Toby Belfield, who heads Ruthin School in north Wales, says students who have romantic relationships on the school’s campus will receive a “worse reference” for university.
“School is not the place for romantic relationships – ever,” Belfield wrote in an email to staff.
“I strongly disapprove of any boyfriend/girlfriend relationships – and it will always affect any university reference I write, meaning – any student in a relationship will definitely get a worse reference from me.”
And it doesn’t stop there. Belfield said he was aware of several Year 11 students who were dating, bluntly stating that they can “expect to find new schools in September”.
“I will not hesitate to expel students that have any sexual contact in school. Relationships can start at university – not at Ruthin School,” Belfield wrote.
“There are plenty of students that wish to attend Ruthin School without the diversion of romance – and these students can replace those students whose focus is on bf/gf relationships.”
When it comes to navigating issues such as these, principals need policies that provide complex solutions informed by research rather than ideology, says Dr Anna Sullivan, a senior lecturer in Education at the University of South Australia.
Dr Sullivan said rather than having a heavy-handed approach, schools should instead focus on relational aspects and take a more educational – rather than managerial approach – to discipline.
“The harsh reactions to student behaviour tend to come from the taken-for-granted notions of what is understood to be common sense,” she told The Educator.
“Schools are intended to be ‘safe’ and some people think that safety comes from close monitoring and swift responses to restore ‘order’. Such responses are intended to demonstrate that schools are in control and can ensure safety.”
Sullivan said this view has dominated thinking about discipline for so long that “people just expect it and schools just do it.”
“The punitive practices that prevail were taught to teachers as effective ways to manage behaviour, so it is understandable that they are being used in schools,” she said.
“With the emergence of research, it is timely to raise questions about these entrenched approaches, so schools can rethink their discipline policies and practices.”
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