Staff disciplinary procedures: model and examples

Download and adapt our model staff disciplinary procedures, or review your own with our checklist of what to include. See examples of policies from other schools and academy trusts.

Last reviewed on 8 May 2024
Ref: 41538
Statutory/mandatory for:
Maintained schools
Academies
Free schools
Independent schools
Sixth-form colleges
Pupil referral units
Non-maintained special schools
Contents
  1. Download the model procedures for your trust
  2. Base your disciplinary procedures on the Acas code of practice
  3. You can choose how to present your disciplinary procedures
  4. Use our checklist to write or review your own policy
  5. See examples from MATs

Download the model procedures for your trust

Model policy: staff disciplinary procedures (trusts) DOC, 249.0 KB

It's:

  • Approved by Forbes Solicitors and developed in consultation with union NAHT
  • Designed for you to adapt to suit your school’s context

Base your disciplinary procedures on the Acas code of practice

The Acas code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures sets out practical guidance and principles for handling these situations in the workplace.

You'll normally have the same disciplinary procedures for all staff, as explained to us by representatives from ASCL and Community

You can choose how to present your disciplinary procedures

All schools are required to have procedures for addressing staff discipline, conduct and grievances.

Some schools have 1 or 2 documents setting out these procedures in various combinations, and some have separate documents for each.

You need procedures for all 3 topics to meet your statutory obligations, but nothing dictates how they must be presented.

To keep things simple, we have separate articles for each procedure. See also: