The National Education Union (NEU) has criticised strict zero-tolerance behaviour policies in schools across England, labelling them as 'inhumane' and damaging to pupils' mental health. During its annual conference in Liverpool, the union highlighted concerns that such approaches lead to excessive use of isolation, particularly for students with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) or those facing difficulties at home.
Anna Wolmuth, a teacher from Islington, north London, told delegates that while classrooms may appear calm, referral rooms are filled with vulnerable pupils. 'There is an acceptance that this is what works without thinking of the impact on a child's mental health,' she said. Parents have also expressed alarm over isolation booths, where children can be forced to sit in silence for up to six hours a day as punishment for rule-breaking.
NEU members backed a motion arguing that zero-tolerance policies 'promote surface-level compliance without addressing the needs underlying challenging behaviour'. They called for behaviour policies to prioritise pupil welfare. Callum Wetherill, a delegate from Leeds, recounted turning down a head of year role after being shown a school's isolation room with ten booths. 'Where's the education in this?' he asked.
Concerns were also raised about overreactions to minor infractions. Sally Kincaid, an NEU activist from Wakefield, described an 11-year-old boy sanctioned for saying thank you during a silent lunch. 'They are not behaviour policies, they are punishment policies,' she said. Delegates voted for local authorities to oversee behaviour policies in all schools and academies, and for support for teachers challenging 'inhumane and unjust' practices.
However, some opposed the motion. Stuart Allen from Torfaen argued that removing disruptive pupils is necessary for the rest of the class. Carole Buxton, a maths teacher from Hackney, stressed that disruptive behaviour often stems from complex needs, and removed pupils should receive support rather than isolation. A Department for Education spokesperson noted that behaviour policies must be communicated clearly, and highlighted a £10m investment in behaviour hubs to share best practice.
