ABSTRACT
The role of the investigating officer is to produce a fair and objective report, setting out the evidence in a balanced way, in order that a decision can be made as to whether there is a case to answer at a formal disciplinary interview. The role of the ‘interviewing officer’ (normally the headteacher) is to hear the evidence, question the parties, and reach a decision on the facts, whether the facts amount to misconduct and, if so, whether a disciplinary sanction is appropriate. A formal disciplinary interview convened under the school’s disciplinary procedure, is likely to provide for a structured process, with timescales, whereby:
• the investigating officer presents the case; • the teacher and representative have the right of reply; • there is opportunity for questioning by the interviewing officer
at either stage; • the investigating officer sums up; • the teacher/representative sum up; • a decision is made.
