School's no touching rule to be reviewed
GoogleA school which has been criticised by parents for bringing in a "no physical contact" rule has said it will be reviewing the approach.
Parents claim some pupils at Philip Morant School in Colchester have been given detentions for hugging or high-fiving their friends since the new guidance was brought in at the start of term.
The author of an online petition raised concerns that "normal, consensual physical interaction" had been removed, and there was an impact on their emotional wellbeing.
Head teacher Stephanie Neill said the school was working with students to "define appropriate, consensual guidelines" and would modify behaviour expectations later this term.
"Our top priority is ensuring our 1,900 students feel safe and comfortable moving around our school site," Neill said.
She explained that the expectation of no physical contact was put in place following "an increase in overly physical behaviour last term that disrupted learning and raised safety concerns", adding that students had responded "brilliantly" to the new rules.
"But we do understand pupils want positive ways to greet and engage with their friends," she added.
"We are currently working with our student leaders to define appropriate, consensual guidelines that reflect a focused learning environment and student wellbeing."
As first reported in the Colchester Gazette, some parents reacted angrily after their children were told of the new behaviour rules in a school assembly.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said the government backed school leaders to tackle disruption through its new national behaviour support offer and other measures.
In 2023, a school in Chelmsford seemingly backtracked after telling parents it "did not tolerate" physical contact including "hugging" and "holding hands".
A few days later, the head teacher wrote to families to clarify the rules.
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