Improving relationships and behaviour in schools: ensuring safe and consistent environments for all. Joint action plan 2024 - 2027: 2nd Annual Progress Report

Conclusion

This second progress report sets out activities that have been delivered or progressed as part of the implementation of the relationships and behaviour in schools action plan.

Since commencement of the action plan, progress has been made against all 20 actions within the plan.

During phase 2, significant focus has remained on ensuring there is robust, current guidance available to schools and local authorities for promoting positive relationships and behaviour in schools. The outputs that have been completed by the end of phase 2 means that all emerging issues in BISSR 2023 – mobile phone use, vaping, children in school but not in class, and misogyny – have all been responded to by means of new national guidance.

In phase 3, we will publish updated guidance on preventing and managing exclusions. We will also publish principles for recording and monitoring incidents. There will remain a focus on underpinning the publication of guidance with support for the local implementation of national guidance.

During phase 3, we will also publish the next Behaviour in Scottish Schools research to ensure evidence is available both to track progress and impact of the action plan, and to inform next steps following the conclusion of the action plan period in 2027. We accept that given the nature and timing of some of the interventions in the action plan that evidencing impact may take longer to deliver than the lifespan of the plan. The action plan has therefore always been viewed as the first stage in a longer-term commitment to ensuring improved relationships and behaviour in schools and a decrease in disruptive, violent and abusive behaviours.

The final progress report for the action plan will be published in March 2027. SAGRABIS continues to meet quarterly to monitor progress.