.
To achieve this, our Drug Education will help children:
o Gain knowledge and understanding about the effects and risks and dangers of drugs and correct myths and misunderstanding
o Develop skills to make informed decisions, including communication, self awareness, negotiation, finding information, help and advice, helping others and managing situations involving drugs
o Develop skills to manage situations involving drugs including assessing and avoiding risks, assertiveness and refusal skills and helping others
o Explore their own and other peoples' attitudes to drug use and drug users, including challenging stereotypes and dispelling myths and exploring media and social influences
As required by the National Curriculum, children should be taught:
Science
(KS1 - about the role of drugs as medicines) FYI as we don't have KS1;
KS2 - that tobacco, alcohol and other drugs can have harmful effects;
KS3 - that the abuse of alcohol, solvents, tobacco and other drugs affects health and that the body's natural defence may be enhanced by immunisation and medicines. How smoking affects lung structure and gas exchange.
SEAL, PSHCE, Citizenship.
KS1 and KS2 have introduced the SEAL programme of study incorporating aspects of PSHCE within its framework.
KS3 is developing a similar strategy to SEAL and this will include PSHCE and Citizenship.
Branksome Heath is a non-smoking school and staff, parents and visitors are expected to uphold this.
Medicines brought into school must be handed into the office on arrival with written explanation and permission. They will be stored appropriately and administered by the office staff.
We allow children free access to their reliever inhalers (bronchodilators) which by arrangement with parents/carers are kept in the school office. However, Parents may request that children retain their inhaler with them in which case we ask for a 'spare' to be kept in the office.
Children involved in Drug Related Offences on School Premises.
The school will follow the guidelines set out by the DCSF. www.dcsf.gov.uk (Drugs guidance for schools)
S Fox
April 2010 | 
