Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of the discipline approaches deployed at Millthorpe School in York and (b) impact of those approaches on the children of that school.

The Department trusts head teachers to develop tailored behaviour polices based on the school’s individual contexts and needs.

The Behaviour in Schools guidance 2022 supports schools to manage behaviour well so they can provide calm, safe and supportive environments where pupils and staff can work in safety and are respected.

If parents have concerns, they should speak to the school in the first instance. If they are still unsatisfied following this, they can raise a formal complaint by following the school’s complaint procedure. If parents wish the Department to consider the school’s actions, and the school is maintained by the Local Authority, they can contact the School Complaints Unit. They can contact them via email at customer.enquiries@education.gov.uk or through the online portal at: https://www.education.gov.uk/contactus.