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Ilkley head teacher defiant on drugs stance
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| Headt teacher Gillian James: Defiant on drugs stance |
DEFIANT Ilkley Grammar School headteacher Gillian James says that pupils possessing illegal drugs will still be kicked out of school, despite a recent appeal decision.
Mrs James has thanked local parents who have supported the school's zero tolerance policy following the appeal hearing.
The parents of a sixth-form pupil successfully appealed against the school's decision to exclude her after she admitted possessing a small amount of cannabis.
Although the governors upheld the decision, it was subsequently overturned by an independent appeal panel at City Hall, Bradford.
The original decision prompted the girl's father to threaten legal action against the school.
But a report in the Ilkley Gazette prompted letters from parents and others in support of Mrs James's actions.
A spokesman for the school said: "Mrs James has been heartened by the community's response to the independent appeals panel decision to overturn her own and the governors' recent permanent exclusion of a sixth former for cannabis possession on school premises."
Speaking earlier, Mrs James said she was "extremely disappointed" with the panel's decision, since it suggested that possession of drugs in school was acceptable.
"I am very concerned that such a wrong message can undermine both our high standards and our discipline. I want to reassure parents that schools are no place for drugs and that we will remain vigilant in protecting all students at Ilkley Grammar School.
"The sixth former was not a victim; she admitted possession and had committed a criminal offence," said Mrs James.
"The recent reclassification of cannabis as a Class B drug only serves to confirm the seriousness of the issue."
Mrs James said she was confident that the school's policies were clear.
"We always contact parents and involve the police and follow government drugs guidance as well as our school policy. I take seriously our responsibility to students, to protect them and to support them in making the right choices."
Ilkley District Councillor Martin Smith is a governor at the school and also holds the portfolio of safer communities at Bradford Council, which means he is in charge of anti-drugs policy.
Coun Smith said he and the rest of the governors were 100 per cent behind Mrs James on the issue of drugs in school.
Coun Smith said: "Drug possession is not acceptable to me as a governor or as the safer communities portfolio holder. My job is making sure we have ways of reducing drug taking.
"I am absolutely behind Mrs James and the governors support her. We were more than surprised at the appeal decision, bearing in mind the policy we have in upper schools of zero tolerance."
Coun Smith said the reclassification of cannabis from a Class C drug to Class B in legal terms was a step in the right direction.
The school's stance is also supported by Ilkley magistrate Roger Davy, who campaigned for the Government to re-classify cannabis to make possession a more serious offence.
He said: "I support anything which helps people to become more aware of the problem. I think there should be a zero tolerance policy. Unless somebody takes a stand, the problem is not going to go away."
According to Bradford Council, advice on what to do with pupils caught with drugs is not issued by education bosses.
A spokesman said: "Schools are self-managing and they have their own policies in place to deal with such incidents when a pupil is found in possession of a quantity of drugs."
6:12pm Thursday 15th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Kim Chambers, Ilkley on 7:46pm Thu 15 May 08
I am in total agreement with Gillian James ay Ilkley Grammar for standing up to her decision to stick to the school's policies. When a policy says zero tolerance then that is what is meant. Parents sign up when their children go to scholl to abide by the scools polices and procedures and if the parent of the girl in question wants to blame anyone I agree that he needs to look at home first and be aware of his daughters behaviour both in school and out of school. We now live in a society were parents are not willing to take the blame and take responsibility for the actions of their children.
I am in total agreement with Gillian James ay Ilkley Grammar for standing up to her decision to stick to the school's policies. When a policy says zero tolerance then that is what is meant. Parents sign up when their children go to scholl to abide by the scools polices and procedures and if the parent of the girl in question wants to blame anyone I agree that he needs to look at home first and be aware of his daughters behaviour both in school and out of school. We now live in a society were parents are not willing to take the blame and take responsibility for the actions of their children.
Posted by: Kim Chambers, Ilkley on 7:46pm Thu 15 May 08
I am in total agreement with Gillian James ay Ilkley Grammar for standing up to her decision to stick to the school's policies. When a policy says zero tolerance then that is what is meant. Parents sign up when their children go to scholl to abide by the scools polices and procedures and if the parent of the girl in question wants to blame anyone I agree that he needs to look at home first and be aware of his daughters behaviour both in school and out of school. We now live in a society were parents are not willing to take the blame and take responsibility for the actions of their children.
I am in total agreement with Gillian James ay Ilkley Grammar for standing up to her decision to stick to the school's policies. When a policy says zero tolerance then that is what is meant. Parents sign up when their children go to scholl to abide by the scools polices and procedures and if the parent of the girl in question wants to blame anyone I agree that he needs to look at home first and be aware of his daughters behaviour both in school and out of school. We now live in a society were parents are not willing to take the blame and take responsibility for the actions of their children.
Posted by: IPD on 3:41am Fri 16 May 08
[italic]'The original decision prompted the girl's father to threaten legal action against the school.'[/italic]
The only legal action here should be against the father. He should be on his knees begging the school for forgiveness and to let his daughter back in, and not hiring lawyers!
'The original decision prompted the girl's father to threaten legal action against the school.'
The only legal action here should be against the father. He should be on his knees begging the school for forgiveness and to let his daughter back in, and not hiring lawyers!
Posted by: BJR on 12:20pm Fri 16 May 08
Does IGS have a written policy, given to all parents and pupils, that (among other things) outlines it's zero tolerance stance on drug use? If so then their action would seem fair. If not then perhaps they have over-reacted. Other punishments including temporary exclusion are available. Young people do make mistakes.
Does IGS have a written policy, given to all parents and pupils, that (among other things) outlines it's zero tolerance stance on drug use? If so then their action would seem fair. If not then perhaps they have over-reacted. Other punishments including temporary exclusion are available. Young people do make mistakes.
Posted by: Philip Chinque, Ilkley on 11:36pm Fri 16 May 08
Yes, of course Gillian James was right to exclude the student in possession of illegal substances. The school is absolutely right to maintain a zero tolerance policy, and the Board of Governors are absolutely right to back the headteacher. Government policy in downgrading the classification of cannabis as a harmful drug in the first place must be a factor in encouraging its take-up by young people. But what is truly remarkable is that with all the information and publicity about the insidious effects of cannabis, one parent should seek to remove the limited protection a head teacher is able to bring to her students and to threaten the school with legal action. The silver lining in this particular episode is that it has drawn attention to the dangers at our schools and it has briuhgt together caring parents in their support for the very creditable actions taken by Gillian James.
Yes, of course Gillian James was right to exclude the student in possession of illegal substances. The school is absolutely right to maintain a zero tolerance policy, and the Board of Governors are absolutely right to back the headteacher. Government policy in downgrading the classification of cannabis as a harmful drug in the first place must be a factor in encouraging its take-up by young people. But what is truly remarkable is that with all the information and publicity about the insidious effects of cannabis, one parent should seek to remove the limited protection a head teacher is able to bring to her students and to threaten the school with legal action. The silver lining in this particular episode is that it has drawn attention to the dangers at our schools and it has briuhgt together caring parents in their support for the very creditable actions taken by Gillian James.
Posted by: lellric, Ilkley on 2:17pm Sat 17 May 08
[quote]Does IGS have a written policy, given to all parents and pupils, that (among other things) outlines it's zero tolerance stance on drug use? If so then their action would seem fair. If not then perhaps they have over-reacted. Other punishments including temporary exclusion are available. Young people do make mistakes.[/quote]
Unbelievable reply there BJR.......drug use is a crime whether your young or old & as for making a mistake I'm sure she knew exactly what she was doing.
Does IGS have a written policy, given to all parents and pupils, that (among other things) outlines it's zero tolerance stance on drug use? If so then their action would seem fair. If not then perhaps they have over-reacted. Other punishments including temporary exclusion are available. Young people do make mistakes.
Unbelievable reply there BJR.......drug use is a crime whether your young or old & as for making a mistake I'm sure she knew exactly what she was doing.
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