Serious incidents between pupils in the school holidays

[Foxesandsquirrels]

Out of curiosity, how do schools go about dealing with serious incidents in the school holidays? As an example, things like serious fights between pupils, pupils being caught shoplifting, arrested etc. Things that would get you, at the very least, some sort of suspension in term time. I don't expect schools to sort this out, but this sort of thing ends up getting dragged into the school eventually. Do they just come back in Sept to deal with the collateral damage? Do social services take over or is there some sort of DSL on duty the whole time?

DSLs in my area usually don't attend RCPCs, ICPCs, strats or cor groups at the end of July or in August, I accept it could be different elsewhere. I attended various meetings in the last few days with no schools present.

We don't suspend pupils for anything that happens out of school ( we are primary so very different ) but we do end up dealing with things that happen out of school- mainly fall outs over social media- as it tends to continue into school time too. The expectation from parents seems to be that we deal with it, rather than parents being responsible for their child's actions 🤔 But that wouldn't be a summer job!

Thing is teachers commenting who are not assistant head or above really don't know what happens as it is need to know basis. Once you are slt the contract changes and is not term time only. If you are designated safeguarding lead you are covered for your booked holidays but I don't know any who wouldn't keep checking their emails regardless tbh.

I'm a Headteacher and DSL - I'm attending at least two scheduled meetings this summer and if anything else arises will be expected to respond and attend.

At least now they will be done remotely - one of them is while I am away and my deputy is going to join on my behalf. If she wasn't available I'd be expected to attend.

HTs in my LA are expected to check emails and deal with any safeguarding incidents in all holidays. We get a reminder from the director before every holiday

Absolutely

My teachers wouldn't know how many meetings I have attended during a holiday.

I dont know what she meant by lead. It sounds like not chair if others say its a particular role that chairs. but she had a huge evidence file that was part if it. it might not have been compuslory for her to attend but i assume there wouldnt have been much to discuss without her presence as she was the 'agency' with the most contact.

Yes, I've done meetings remotely whilst sitting in a secluded corner by the pool!

I think it’s very area and school dependant. Local high schools here would crack down on anyone who was clearly a pupil at the school (wearing uniform or was known to attend the school), there is only one school that I would have concerns with antisocial behaviour out of school, I’ve not heard of the school being involved in dealing with it in the school holidays though.

However, my friend works in a school where behaviour is a big issue, violence, knife crime, she actually lost one of her pupils after being stabbed. Her school handle things very differently as the school is actually a safe place for many of the kids that attend. They do worry about a lot of the children in the holidays and they are definitely contactable during the holidays but I’m not sure if they actively deal out punishment for events out of school.

The most important thing is that absolutely none of it must inconvenience the parents. They must be absolved and refuse any responsibility at all.

Didn't most schools break up yesterday?! What could possibly have happened already, that's so serious it will still need dealing with by the school in September?!

What has happened OP?

I guess a school could have a pupil being exploited criminally or sexually, in an abusive relationship, part of an organised crime gang, being a missing person etc.

We don't "pick up the pieces" - it is nothing what so ever to do with schools.

I mean has there been a crime and are you seeking support? You’ll get better answers than in hypotheticals

No I mean that when the kids return to school parents will let the school know in case it is brought into school. In reality often parents will ask school to act even when the school has little authority to do so. There will be no one answering emails and calls during the summer apart from maybe the week or a few days before school begins again.

Gah keep hitting send to quickly. It’s very different if you are discussing exploitation and gangs rather than 8 year olds falling out at the end of term (I have encountered a mother getting over excited about this on a class WhatsApp group so nothing surprises me)

This is the opposite of what every DSL and head on here has said.

Nothing. DD was in a lot of trouble this term and I was just thinking how all of that would've been dealt with in the holidays as the school was really the main port of call and it was thanks to them it was sorted.

I wouldn't expect school to be involved unless a student is caught breaking the law while wearing their uniform.

The same as an adult wearing a work uniform or travelling in a logo work vehicle.

So I would expect parents to pull their finger out and/or the police to step in. I wouldn't dream of contacting school in the holidays unless there was a massive safeguarding issue and familiar, trained people were needed.

@Foxesandsquirrels I think the reality might be that it changes from school to school.

Yes I think that's the general consensus. It was very interesting to hear from school DSLs and heads. I had no idea they still carry on into the summer as I suspect most others on this thread.

This is the opposite to what the DSLs and heads have said on here though.

Yes. My area of London is very much like your second paragraph. There has already been a student stabbed since they broke up yesterday.

I think this is it really. There was some incidents with my DD this term and I assumed all her teachers know. It was only the safeguarding team that knew, which is 5 people in 270 PAN secondary.

Maybe it's due to the dynamics in area you live in OP, this isn't normal practice in a lot of places, fights would only be addressed in school if it happened in uniform

@kiv is this anecdotal, or based on some kind of professional role you hold, or just the way you assume things are? It's not helpful if you state things as fact that are only guesswork. In my (rural) area fights involving police and identified children would always be linked in with school. I wouldn't know about most other places