Student Charter Wolfert van Borselen School Group
GENERAL
1.
PURPOSE
A Student Charter sets out the rights and obligations of students.
2.
AIM
The Student Charter is intended to clarify the legal position of students.
The aim of drafting such a charter is to:
 prevent problems;
 answer any questions which arise;
 resolve any problems which arise;
 avoid arbitrary decisions.
3.
DEFINITIONS
This charter uses the following terms:

students:
all students enrolled at this school;

parents:
parents, guardians, carers;

teachers:
members of staff with a teaching role;

teaching support staff:
members of staff with a role other than teaching;

personal tutor:
a teacher assigned to act as mentor to a student or group of students
during the school year;

Principal:
the overall head of the Wolfert van Borselen School Group, chair of the
central management team;

head:

deputy head:
one or more members of the central management team who assist the
head of an individual school;

(core) team leader:
member of the management team of an individual school
responsible for a core team of teachers;

(core) team:
a group of teachers teaching students from one or more school years
under the leadership of a (core) team leader;

central management team:
the Principal, the director of finance and administration
and the heads of the individual schools;

school management team:
school;
member of the central management team responsible for an individual school;
the head and the deputy head (or heads) of an individual

school management:

school board:
the authorities: the Rotterdam Education Board (BOOR);

section:
a group within the school;

Student Council: for each individual school a group chosen by and from the students,
which represents the students' interests;

Participation Council:
the body representing the whole school group as defined in Article 3
of the Dutch Participation (Education) Act;

(school) confidential counsellor:
a member of staff specialised in counselling, designated by the central
management team as a confidential counsellor;

school advisory committee
a committee made up of three people established to consider matters
such as alleged incorrect or negligent implementation of the Student
Charter and to advise the central management team. Members of this
committee may not be drawn from the central or school management;

Rotterdam Education Board confidential counsellor:
a person designated by the Education Board to act as a point of
contact for complaints and to ensure that complaints are dealt with in
accordance with the procedure set out in the "Complaints Procedure
for non-denominational Primary and Secondary Education in
Rotterdam”;

test:
4.
the school management team plus the (core) team leaders;
an assessment of ability as set out in paragraph 11.1. This may be
either an oral or a written test.
PROCEDURE
The Student Charter is based on a proposal by the Student Council and drafted in
consultation with the central management team and then submitted to the Participation
Council for comment. This procedure takes account of the provisions of the Dutch
Participation (Education) Act, which means that the parent/student representatives of the
Participation Council can give approval, while the personnel representatives have an
advisory role. Once the Participation Council has given an opinion on the Student Charter it
is finalised by the Education Board.
5.
VALIDITY
The Student Charter is approved for a period of two school years, at the end of which it is
again examined by all parties, amended if necessary, and approved for a further two year
period. This Student Charter was agreed at the Participation Council meeting of January
2008 and is thus valid until 1 August 2010
5.1
The Student Charter may be amended at the request of the Student Council, the
parents’ representatives, the personnel representatives and/or the central
management team. Interim amendments will be carried out in accordance with the
procedure set out in Article 4.
6.
APPLICATION
This charter is binding on:
 students;
 teachers;
 parents/carers;
 teaching support staff;
 school management;
 the Education Board.
7.
PUBLICATION
The Student Charter is published at school. At the beginning of each school year, is issued to
everyone who is new to the school. All students and parents/guardians are notified of any
amendment to the Student Charter. The Student Charter is available on the website of the
School Group. It may also be consulted in the resource centre/library.
7.1
The school regularly publishes the School Guide, in accordance with legal
requirements. The School Guide gives an overview of the aims, content and
organisation of the education offered. Other publications such as the Annual Report
and the School Plan are also available in the resource centre/library. The Student
Guide is available on the website of the School Group.
RULES RELATING TO TEACHING
8.
TEACHERS
8. 1
Students are entitled to expect teachers to make an effort to provide satisfactory
teaching. This relates to areas such as:
 ensuring a reasonable distribution of the syllabus over the lessons;
 presenting and explaining the subject matter in a suitable manner;
 selecting appropriate textbooks;
 giving homework which is appropriate to the subject matter dealt with in class;
 being present on time.
8. 2
Where one or more students consider that a teacher has failed to perform his task
adequately, the student or students should first take this up with the teacher
concerned. If the student feels that the teacher has not responded satisfactorily to the
complaint the matter can be raised with his personal tutor or (core) team leader.
8.3
The school management will respond to the complaint made by the student (or
students) within ten days.
9.
STUDENTS
9.1
The students are obliged to make an effort to ensure that the teaching process runs
smoothly.
This relates to areas such as:
 being on time for lessons and other school activities;
 being actively involved in the lesson;
 behaving in a way that does not disturb other students;
 behaving in a reasonable manner;
 having with them everything required in the lesson, such as text books, exercise
books, pens etc.
9.2
Any student whose behaviour disturbs or prevents the smooth running of the lesson
can be required by the teacher to leave the room.
10.
SENDING OUT
When a student is sent out of the class he must take his belongings and report immediately
to the appropriate room. If no supervisor is present the student should report to the
caretaker, or an alternative person as indicated (e.g. the team leader). At the end of the
lesson the student must report to the teacher who sent him out.
11.
TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS
11.1
The subject matter taught may be tested in a number of ways:
 practice tests; the grades for these tests do not count towards the report grade;
 oral or written tests (overhoring);
 tests (repetities);
 progress tests;
 (interim) exams;
 partial (interim) exams;
 exams;
 practical assignments;
 coursework assignment;
 reports;
 book reviews;
 Practicals;
 presentations;
 essays and written assignments;
 projects.
11.2
Repetitie tests and/or progress tests must be announced at least five school days in
advance. Practice tests or overhoring tests do not have to be announced in advance.
11.3
For every test the weighting of the grade for the report grade
must be explained in advance.
11.4
The way in which the end of year report grade is determined in the senior section of
the mavo (intermediate general secondary education) and the 2nd phase of (t)havo
((bilingual) higher general secondary education) and (t)vwo ((bilingual) pre-university
education) is set out in the PTA (Programme of Testing and Completion) and the
“Pass standards”. These documents are issued to all students in the 2nd phase. The
”Programme of Testing and Completion” and the “Pass standards” can be consulted
on the website of the School Group.
11.5
An overhoring test relates to the subject matter covered in one or more lessons and
can be given without prior notice. An overhoring test not announced in advance
relates to the homework given in the previous lesson. An overhoring test may be
either a written or an oral test.
11.6
A test may only relate to the subject matter dealt with at least two days previously.
There should be a reasonable relationship between the subject matter to be learnt
and the test.
11.7
A test which is a continuation of a previous test can only be given if the previous test
has been discussed and the grade or result has been given, and where the student
has been able to look at how the test was assessed.
11.8
On any one day a student may only be given a maximum of:
 two repetitie tests or (partial) interim exams, or
 one repetitie test and one overhoring with prior notice, or
 three overhoring tests announced in advance, or
 three unannounced overhoring tests
. Where a student is retaking a test or catching up on a missed test it is possible to
deviate from this rule.
11.9
The teacher must inform students of the result of a written overhoring test within five
school days. For a repetitie test or a (partial) (interim) exam the time limit is ten
school days and for the assessment of projects, reports, book reviews, written
assignments etc. fifteen school days. A teacher may only deviate from these times
in consultation with the head or the (core) team leader.
11.10
A student is entitled to an explanation of the way in which a test has been graded
and is also entitled to discuss a test or other assignment for which a grade has been
awarded.
11.11
The grade awarded for a piece of school work must not be less 1.0 and may not
exceed 10.0. The RISS has a different grading scale. The grades for IGCSE are
from U to A* and for IB from 1 to 7.
11.12
A student who does not agree with the assessment of a test should first complain to
the teacher.
11.13
If the teacher’s response is not satisfactory the assessment of the test can be
submitted to the (core) team leader or the (deputy) head.
11.14
A student who for reasons accepted by the teacher or the school management has
missed a test is entitled to make it up within one month.
11.15
It is up to the student who has missed the test to take the initiative to make it up.
11.16
Missed tests and assignments which count towards a grade or assessment must
always be made up, unless the school management decides otherwise.
11.17
Missed tests cannot be graded.
11.18
If a student fails to comply with the provisions of 11.15 the school management will
decide on the appropriate sanction. In contrast to the provisions set out in 11.17,
after consultation with and approval by the school management, a teacher can
award a 1 for missed school work.
11.19
A student caught cheating in any way will be awarded a 1.
11.20
When a test as set out in Article 11.1 is to be seen as part of the teaching
programme the following must be made clear in advance:
- the standards to be met by the work;
- the weighting factor to be accorded to the grade;
- the date by when it must be handed in;
- what will happen if it is handed in late.
11.21
The provisions set out in Article 11 are subordinate to the provisions in the for mavo,
(t)havo and (t)vwo exam regulations.
11.22
The exam regulations will be issued to all students in years 3 and 4 mavo, 4 and 5
(t)havo and 4,5 and 6 (t)vwo by 1 October of the corresponding school year at the
latest. The exam regulations are also available on the website of the School Group.
12.
HOMEWORK
12.1
The teachers teaching a particular class must ensure a reasonable workload across
all subjects for work and homework. This should take account of projects and other
assignments.
12.2
A student who has been unable to complete his work or homework should inform the
teacher before the start of the lesson. The student must give the teacher a note from
his parents/guardians explaining why the work or homework could not be done.
12.3
If the teacher considers that the reasons given by the parents/guardians for not doing
the work or homework are not acceptable, the matter should be submitted to the
(core) team leader.
12.4
If a student is unable to produce a note from his parents/guardians explaining why the
work or homework has not been done and is also unable to give an adequate
explanation of why it has not been done, the teacher can send the student out of the
lessons, especially where this has happened before.
12.5
If a lesson is cancelled the work or homework given is automatically postponed until
the next lesson in that subject. This also applies to tests. A different decision may be
made in consultation with the (core) team leader.
12.6
A student taking part in homework classes or extra hours to make up work is obliged
to attend.
13.
REPORTS
13.1.
Reports are issued three times per school year. They give the student an overview of
his achievement for a given period in all subjects for which grades or assessments
are available. The report is addressed to the students and the parents/guardians.
13.2
In all cases figures up to 0.49 will be rounded down and figures of 0.50 and above will
be rounded up. The RISS uses only whole numbers (see 11.11).
13.3
The report grade is calculated by applying a weighting factor to the grades. The
teacher can only choose a weighting factor of 1, 2 or 4.
13.4
The teacher will inform the students in advance how the report grade for the subject
is calculated.
13.5
A report grade may be not be determined on the basis of a single test or assignment.
An exception is made for subjects completed in a particular year during the Second
Phase. For these subjects the grade on later reports and/or the final report is the
same as the final grade for that subject or partial subject.
»
13.6
The test programme (number and type of tests, weighting) for the subject group is set
out in the subject group agreements. All teachers must keep to these agreements.
14.
PASSING AND REPEATING A YEAR
14.1
The standards to be met by a student in order to progress to the next year must be
clearly stated in advance, preferably at the start of the school year.
14.2
Every school year parents and students have access to the "Pass Standards" and
the General Conditions for moving to the next year and for the final report discussion
procedures. This information is available on the website. Parents may also request a
printed copy of this information.
15.
DIFFERENT EDUCATION AS A RESULT OF SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT
15.1
If the report discussions result in a negative decision (i.e. the student cannot move to
the next year) two recommendations may be made for the student’s future school
career.
The first relates to the school/department in which the student can continue his
education.
The second relates to the year in the department/school in which the student can
continue his education.
In principle these recommendations are not binding.
However, if these recommendations are supported by a two thirds majority they do
become binding. The student (and his parents/guardians) are strongly advised to
follow this decision. (See the General Conditions for moving to the next year and the
final report discussion procedures.)
15.2
A student may not repeat the same year twice or repeat two consecutive years.
. In such a case the school management is authorised to make a compelling
recommendation for other schooling. The student (and his parents/guardians) are
strongly advised to follow this decision.
15.3 If the student (and his parents) are not prepared to follow the recommendation
referred to in 15.1 and 15.2 voluntarily,
the Principal, taking account of the binding recommendation made by the teachers
meeting, or the school management will take the decision to exclude the student. It is
possible to appeal against this decision. Articles 28.13 to 28.16 of the appeals
procedure apply in this case.
16.
LATENESS AND ABSENCE
16.1
The central management team establishes a procedure for students who are late or
absent. The proposed procedure is submitted to the Participation Council for
approval.
16.2
Following approval by the Participation Council the procedure is incorporated into the
Student Charter. The procedure is published in the School Guide.
16.3
Interim changes to the procedure relating to lateness and absence are only possible
with the approval of the full Participation Council.
17.
ATTENDANCE
17.1
Students are obliged to follow the timetable set out for them.
17.2
Based on the personal timetable of each individual student, the student is obliged to
be at school from the beginning of his first lesson until the end of his last timetabled
lesson on any given day. Only in exceptional cases (see the chapter on School
Rules in the School Guide of the Wolfert van Borselen School Group) will it be
possible to diverge from this rule.
»
17.3
Teachers are expected to be present in the classroom at the start of the lesson.
During the lesson teachers will remain in the classroom, unless there are exceptional
circumstances.
RULES RELATING TO THE SCHOOL AS AN ORGANISATION AND A BUILDING
18.
FREEDOM AND EXPRESSION OF OPINIONS
18.1
Everyone is entitled to express his opinion at school, provided it is not of a
discriminatory nature.
18.2
Anyone who considers himself to have been insulted, either orally or in writing, can
submit a complaint to the school management.
18.3
The school management will determine the validity of the complaint. The school
management will endeavour to mediate in the conflict. Under the terms of the School
Rules this may result in sanctions being imposed.
18.4
In the event of a serious offence the Principal or the head of the individual school can
implement measures.
19.
FREEDOM OF APPEARANCE
19.1
Everyone is entitled to freedom of appearance, taking into account the provisions set
out in 19.2.
19.2
The school can only impose or forbid certain clothing where questions of suitability,
safety and/or general decency are raised. Clothing likely to provoke discrimination is
forbidden. (See also the School Rules of the School Group.)
20.
ORDER
20.1
The central management team can establish new School Rules at the beginning of a
school year. Changes in the School Rules are submitted to the Participation Council
for approval.
20.2
Once approved the School Rules are incorporated into the Student Charter and
included in the School Guide, which is made available annually to students and
parents/guardians on the website. On request the School Guide is also available in
printed form.
20.3
»Interim changes to the School Rules are only possible with the approval of the full
Participation Council.
20.4
All pupils are obliged to take their turn helping to clean the hall. Where this turn
coincides with a test, the test should be done first.
21.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
21.1
Complaints relating to sexual harassment are covered by the Complaints Procedure
for non-denominational Primary and Secondary Education In Rotterdam. This
complaints procedure is published in the School Guide.
21.2
Any student who is unhappy about sexual harassment by a student or students or a
member or members of staff can turn initially to the school confidential counsellor. If
necessary or desirable he may also consult the school advisory committee .
21.3
Every five years the central management team establishes a procedure setting out
specific measures aimed at preventing sexual harassment within the school
community.
21.4
This should be done within half a school year of the date of the agreement of the
Student Charter.
21.5
Once approved the procedure is incorporated into the Student Charter.
21.6
Interim changes to the procedure relating to sexual harassment are only possible with
the approval of the full Participation Council.
22.
SCHOOL MAGAZINE / WEBSITE
22.1
The school magazine is primarily aimed at students, but is also available for other
groups. Students may also use the website as a “school magazine”.
22.2
If required the school magazine editorial team can establish a set of rules and
regulations.
22.3
In principle the management team will not amend any article in the school magazine
or contribution by students to the website, nor will it ban the publication of any edition
of the school magazine or any contribution to the website. However, the central
management team is entitled to diverge from this position, and will explain any such
decision if required..
«
22.4
A student may not be obstructed by any of the categories of people named in Article
6 as a result of his activities in the school magazine editorial team or for the website.
22.5
A student who works on the school magazine or the website during a lesson must
ensure that he catches up on any missed work or tests. The student must inform the
teacher of his absence well in advance of the lesson and it is the student’s
responsibility to ensure that he makes up for any work missed.
23.
NOTICE BOARDS
There is a notice board which may be used by the Student Council, the school magazine
and any other student committees, without the need for prior approval, to display information
and notices of a non-commercial and non-discriminatory nature. Notices with a commercial
purpose can only be displayed with the approval of the management team.
24.
STUDENT COUNCIL
24.1
The Student Council will be allocated a permanent room, if possible, but as a
minimum a lockable cupboard.
24.2
The central management team will allocate a budget for Student Council activities.
This budget can be used to cover the cost of printing and of equipment and other
materials. Naturally the Student Council may make use of the school facilities, but
permission must first be sought from the school management team.
24.3
With the approval of the school management, Student Council activities may also
take place during school hours.
24.4
Members of the Student Council may only be excused from lessons for Student
Council activities with the agreement of the school management.
24.5.
All students can put themselves forward as candidates for the Student Council or the
Participation Council. The electoral procedures and the rights and obligations are set
out in the rules and regulations of these bodies.
24.6
A student may not be obstructed by any of the categories of people named in Article
6 as a result of his/her activities in the Student Council.
25.
STUDENT COUNCIL MEETINGS
25.1
The Student Council is entitled to discuss matters which concern the school and
to use school facilities for its meetings.
25.2
Meetings of the Student Council during school hours will be planned in
consultation with the school management. The students are responsible for
ensuring that they catch up on any work or tests they have missed.
25.3
The school management must make a room available for a meeting of the School
Council.
25.4
At the end of any activity organised by the Student Council
the room made available must be left in good order.
25.5
Student Council meetings are public meetings.
26.
STUDENT REGISTRATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY
26.1 The school has established regulations governing privacy. These regulations define
matters such as what information can be stored about students and personnel, rights
of access, etc..
The regulations governing privacy within the Wolfert van Borselen School Group are
available for consultation at school and can be obtained from the Principal or the head
of an individual school.
27.
IMPOSITION OF PUNISHMENTS
27.1
Teaching staff may impose a punishment on a student.
27.2
Non-teaching staff may, as part of their job, be required to act in a supervisory
capacity. On this basis teaching support staff may impose a punishment on a student.
In such a case the non-teaching member of staff must always contact the head of
department .
27.3
A student is entitled to appeal against a punishment imposed on him as set out in
Article 29 and following of this Charter. The punishment will be postponed pending
the appeal.
28.
PUNISHMENTS
General
28.1
Corporal and physical punishment are prohibited.
28.2
Any punishment must be based on a reasonable relationship between the level of
punishment and the seriousness of the offence. Where possible there should also be
a link between the nature of the offence and the type of punishment imposed.
28.3
It must be made clear for which offence the punishment is being imposed. See also
the School Rules.
28.4
The practical implementation of a punishment must take account of the student's
capabilities.
28.5
Only a member of the school management is entitled to exclude a student from
certain or all classes.
Exclusion procedure
28.6
In the event of a serious violation of the rules, or repeated violation of the rules the
Principal may exclude a student, and thus deny him access to the school. His reasons
for so doing must be explained.
28.7
The decision to exclude a student will be notified in writing to the student concerned
and, where the student is under 18, also to the parents/guardians.
28.8
In the case of an exclusion lasting longer than one day the Principal will inform the
schools inspectorate and the Education Board in writing.
Expulsion procedure
28.9
In the event of the rules set out in Articles 18 to 20 of this Student Charter being
violated so seriously that a student's continued participation in the education offered
is considered undesirable or impossible the Principal, after consultation with the
director of the Rotterdam Education Board, may decide that a student should be
permanently excluded from school.
28.10 The Principal will only decide that a student should be permanently excluded once the
student,
and where the student is under 18 also the parents/guardians, have
had the opportunity to be heard.
28.11 A student liable for compulsory education may only be expelled after consultation with
the schools inspectorate and provided another school will agree to accept him.
28.12 The student may be excluded pending this consultation. The Principal will inform the
inspectorate in writing, and giving his reasons, of the decision to expel a student. The
department responsible for monitoring compulsory education must also be informed.
28.13 The decision to expel a student will be notified in writing to the student concerned
and, where the student is under 18, also to the parents/guardians. The reasons will be
explained. They will be informed that an objection may be lodged.
28.14 Within six weeks of the date of the letter informing him of the expulsion the student,
and where the student is under 18 the parents and guardians, can lodge an objection
with the Appeals Committee on exclusion, admittance and expulsion of the Rotterdam
Education Board.
28.15 As quickly as possible, but at the latest within four weeks the Appeals Committee will
make a decision regarding the objection.
28.16 The Principal can deny the student access to the school pending the result of the
appeal.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE STUDENT CHARTER
29.
RIGHT OF COMPLAINT
29.1
In the event of an alleged incorrect or negligent implementation of the Student
Charter anyone may complain to the person he considers responsible for this and
request that matters be amended to comply with the Student Charter.
29.2
Where a student's complaint does not receive a satisfactory response the student
should inform his personal tutor. The personal tutor then has three school days to act
as mediator.
29.3
Anyone from any of the categories listed in Article 6 whose interests have been
affected by decisions made by the staff, the school management or the Education
Board may have recourse to the "Complaints Procedure for non-denominational
Primary and Secondary Education in Rotterdam”. This is held by the head, where it is
available for consultation.
30.
APPEALING TO THE APPEALS COMMITTEE
30.1
Appeals can only be made in relation to matters included in the Student Charter . It
is not possible to appeal against matters laid down by
law.
30.2 The Rotterdam Education Board confidential counsellor acts as the point of contact
for complaints.
30.3
Before the appeal is actually dealt with, the Rotterdam Education Board confidential
counsellor examines the situation to see whether a solution can be achieved through
mediation.
30.4
Complaints and disputes are dealt with in accordance with the "Complaints
Procedure for non-denominational Primary and Secondary Education in Rotterdam”.
Agreed by the central management team,
»Agreed by the Participation Council,
Rotterdam,
For the central management team of the
Wolfert van Borselen School Group
R. Fens
Principal