Decision-Making Toolkit & Case Studies

🧰 Decision-Making Toolkit for Headteachers

This toolkit helps Headteachers follow a structured approach when handling behaviour incidents, ensuring decisions are fair, proportionate, and evidence-informed.

🪜 Step-by-Step Behaviour Decision Pathway

  1. Incident occurs – ensure immediate safety
  2. Record initial facts and secure any evidence
  3. Gather witness statements from staff and pupils
  4. Consult key staff (e.g. ALNCo, pastoral team)
  5. Review the pupil’s background and any existing plans
  6. Assess whether alternative strategies are appropriate
  7. Use Sanction Guidelines to determine proportionate response
  8. Document the decision and rationale
  9. Notify parents/carers and issue written confirmation
  10. Plan support or reintegration depending on outcome

✅ Downloadable Checklists

📚 Key Policies & Legal Guidance

📘 Reflective Practice & Peer Case Studies

Making fair and proportionate decisions can be challenging. These anonymised case studies provide real examples of how Headteachers across Wales have applied Sanction Guidelines thoughtfully and reflectively.

Case: Persistent Low-Level Disruption – Year 9 Pupil with ALN

Learner Profile

Year Group: 9
ALN Status: Yes (MLD)
Support in Place: IDP, 1:1 TA, reduced timetable
Behaviour History: Ongoing low-level disruption across three terms

Incident Summary

Pupil frequently disrupted lessons by shouting out, walking out of classrooms, and encouraging peers to misbehave. Existing interventions had limited success.

Considerations Before Decision
Decision Made

Sanction: Fixed-Term Exclusion (3 days)
Reason: Deliberate and sustained disruption, negatively impacting peers’ learning

Follow-Up Support Plan
Reflection from Headteacher
“The process reminded me of the value of collective input and evidence-based reflection. It wasn’t an easy decision, but necessary to reset expectations and support both the pupil and their peers.”
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Exclusion Check List

​Fixed Term Exclusion Check List (Wales)

Exclusions of 5 Days or Fewer

  • Notify parent/carer and/or learner.

  • Notify the local authority and the discipline committee once per term listing all such exclusions.

Exclusions of 6–15 Days

  • Notify parent/carer and/or learner.

  • Notify the local authority and the discipline committee.

  • If the parent/carer or learner requests a review, the discipline committee must meet within 6–15 school days.

  • The committee must inform all parties of their decision within 1 school day.

  • The outcome will either be to uphold the exclusion or reinstate the learner.

    • If the exclusion period has already ended, the record will be cleared if reinstatement is decided.

Exclusions of More than 15 Days

  • Notify parent/carer and/or learner.

  • Notify the local authority and the discipline committee.

  • The discipline committee must meet within 15 school days to review the exclusion.

  • If a request is made by the parent/carer or learner, the review must take place within 6–15 school days.

  • The decision can either be to uphold the exclusion or reinstate the learner.

    • If the exclusion has already passed, the record will be cleared if reinstated.

  • If the learner may miss a public exam, the committee should meet before the exam date, wherever possible.

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