Rules - creating, and communicating

Imagine these contain school rules! (source: wikimedia commons)

Internal school rules are unloved. In spite of that, they (have to) exist. A very practical question is how to draft and communicate them.


I have seen a bit of fighting in schools about rules. The reasons were simple: either the rules were drafted badly, not communicated well, or they were simply too many. (I leave aside the sad case where rules are ignored by both teachers and students in tacit agreement and other similar cases of institutionalised hypocrisy.)


I saw part of the process at Winchester College. I have mentioned do not be seen, do not be heard phone rule at Winchester before. Apparently a related malaise (being shut off) can be linked to using phones and headphones for listening to music. A few people raised concerns about this, and action was taken. I cannot track the whole process, but I am aware of these steps:

1. Headphones were identified as something a problem.
2. Their use was reviewed in light of existing rules, and their spirit.
3. A clarification on their use (oh, England!) was drafted by school leadership.
4. House Prefects (representing students) were consulted and listened to.
5. Housemasters (senior faculty) were briefed and consulted.
6. Housemasters were asked to brief students in their houses.
7. School Faculty will be briefed and the rule will be enforced (expected in future).

Headphones are not the most important educational issue. Still, serious attention was paid to it by the Winchester College leadership in order for the effect to be positive - and that included Second Master and Principal working on this.


Good culture is built on attention to detail. Winchester College has shown some of theirs. I suppose one could take a leaf out of their book.
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Update (evening): I witnessed the reaction to announcement of the rule in one of the houses. Nor enthusiastic, nor supportive, but measured.