WHOLE SCHOOL BEHAVIOUR POLICY
Dateadopted:1December2015________________
Reviewdate:__________________________________
Signed:MrSWesthead___________(ChairofGovernors)
Signed:MrMDumican_____________(Headteacher)
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STEDMUNDARROWSMITHCATHOLICHIGHSCHOOL
ASpecialistTechnologyandMusicCollege
WholeSchoolBehaviourPolicy
November2015
StaffResponsible:SchoolLeadershipGroup
MissionStatement
Dignity–TorespectthevalueandworkofourselvesandothersaschildrenofGod(Genesis
1:17–CreatedintheimageofGod).
Mission–ToletGodbeknownthroughwordsandactions(Mt7:12–“Doforothers,what
youwantthemtodoforyou”)
Understanding–Torespondtotheneedsofothers(Mt7:7–“Ask,andyouwillreceive;
seekandyouwillfind;knock,andthedoorwillbeopenedtoyou”.)
Nurture–Toallowalltogrowtofullpotential(John15:5–“Iamthevineandyouarethe
branches.Thosewhoremaininme,andIinthem,willbearmuchfruit.”)
Discipleship–TofollowChristinFaith,HopeandLove.(MK1:16“FollowMe.”)
1. Rationale:
Ourschoolseekstosupportthedevelopmentofeachindividualandiscommittedto
providingopportunitiesforspiritual,physical,mentalandculturalgrowthinan
atmosphereofmutualtrust.Weseektoprovideanenvironmentinwhicheffective
teachingandlearningcanoccur,wherethequalitiesoftrust,honesty,fairness,
tolerance,compassion,respectforself,othersandpropertyarevaluedandpursued.
Ourpolicyshouldbeconsideredinthelightoftheschool’sMissionStatementand
seekstoprovideaclearframeworkofwhatisacceptableintermsofbehaviour,
attitudeandactivity.
2. PolicyFormationConsultation
DuringtheformationofthePolicy,bothSchoolCouncilandStaffwereconsulted.
Minoramendmentswereproposedandincluded.
Consultationwason-goingwithPastoralstaffduringtheformulationofthepolicy.
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3. PolicyOrganisation
3.1 Expectations
Itisimportantthatpupilsknowwhatisexpectedofthem,intermsofbehaviour
andattitude.ThisisencapsulatedintheCodeofConductwhichisfoundinall
pupilplannersandiscontainedwithinthestaffhandbook.(Appendix1)
3.2 ClassroomBehaviour
Toachieveaconsistencyofapproachandprovideclarityforourpupils,acodeof
conductforbehaviourwithintheclassroomhasbeenagreed.
Pupilswillbeexpectedto:
• Arriveontimetoalllessonsfullyequippedforwork.
• Arrivewearingcorrect,fullschooluniform.
• Enterclassrooms,onthedirectionoftheteacher,quietlyandsensibly.
• Standattheirplacetobewelcomed/greetedbytheirteacher.
• Remainintheirplaceunlessasked/allowedtomovebytheteacher.
• Listentoandfollowinstructionscarefullyandproperly.
• Raisetheirhandwhentheywishtospeakoransweraquestion.Pupils
shouldnotinterruptateacherwhenhe/sheistalking.
• Treatothersintheclass,(pupilsandteacher)andtheirworkwith
courtesyandrespect.Pupilsmustnotdistractothersfromgettingonwith
theirwork.
• Defiancetowardsamemberofstaffwillnotbetolerated.
• Attheendofthelesson,onlypackyourequipmentawaywhenthe
teacherinstructsyoutodoso.Whentoldtodothis,packawayquietly
andsensiblyandremainatyourplaceuntilyouaredismissed.
Thiscodeofconductis‘generic’andshouldbeseenasaminimumstandard.Subject
areasmaywishtoincludeothermorespecificitems,whicharerelevanttotheir
teachingdiscipline.
Ifpupilsdecideto“break”theagreedcodeofconduct,theymusttakeresponsibility
fortheirownactionsandfaceuptotheconsequences.
3.3 ConsequencesandSanctions
Eachincidentofunacceptablebehaviourwillbeuniqueandwillbedealtwithon
itsmerits.However,itisexpectedthatallsubjectareaswillutilisethesanctions
setoutbelowasbefitstheincident.
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Minorincidentinclassroom:possibleconsequence;verbalwarningbyteacher.
Adjustmentofseatingarrangementforpupilsconcerned.
• Moreseriousincidentorrepetitionofpreviousunacceptablebehaviour.
Finalwarninggiventopupil.30minutelunchtimedetentiongiven–notemade
inplannerforparentalacknowledgement.Thiswillbeservedonthesameday
formorninglessonsandonthefollowingdayforafternoonlessons
• Seriousincident/Failuretoattendlunchtimedetention.
Thepupil(s)willbesetanafterschooldetention.Thisshouldlastbetween40
and60minutes.Anotegiving24hourswarningwillbewritteninthepupil’s
plannerforparentalacknowledgement.
•
Failuretoattendanafterschooldetentionwill,inthefirstinstance,triggera
“lastchance”letterissuedbytheHeadofDepartment.Thiswillstatethat
thepupilhasmissedanafterschooldetentionandwillgivedetailsofthe
dateforwhenthedetentionhasbeenrearranged.Ifthepupilchoosesnotto
attendtherearrangeddetention,theywillbesenthomewithaletter
requestingthattheparentscomeintoschoolat8.30amthefollowing
morningtoresolvetheissue.Thepupilshouldnotbereadmittedtoschool
untilassurancesfromparentregardingcompletionofthesanctionhavebeen
received.*
Staffarerequestedtoenterallinstancesofmisbehaviourontothebehaviour
logofthechildwithintheSIMSsystem.
*Samplelettersattached.
3.4 Detentions
Teachershavethelegalpowertoputpupilsindetention.Parentswillbegiven
24hoursnoticeofanyafterschooldetention.Parentalconsenttodetentionis
notrequired.However,theschoolshouldactreasonablyandtakeinto
consideration
• Thatafterschooldetentionisaserioussanction.
• Thetravelarrangementsforpupilsreliantonhomeschooltransport.
• Theageofthepupilconcerned.
4
•
Wherealunchtimedetentionisapplied,pupilshavesufficienttimetoeat,
drinkandusethetoilet.
3.5 Behaviourinandaroundschool
EnteringandLeavingtheClassroom:
• Pupilsshouldenterandleaveteachingroomsinaquiet,orderlyand
respectfulmanner.Boisterous,loudbehaviourwhenenteringorleaving
aclassroomisunacceptableandshouldbedealtwithappropriatelyby
theclassroomteacher.
• Anattendanceregistershouldbetakenbyteachersatthebeginningof
eachlesson.Thiswillenableustoconfirmthewhereaboutsofallpupils
andreducepostregistrationtruancies.
• Pupilsshouldbeformallydismissedbytheirclassroomteacher.They
shouldremainintheirplacesuntilinstructedtoleave.Staffandpupils
shouldensurethatclassroomsarelitterfree,thatfurnitureiscorrectly
positionedandthattheroomis‘fit’forthenextclass.
• Staffshouldensurethatpupils’uniformisworncorrectlybeforethey
leavetheclassroomattheendofeachlesson.Thisisparticularly
importantatregistrationperiods.Childrenshouldnotputontheir
outdoorcoatuntiltheyhavelefttheroom(weatherpermitting).
MovingBetweenLessons:
• Pupilsmustproceedquietlyandquicklybetweenlessons.Thegeneral
expectationisthattheclassshouldarriveasagroupandwaittobe
instructedtoentertheirclassroom.Obviouslatenessforlessonsis
unacceptableandshouldbedealtwithbytheclassroomteacher.
Dependingondistance,pupilsshouldarrivenolaterthan3-4minsafter
thebell.This,ofcourse,isdependentonstaffdismissingclassesontime.
• Pupilsshouldonlyneedtovisitthetoiletbeforeregistration,atmorning
breakandatlunchtime.Ifpupilsneedtogotothetoiletatothertimes,
theyshouldgainpermissionfromtheirclassteacherwhowillfillinthe
appropriatesectionoftheiruniformcard.
• Movementaroundschoolrequiresco-operationofallconcerned.In
corridors(andunderthecoveredway)pupilsshouldwalk(notrun)onthe
lefthandside.Pupilsshouldnotwalkmorethantwoabreast.There
mustbeaninsistencethatpupilswalkinsidetheschoolbuildings.Pupils
caughtrunningorpushingothersshouldbedealtwithbythestaff
concerned.
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•
Atlessonchangeover,somecorridorsandstairwellsrequirepupilsto
walkinsinglefileonthelefthandsidei.e.–
Ø REstaircase
Ø MFLcorridor
Ø Musiccorridor
Ø Englishcorridorabovecoveredway
Ø Mathsstaircase
Ø Humanitiesstaircase
Ø PE/Gymcorridor
Ø Sciencecorridors
•
•
•
•
Staffareaskedtoinsistthatpupilsbehaveappropriatelyincorridors,
staircasesandwhenmovingaroundschool.Unacceptablebehaviourshould
bedealtwith‘onthespot’byattendantstaff.
During‘changeover’betweenlessons,staffareaskedtoactivelymonitor
behaviouroutsidetheirteachingroomandincorridors.Anyinstancesof
unacceptablebehaviourmustbechallengedanddealtwith.
Onlystaffandprefectsareallowedtousethechapelcorridorasa
thoroughfareduringtheschoolday.Staffareaskedtoimplementthisrule
wheninthearea.
Thereisanexpectationthatpupilswillallowadultstopassthrougha
doorwaybeforethemandwill‘giveway’.Thisispurelyasignofrespectand
mannersexpressedthroughthebehaviourofthepupil.Pushingor‘barging’
throughdoorwaysisunacceptable.
AtBreakandLunchtimes:
• Year9/10/11pupilsonlywillutilisethetwodiningroomsformid-morning
snacks.Thisprivilegeisdependentupongoodbehaviourandonabsenceof
litteronthetablesoronthefloor.
• Years7and8onlyareallowedtospendbreaksandlunchtimesontheyard
betweenArtandMFLandintheareaadjacenttotheByrchalldrive.
• Years9/10/11areallowedtousethemainplayground,andtheScience/Tech
quadrangle.
• AllballgamesMUSTonlytakeplaceonthefencedplayareas(formerlytennis
courts).
• TheareabehindthenewScienceLaboratories,thepatharoundtheMUGA
areforaccessonlyandshouldnotbeusedasaplayarea.
• Theschoolfieldsare“outofbounds”.Thisrulemayberelaxedinthe
summertermdependingonweatherconditions.
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Allfoodmustbeconsumedinthedesignateddiningareas.Pupilseatingtheir
ownfoodoutsidethediningareasmustusethebinsprovided.Pupilsfound
droppinglitterwillbedealtwithappropriately.
4. ReferralProcedures
4.1 Itisobviouslybetteriftheteachercansolvehis/herownproblemsbutifhelpis
required,thenhe/sheshouldaskforitearly.Thereisnothingshamefulinthis,
sinceitshouldberecognisedthatmostteachershaveneededhelpatsometime.
Oftenteachersleaveittoolong,bywhichtimethehelpercandolittlebut
quietenaclassorgroup,onlyforchaostoreignassoonasthehelperdeparts.
Nevertheless,teachersshouldnothesitatetousepunitivesanctions,andnew
teachersmustacceptthisasaconspicuousfeatureduringthe“testing”
exchangesthatgoonwhilerelationshipsarebeingestablished.
Thepracticeofputtingpupilsoutsideaclassroom,wheretheyareeffectively
unsupervisedisNOTacceptable.INONLYMOSTURGENTANDEXTREMECASES,
e.g.grossinsolence,violence,completedisobedience,whichmakeitimpossible
forthelessontocontinue,shouldapupilbeexcludedfromthelesson.
Ifsuchanincidentoccurs,thenthepupilMUSTbereferredtotheHODinthe
firstinstance.
Ifthesituationcannotberesolvedbyutilisingtheexistingprocedureswithinthe
curriculumarea,assistancemustbesoughtelsewhere.PastoralSupportStaff
areavailabletoassistand,inconsultationwiththeteacherconcerned,are
availabletosupportinclassorremovethepupilconcernedfromtheclassroom.
However,incasesofseriousmisbehaviour,amemberofSLTshouldbe
contacted,whowillattendanddecidetheappropriatecourseofaction.
•
4.2 ReferralswithinthePastoralStructure
Allteachersare‘pastoral’teachersandsothedivisionbetweenclassroomand
pastoralresponsibilityisanartificialone;oneusedmainlyforadministrative
purposes.Thereisanexpectationthatallstaffwilltakeappropriateactionto
dealwithincidentswhichtheywitnesswithinthecourseoftheirdailywork.
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4.2.1 PupilsarriveattheSeniorLearningCo-ordinatordoorviaavarietyof
routes
• Referralbyformteacher
§ ReferralbysubjectteacherviaHOD
§ ReferralbyHOD
§ ReferralbyDHT/HT
§ Referralbyotheradult/prefect
TheactiontakenbytheSeniorLearningCo-ordinatorwillvary
dependingonthecircumstancesandnatureoftheoffence.However,
therangeofsanctionscurrentlyinuseis:
i)
Discussionswithpupils
ii)
Simplereprimand
iii)
Formalreprimand
iv)
Formalinterview
v)
Settask–writtenexercise
vi)
Withdrawalofprivileges–lunchorbreakwithanimposition
set
vii)
Formaldetention:afterschoolfor30minutes.Parent
informedbyletter,orbyanoteinthejournal–24hours
noticegiven
viii)
Extendeddetention:afterschoolfor60minutes.Written
workset–parentscontacted.Thissanctionisintendedfor
seriousorpersistentoffenders
ix)
Letterhometoparentsexpressingconcern–parentsaskedto
contactschooltodiscussthematter
x)
Letterhometoparentsrequestingparentalvisit–
appointmentmadeforparentstoseeappropriateSenior
LearningCo-ordinator
xi)
Useofreportcardssignedbyteacher,SeniorLearningCoordinator/parents–for
punctuality/attendance/behaviour/effort/attitude/qualityof
classwork-homework
xii)
ReferraltoDHTbySeniorLearningCo-ordinator–forserious
offencesafterstagedsanctionshavefailedtoproducean
improvement
xiii)
Exclusion–Fixedtermexclusionupto15daysperterm.Pupil
excludedbytheHT.Proceduresfollowedasstatedin
8
xiv)
xv)
xvi)
xvii)
“ExclusionsPolicy”.Sanctionsmaybeappliedonreadmission.
AnIndividualBehaviourPlanisastrategyusedbytheschool
tofocusthestudentsattentiononspecificbehaviourwhich
aregivingcauseforconcern.Thisistimelimitedandis
formallysetupandformallyclosed.Itispreferablethatthe
SLC/ALC,parents,thepupilandamemberoftheSLTare
presentatthesettingupofanIBP.
RespitePlacements:Theseoperatebetweenschoolswithin
the“faithconsortium”.(StPeter’s,StJohnFisher,StMary’s,
DeaneryHighSchool).Eachschoolwillofferasixweekrespite
placementtopupilswhohavefailedtheirIBPandwhoseplace
intheschoolisatrisk.Arespiteplacementmaybepreormid
P.S.P.
PastoralSupportPlanfor16weekstoincludetargetsfor
behaviour,internalandexternalsupport,plannedreview
periods
PermanentExclusion–Onlyappliedwhereallattemptsto
improvethesituationhavefailed(see“ExclusionsPolicy”)and
usuallywhereapupilhasunsuccessfullycompletedaP.S.P.
Howeverapupilmaybepermanentlyexcludedwithoutbeing
onaP.S.P.foraseriousbreachoftheschool’sDisciplinePolicy
ifallowingthepupiltoremainatschoolwouldseriouslyharm
theeducationorwelfareofthepupilorothersintheschool
5. Rewards
5.1 Itisourintentiontorecogniseandtocelebratethesuccessesofouryoungsters
coveringthebroadestrangeofacademicandnon-academicachievements.Our
schoolaimstofindthevarietyofachievementsworthrecognisingandavariety
ofwaysofdoingso.
5.2 Therangeandvarietyofawardscurrentlyinusereflectanethosthatvalues
achievementsincludingacademicexcellence.Theseinclude:
• Verbalpraise
• Writtencommentsonwork
• Thehousepoint/achievementpointsystem
• Awardofcertificatesforattendance,excellenceoreffortinlessons,
schoolcouncilmembership,andotherextra-curricularactivities.(Pupils
selectitemsforinclusionintheirSummativeRecordofAchievement)
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Recognition/presentationatAssemblybyHT/SeniorLearningCoordinator
• Lettersofcommendation–linkedintoachievementasshowninthe
InterimSurvey
• Enhancedstatus:HeadBoy/Girl,HouseCaptains,Prefects,FormCaptains,
YearCouncil,SchoolCouncil
• Extra-curriculartrips/visits
5.3 Thehousepointcompetitionrunsthroughouttheyear.Pupilsareawarded
housepointsforgoodwork,extraeffort,improvementorsimilarachievement.
Thesemarksarerecordedagainstindividualpupilsanddisplayedontheschool
intranet.
5.4 Theschoolseekstoprovideincentivesforpupilstogainhousepoints.Pupilsare
encouragedtorecordhousepointsawardedintheirjournal.Attheendofeach
term,pupilsgainingmosthousepointsineachform/yearreceiveanaward
and/orbecomeeligibleforaprize.
5.5 Thehousewiththehighesttotalofhousepointsattheendoftheschoolyearis
awardedtheCompetitionTrophywhichitholdsfortwelvemonths.
•
6. DisseminationofthePolicy
6.1 Thenewdraftpolicywillbepresentedtoallstaffforcomment.Thiswillbe
placedontheagendasofsubsequentDepartmentandYearTeammeetings.Asa
resultofthesediscussions,appropriateamendments(wherenecessary)willbe
made.
6.2 Theschoolcouncilwillbeinvitedtodiscussandcommentonrelevantsectionof
thepolicy.
6.3 Parentswillbeconsultedviatheschool’swebsite.
6.4 Aftertheconsultationprocesshasoccurred,appropriateamendmentswillbe
madebeforethepolicyispresentedtotheGoverningBodyforcomment.
7. ProceduresforMonitoringandEvaluation
7.1 Asrewardsandsanctionsaffectallstaff,thesuccess(orotherwise)ofthe
systemswillbemonitoredregularlybyallstaffandevaluatedatYearTeamand
departmentalmeetings.Thisaspectofmonitoringandevaluationison-going.
7.2 BehaviourandDisciplinewillberegularlydiscussedatthePastoralManagement
meetings.RecommendationsmadeherewillbeputforwardtoSchool
LeadershipGroup.
7.3 TheDHTwillliaiseregularlywiththeHTandothermembersoftheSchool
LeadershipGrouptomonitortheeffectivenessoftheproceduresandputinto
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effectanychangeswhichwillimprovesystem.Theevaluationprocessisongoing.
8. OtherPolicies
TheSchoolDisciplineandBehaviourPolicyshouldbeconsideredinliaisonwiththe
DrugsPolicy,BullyingPolicy,ExclusionPolicyandRacialAbusePolicy.
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Appendix1
CODEOFCONDUCT
Asmembersofourschoolcommunityweaimtoshow
RESPECTatalltimes
• Foroneself :Prideinyourself
:Punctuality
:Tidinessinuniformandwork
:Truthfulness • Forothers
:Respondrespectfullytorequests
:Listentoothers
:Showsympathyandtolerance
:Useappropriatelanguageandmanners
:(addressteachersasSirorMiss)
:Movequietlyandsensiblyaroundtheschool
• Forproperty :Takecareofschoolproperty
:Keeptheschoolcleanandtidy
:Don’tdroplitterorchewgum
SHOWRESPECTATALLTIMES
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Appendix2
UseofReasonableForce
1. Whatisreasonableforce?
(i) Forceisusuallyusedeithertocontrolorrestrain.
(ii) Controlmeanseitherpassivephysicalcontact,suchasstandingbetweenpupilsor
blockingapupil’spath,oractivephysicalcontactsuchasleadingapupilbythe
armoutoftheclassroom.
(iii) Restraintmeanstoholdbackphysicallyortobringapupilundercontrol.Itis
typicallyusedinmoreextremecircumstances,forexamplewhentwopupilsare
fightingandrefusetoseparatewithoutphysicalintervention.
2.
(i)
3.
(i)
Whocanusereasonableforce?
Allmembersofschoolstaffhavealegalpowertousereasonableforce1
Whencanreasonableforcebeused?
Reasonableforcecanbeusedtopreventpupilsfromhurtingthemselvesorothers,
fromdamagingproperty,orfromcausingdisorder.
(ii) Thedecisiononwhetherornottophysicallyinterveneisdowntotheprofessional
judgementofthestaffmemberconcernedandshouldalwaysdependonthe
individualcircumstances.
Schoolscanusereasonableforceto:
• Removedisruptivechildrenfromtheclassroomwheretheyhaverefusedtofollow
aninstructiontodoso.
• Preventapupilbehavinginawaythatdisruptsaschooleventoraschooltripor
visit.
1
Section93,EducationandInspectionsAct2006
13
•
•
•
Preventapupilleavingtheclassroomwhereallowingthepupiltoleavewouldrisk
theirsafetyorleadtobehaviourthatdisruptsthebehaviourofothers.
Preventapupilfromattackingamemberofstafforanotherpupil,ortostopafight
intheplayground.
Restrainapupilatriskofharmingthemselvesthroughphysicaloutbursts.
School’sApproachtotheUseofForce.
Ourschooldoesnothavea“nocontact”policy.Wetakeourdutyofcareseriouslyand
believeitisourresponsibilitytopreventpupilsfromharmingthemselvesorothers.
Whereitisdeemednecessarytouseforcetocontrolorrestrainapupil,arecordofthe
incidentshouldbemadebythememberofstaffconcerned.Parentswillbeinformedwhen
forceisusedinrelationtotheirchild.
ComplaintsabouttheUseofForce.
•
•
Allcomplaintswillbetreatedseriouslyandwillbethoroughlyinvestigated.
Whereacomplaintismade,theonusisonthepersonmakingthecomplaintto
provetheallegationsaretrue.Itisnotforthememberofstafftoshowthathe/she
hasactedreasonably.
•
Whereacomplaintismade,schoolsmustconsiderthecircumstancesofthecase
beforedecidingiftheincidentwarrantsthepersonconcernedbeingsuspended.
•
Asemployers,schoolshaveadutyofcaretowardemployees.Itisimportantthat
appropriatepastoralcareisprovidedforanymemberofstaffwhoissubjecttoa
formalallegationfollowingauseofforceincident.
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Appendix3
Pupils’ConductOutsidetheSchoolGates–Teachers’Powers
Teachershaveastatutorypowertodisciplinepupilsformisbehavingoutsideoftheschoolpremises.
Subjecttotheschool’sbehaviourpolicy,theteachermaydisciplineapupilfor:
• Anymisbehaviourwhenthechildis:
Takingpartinanyschool-organisedorschool-relatedactivityor
Travellingtoorfromschool
Wearingschooluniform
Insomeotherwayidentifiableasapupilattheschool
• Ormisbehaviouratanytime,whetherornottheconditionsaboveapply,that:
Couldhaverepercussionsfortheorderlyrunningoftheschool
Posesathreattoanotherpupilormemberofthepublic
Couldadverselyaffectthereputationoftheschool
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Appendix4
SearchingandConfiscation
KeyPoints
• Schoolstaffcansearchapupilforanyitembannedundertheschoolrules,ifthepupil
agrees.2
• Headteachersandstaffauthorisedbythemhaveastatutorypowertosearchpupilsoftheir
possessions,withoutconsent,wheretheysuspectthepupilhascertainprohibiteditems.
Theitemsthatcanbesearchedforunderthispowerareknivesorweapons,alcohol,illegal
drugs,cigarettes,matches,lightersandstolenitems.
• Schoolstaffcanseizeanybannedorprohibiteditemfoundasaresultofasearchorwhich
theyconsiderharmfulordetrimentaltoschooldiscipline.
Searchingwithconsent
1. Schoolsarenotrequiredtohaveformalwrittenconsentfromthepupilforthissortof
search–itisenoughfortheteachertoaskthepupiltoturnouthisorherpocketsorifthe
teachercanlookinthepupil’sbagorlockerandforthepupiltoagree.
2. Ifamemberofstaffsuspectsapupilhasabannediteminhis/herpossession,theycan
instructthepupiltoturnouthisorherpocketsorbagandifthepupilrefuses,theteacher
canapplyanappropriatepunishmentassetoutintheschool’sbehaviourpolicy.
3. Apupilrefusingtoco-operatewithsuchasearchraisesthesamekindofissuesaswhena
pupilrefusestostayinadetentionorrefusestostopanyotherunacceptablebehaviour
wheninstructedbyamemberofstaff–insuchcircumstances,schoolscanapplyan
appropriatedisciplinarypenalty.
Searchingwithoutconsent
Ifapupilrefusestocomplywithareasonablerequesttoturnouttheirpocketsoremptytheirschool
bags,theywillbetakenintotheisolationroomandparentscontacted.
WhencanIsearch?
Ifyouhavereasonablegroundsforsuspectingthatapupilisinpossessionofaprohibiteditem.
2
“Allschools”includeAcademies,FreeSchools,independentschoolsandalltypesofmaintainedschools.
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Authorisingmembersofstaff
1. TheHeadteacherwilldecidewhotoauthorisetousethesepowers.Thereisnorequirement
toprovideauthorisationinwriting.
2. Thepersonconductingthesearchmustbethesamesexasthepupilbeingsearched.There
mustalsobeanadultwitnessofthesamesexasthepupilbeingsearched.
Trainingforschoolstaff
Allstaffwhoareauthorisedtoconductasearchofapupilsuspectedofpossessingabanned
item/substancewillhavehadbasictraininginsearchingtechniquesfromourschoolbasedpolice
officer.
Establishinggroundsforasearch
• Teacherscanonlyundertakeasearchwithoutconsentiftheyhavereasonablegroundsfor
suspectingthatapupilmayhaveinhisorherpossessionaprohibiteditem.Theteacher
mustdecideineachparticularcasewhatconstitutesreasonablegroundsforsuspicion.For
example,theymayhaveheardotherpupilstalkingabouttheitemortheymightnoticea
pupilbehavinginawaythatcausesthemtobesuspicious.
Locationofasearch
• Searcheswithoutconsentcanonlybecarriedoutontheschoolpremisesor,ifelsewhere,
wherethememberofstaffhaslawfulcontrolorchargeofthepupil,forexampleonschool
tripsinEnglandorintrainingsettings.
Extentofthesearch–clothes,possessions,desksandlockers
• Thepersonconductingthesearchmaynotrequirethepupiltoremoveanyclothingother
thanouterclothing.
• ‘Outerclothing’meansclothingthatisnotwornnexttotheskin.Outerclothingincludes
hats,shoes,boots,glovesandscarves.
• ‘Possessions’meansanygoodsoverwhichthepupilhasorappearstohavecontrol–this
includesdesks,lockersandbags.
• Apupil’spossessionscanonlybesearchedinthepresenceofthepupilandanothermember
ofstaff.
Thepowertosearchwithoutconsentenablesapersonalsearch,involvingremovalofouterclothing
andsearchingofpockets;butnotanintimatesearchgoingfurtherthanthat,whichonlyaperson
withmoreextensivepowers(e.g.apoliceofficer)cando.
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Ifapupildoesnotconsenttoasearch,thepupilwillbetakentoisolationandparentswillbe
contacted.Ifappropriate,andpossible,theschoolbasedpoliceofficerwillbeinvolvedandwill
advisetheschoolonthenextstepsoftheprocess.
Afterthesearch
Thepowertoseizeandconfiscateitems
• Thememberofstaffcanusetheirdiscretiontoconfiscate,retainand/ordestroyanyitemas
aresultofa‘withconsent’searchsolongasitisreasonableinthecircumstances.Where
anyarticleisthoughttobeaweaponitmustbepassedtothepolice.
• Apersoncarryingoutasearchcanseizeanythingtheyhavereasonablegroundsfor
suspectingisaprohibiteditem(thatisaweapon/knife;alcohol;illegaldrugsorstolenitems)
orisevidenceinrelationtoanoffence.
• Whereapersonconductingasearchfindsalcohol,theymayretainordisposeofit.
• Wheretheyfindcontrolleddrugs,thesemustbedeliveredtothepoliceassoonaspossible.
• Wheretheyfindothersubstanceswhicharenotbelievedtobecontrolleddrugsthesecan
beconfiscatedwhereateacherbelievesthemtobeharmfulordetrimentaltogoodorder
anddiscipline.
• Wheretheyfindstolenitems,thesemustbedeliveredtothepoliceunlesstheseisagood
reasonnottodoso–inwhichcasethestolenitemshouldbereturnedtotheowner.With
regardtostolenitems,itwouldnotbereasonableordesirabletoinvolvethepolicein
dealingwithlowvalueitemssuchaspencilcases.However,schoolstaffmayjudgeit
appropriatetocontactthepoliceiftheitemsarevaluable(iPods/laptops)orillegal
(alcohol/fireworks).
• Anyweaponsoritemswhichareevidenceofanoffencemustbepassedtothepoliceas
soonaspossible.
Tellingparentsanddealingwithcomplaints
Schoolsarenotrequiredtoinformparentsbeforeasearchtakesplaceortoseektheirconsentto
searchtheirchild.
Schoolsshouldinformtheindividualpupil’sparentsorguardianswherealcohol,illegaldrugsor
potentiallyharmfulsubstancesarefound.
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Appendix5
TheUseofIsolationasaSanction
Procedures
Pupilsfindthemselvesplacedinisolationforanumberofreasons.Thesemayinclude:
• Absoluterefusaltocooperatewithstaffrequest.
• Aggressiontowardsanyothermemberoftheschoolcommunity.
• Involvementina‘seriousincident’whileonschoolpremises.
• Persistentdisregardforschoolrulesandprocedures(includingextremesofpersonal
appearance).
Themajorityofplacementsarereactivetospecificschoolsituations.Somehowever,are
proactiveandimposedasahigherrangesanction.
Otherthanfixedtermexclusion,placingapupilinIsolationisthemostserioussanctionwe
haveinour‘armoury’.The‘offence’committedshouldthereforemeritasanctionofsuch
gravity.
Pupilscanonlybereferredbystafftobeplacedinisolation.MembersoftheSLGarethe
only‘gatekeepers’andauthorisetheplacements.Theroomcanonlyaccommodate4
pupilsatanyonetimeand,assuch,admissionneedstobecontrolled.Thegatekeepers
alsoofferconsistencytotheprocessofplacingapupilinisolation.Thereisanexpectation
thateitherallothersanctionshavebeenexhaustedortheincidentissoseverethatthe
immediateremovalfromtheclassroomisnecessary.
Pupilswillusuallyspendbetween1and3daysinisolation.Itisextremelyrareforapupilto
beinisolationforanysingleordoubleperiodunlesstheincidentoccursattheendofthe
schoolday.
Parentsmustbecontactedwhentheirchildhasbeenplacedinisolation.Thisistoexplain
thereasonfortheactionandseekparentalsupporttoensurethereisnorepetitionofthe
offendingbehaviour.
Parentsarecontactedbyletterwhentheirchildisputinisolation.Dependingonthe
circumstances,aparentshouldexpecttobecontactedbyschoolbyphoneorletteror
shouldbeinvitedtoattendaninterviewwiththeSLCandSLG.(Standardtemplate
attached).
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Pupilswhorefusetogointo‘isolation’shouldbesenthomeandexcludedpendingparental
interview.Ifparentscannotbecontacted,thepupilwillremainunderthesupervisionofthe
PastoralAssistant/SLG.Pupilswillonlybereadmittedontheconditionthattheyspendthe
allocatedtimeintheisolationroom.
Pupilswhomisbehavewhileinisolationordonotcooperatewiththememberofstaff
concernedwillbesenthome.
PupilswhomissdepartmentaldetentionsshouldbetreatedinaccordancewiththeWhole
SchoolBehaviourPolicy.
Pupilswhomiss‘pastoraldetentions’shouldbetreatedinthesamemanneras
departmentaldetentions.
Pupilswhomissafterschooldetentionsshouldnotbeplacedinisolationunlessunder
exceptionalcircumstances(discussedwithamemberofSLG).
• Pupilsinisolationwillbesetworkinthecoresubjectsi.e.English,Mathsand
Science.
• TheStudentSupportCoordinatorwillmanagethefacilityandwillensureappropriate
workisavailableforpupilswhofindthemselvesinisolation.HOD’scan,ofcourse
sendspecificworktoisolationforpupilstocomplete,whereappropriate.
• TheStudentSupportCoordinatorwillkeeparecordofpupilswhospendtimein
isolationandwillspeaktoeachpupilindividuallytoascertainthereasonandexplore
strategiestopreventareoccurrence.
• Theisolationroomis‘manned’onarotabasisbySLGandHOD’s.WhereaCover
Supervisorisavailable,theywilltaketheplaceofthepersononrota.
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Appendix6
UniformCode
Girls
*Jewellery,falsenails,nailvarnish,piercingsormakeup(AwatchispermittedbutSMART
WATCHESarenotallowed)
*Recentpiercing’willNOTbeacceptedasareasonforkeepingjewelleryinduringthe
schooldayandtheyMUSTnotbecoveredwithplasters.
•
•
•
•
*Noextremehairstyles.
Hairextensionsarenotallowed.
Hairmustbeonenaturalcolour.
Hairwhichislongerthanshoulderlengthmustbetiedbackwithabobblethatisa
schoolcolour.
Uniform
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
GreenBlazerwithschoolbadge.
Pullover/Cardigan:(ifworn)vneck,plaingreen.(Nottobeworninsteadofa
blazer)
Shirt/Blouse:Plainwhiteshirt(notfitted),worncorrectly(tuckedinskirt),top
buttonmustbefastened
Tie:worntocorrectlength;crestvisiblebelowtiedknot
Skirt:plaingrey,fullypleatedskirtfromwaist,kneelength.
Socks:whiteankleorkneesocksonly,plainblacktights,70denieropaque:no
patterns
Shoes:plainblack.Boots,shoeswithhighheels,blockedheelsorwedgesare
notallowed.Trainersandpumpsarenotallowed.Sportsbrandedfootwear
(suchas‘Nike’)isnotallowed.
Boys
*Boysshouldnotweartheirhairexcessivelylongorshort.Hairlengthmustnotbelessthan
aNo3cut.Extremestylesarenotallowed.Hairgelmustnotbeworn.Hairmustbeone
naturalcolour.Boysmustbecleanshaven.
Uniform
•
•
•
•
•
GreenBlazerwithschoolbadge.
Pullover(ifworn)vneck,plaingreen(Nottobeworninsteadofablazer)
Plainwhiteshirt:worncorrectly(tuckedintotrousers)topbuttonmustbefastened.
Tie:worntocorrectlength,crestvisiblebelowtiedknot.
Trousers:plainblack
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•
Shoes:plainblack.Boots,trainersorpumpsarenotallowed.Sportsbranded
footwear(suchas‘Nike’)isnotallowed.
ForDesignTechnology(BoysandGirls)
•
•
Whitecottoncraftapronforworkshopactivities.
GreenandwhitestripedtabardandwhitecapforFoodTechnology.
ForPhysicalEducation
Allitemsofkitmustbenamed.Yourchild’sinitialsorfirstnamemustbe
embroidered/sewn/orprintedontherighthandsideoftheirpolo-shirtandshorts.
Girls'Kit
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Blackshortswithschoolmotif(indoorandoutdooruse).
Whitepolo-shirtwithschoolmotif(indoorandoutdooruse).
Plainblackfootballsocks(outdooruse).
Plainblackanklesocks(indooruse).
TrainerssuitableforuseonAstro-turf.
Shinpads.
Towel.
Boys'Kit
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Blackshortswithschoolmotif(indoorandoutdooruse).
Whitepolo-shirtwithschoolmotif(indoor).
RedandgreenRugbyshirt(outdooruse).
2pairofblacksoccersocks(1forindooruseand1foroutdooruse).
Trainers-usableforAstro-turf
Footballboots
Towel
Shinpads–forfootballarerecommended.
Recommended
•
•
GumShield
Scrumcap,shoulderpads(Rugby)
OptionalExtrasforBoysandGirls
•
•
Redhoodiewithschoolmotif
Blackjoggerswithschoolmotif
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BoysandGirls
Outsidecoatsorjacketsshouldbeplainblack,withoutanylogosormotifs.Outsidecoatsor
jacketsmustnotbewornanywhereinthebuilding.Incoldweatherhowever,ONLYBLACK
outsidecoatsmaybewornovertheblazeratbreaksandlunchtimes.
Inextremeweather,pupilsmaywearbootsorwellingtonbootswhilsttravellingtoandfrom
school,butwillbeexpectedtobringschoolshoestochangeinto,onceinschool
Pleasenotealso–Casualoutergarments:Hoodedsweatshirtsortracksuittopsarenotpart
oftheSEASchoolDressCode.
*Disclaimer:TheSchoolreservestherighttomakethefinaljudgementonanyofthe
above.
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