‘BEING LGBT IN SCHOOL’

6.3 CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
The code of behaviour is the set of programmes, practices
and procedures that together form the school’s plan for
helping students in the school to behave well and learn well.
The code of behaviour helps the school community to promote
the school ethos, relationships, policies, procedures and practices
that encourage good behaviour and prevent unacceptable
behaviour (National Educational Welfare Board, 2008).
The Code of Behaviour is a requirement of all
schools under the Education (Welfare) Act
(2000). The Guidelines for Schools on Developing
a Code of Behaviour (NEWB, 2008) state that
bullying is unacceptable and that bullying
behaviour will be dealt with in accordance
with the school’s anti-bullying policy.
The Code of Behaviour operates in the
school alongside the student support system
for student well-being as core elements of
the behaviour management system.
A school’s code of behaviour must specify,
amongst other content, the standard of
behaviour to be observed by each student
attending the school; that the standard is
underpinned by the value of respect for self
and others. Name-calling and improper use
of LGBT related language that goes unchecked
can lead to bullying behaviour. Consequently,
by challenging such language LGBT students
feel safer (Kosciw et al, 2014; Hunt &
Jensen, 2006).
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‘Being LGBT in School’