About this guidance

  1. This is non-statutory advice from the Department. It is intended to provide clarification on the use of force to help school staff feel more confident about using this power when they feel it is necessary and to make clear the responsibilities of school leaders and governing bodies in respect of this power.
  2. This advice replaces The use of force to control and restrain pupils: Guidance for schools in England.

Expiry/review date

This advice will be reviewed in spring 2013.

What legislation does this guidance relate to?

Education Act 1996.

Who is this advice for?

This advice is aimed at governing bodies, headteachers and school staff in all schools1.

Key points

  1. School staff have a legal power to use force and lawful use of the power will provide a defence to any related criminal prosecution or other legal action.
  2. Suspension should not be an automatic response when a member of staff has been accused of using excessive force.
  3. Senior school leaders should support their staff when they use this power.

1 All schools include academies, Free Schools, independent schools and all types of maintained schools.