Behaviour Management Policy

Good behaviour is a prerequisite of living and working in an international college community, of good teaching and learning and of maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone. Students at Padworth are expected to display high standards of behaviour and take increasing responsibility for self-discipline. Therefore we expect good manners, good behaviour and good will from all members of our community, knowing that high expectations characterise the good school and make a vital contribution to the development of individual self-confidence. We employ a fair and consistent, though suitably flexible, system of rewards and sanctions, which addresses the needs of individual students, as well as those of the whole college community. It is our intention to recognise and appreciate achievement in all aspects of College life through assemblies, classroom rewards, appointments to positions of responsibility and the award of commendations and prizes, but where necessary we will also punish. The healing of the harm done by bad behaviour to the individual concerned and reconciliation with others are at the heart of our behaviour management policy, to which a willingness to forgive is also integral. An individual’s acknowledgement of their fault is clearly a help in this, and owning up to wrongdoing will be taken into account in any punishment given. High standards of behaviour and consideration for other are maintained through:

  • Expectation that all members of  our community, whether staff or students,  will treat each other with respect and kindness
  • Clear expectations of staff, students, parents and guardians as expressed in the Student Agreement
  • Clear, consistent consequences for misdemeanours (see  Rewards  and Discipline Ladder)
  • Reinforcement of expectations in assemblies, house meetings and tutor periods.
  • Promotion of respect, courtesy and kindness in all aspects of College life.
  • Provision of courses that are stimulating, challenging, well prepared and appropriate to all.
  • The College pastoral system involving the Principal, Deputy Principal,  Senior Leadership Team,  boarding staff, teachers, form tutors  and College Nurse.
  • Close communication and involvement with parents and guardians;
  • Periodic INSET for teaching and pastoral staff;
  • Fostering a positive attitude towards College through praise, rewards and attention to the individual progress of a student.

Every student is expected to uphold the good name and reputation of Padworth at all times, whether they are at, or away from, College. Every student is expected to take part conscientiously in classes, tutorials, sports and other extracurricular activities. This involves politely and promptly obeying all directions of staff. Behaviour must at all times show respect for self and others. Rowdy behaviour, harm to self or others, physically or emotionally, theft and damage to property, encouraging others to wrongdoing, are all unacceptable. No one must suffer in silence under unfair or unjust treatment from anyone. There are many to whom one can turn for advice or help to stop such treatment; lists are clearly publicised in the Students’ Handbook.

Rules outlining the behaviour expected of students are contained in the College rules, which are printed in the Students’ Handbook. It is recognised that a small number of students may experience difficulty in maintaining the standard of behaviour expected of them. In such circumstances the Deputy Principal and/or  appropriate SLT member will work closely with tutors, House staff, outside agencies and parents to provide the support and discipline necessary for the student to succeed. Those students who may have an IEP in place, will be monitored accordingly.

The College acknowledges its legal duties in respect of safeguarding and its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to those students with disabilities or SEN.  The College will make reasonable adjustments for managing misbehaviour which is related to disability.  Any genuine religious or belief requirements which may affect a student, for example, when being able to prevent their care, will also be considered.

The policy can be made in larger print or other accessible formats if required.

Safeguarding Duties

All staff are responsible for considering whether any misbehaviour gives cause to suspect whether a student is suffering, or is likely to suffer significant harm.  If such suspicions exist, staff must follow the College’s Safeguarding Policy.

The College will also consider whether continuing disruptive behaviour might be the result of unmet educational or other needs.  At this point, the College will consider whether support systems are needed to be put in place and whether liaising with external agencies is necessary and appropriate.

Expectations

At Padworth, we want students to feel respected and safe at all times. We can only do this if we all work together. We expect students to value other people. All students should show consideration for other people’s property and the environment by always acting in a sensible way.

Padworth expects:

  • Courtesy, understanding, and respect for others at all times, including travelling to and from College.  The reputation of the College must not be adversely affected.
  • That all students should aim to achieve their full potential
  • Students to be organised and punctual, remembering to bring all necessary equipment to the lesson. Prep and coursework should be completed on time.
  • Student Planners to be kept up to date.
  • Appropriate clothes to be worn properly, at all times.
  • Students to care for, and look after, the College buildings and the environment, and the College equipment. Therefore, the chewing of gum is not permitted. Litter should be placed in the bins provided.
  • Students under the age of 18 are not to smoke, as this is illegal and smoking is dangerous to their health and to the health of others.  !8 year-olds with permission to smoke may only do so in the designated area in the Orchard.
  • Students to walk sensibly round the College and leave their bags in designated areas.

Breaches of College Discipline

Exclusion: A student is liable to exclusion for a grave breach of College discipline, for example, a serious criminal offence or some wilful act calculated to cause serious damage to the College or any of its members. Formal exclusion implies that the student’s name will be removed from the roll of the College and reference to the facts and circumstances will be made in response to every request for a reference. All outstanding fees up to and including the term of exclusion shall be payable and any deposit shall be retained by the College.

The Principal is required to act fairly and in accordance with the principles of natural justice and not to expel a student other than in grave circumstances.

Required Removal:  For a serious breach of school discipline falling short of one for which exclusion is necessary, but such that the student cannot expect to remain a member of the College community, the student may be required to leave temporarily or permanently, as an alternative to exclusion.  Subject to payment of all outstanding fees (the deposit being returned or credited to the account) the student will be given reasonable assistance in making a fresh start at another school. A local boarder may be required to leave boarding without necessarily being required to leave the College.

Suspension: A student may be placed under either internal or external suspension for a period of up to a week while a complaint is investigated or as a sanction in its own right. This period may be extended in serious circumstances. College privileges may be withdrawn during the period of suspension at the discretion of the Principal.

Detention and ‘gating’: A student may be placed in detention or may be ‘gated’ where, in the opinion of the Principal or Deputy Principal, either sanction is a reasonable response to a breach of College discipline. The sanctions will form part of the student’s permanent disciplinary record.

Other sanctions: The Principal or Deputy Principal may prescribe and authorise the use of such other sanctions as comply with good educational practice. Such sanctions may include withdrawing student privileges, requiring a student to complete a piece of written work, requiring a student to enter into a behaviour contract with the College, or asking the student to perform menial, but not degrading, community service  chores, such as litter picking, etc. In particular, the Principal may authorise Housemasters and Housemistresses, via the Deputy Principal, to implement appropriate systems to promote good behaviour within each boarding house.

Malicious Allegations against Staff

The Principal will decide to take disciplinary action in accordance with this policy where a student is found to have make a false and malicious allegation against a member of staff.

Where a parent has made a deliberately false and malicious allegation against staff, the Principal will decide whether a required removal from the College is appropriate in the light of their unreasonable behaviour towards the College community.

Possible Sanctions : see Discipline Ladder

  • Involvement of Parent/Guardian
  • Detention
  • Gating (for offences in the boarding house)
  • Report Card
  • Suspension
  • Permanent exclusion

Suspensions and exclusions will be recorded in the confidential Serious Punishment Book kept by the Principal and details will be kept in the student’s personal file.

Immediate possible Support Strategies for the student/s:

  • Counselling /Independent Listener
  • Peer Support – College Leaders
  • Keeping a diary  (ISC)
  • Buddy system
  • Support from appropriate SLT members

Self-Assertiveness sessions via House Staff or Tutors:

  • Encouragement to tell should there be a repeat
  • Frequent and regular monitoring

Rewards

  • Commendations (see Appendix 2)
  • The Commendations Book – via the Principal’s PA
  • Awards at Presentation Day

Appreciation

The Form Tutor and Subject Teachers with their excellent knowledge of the individual student, have a very important role to play in boosting confidence and rewarding students with verbal praise when they have achieved their personal best in class. Tutors/Teachers and Housemasters/Housemistresses will congratulate students on success in work and activities.  Commendation forms may be given to encourage and reward.

Bullying

See Anti Bullying Policy and advice to students in Student Handbook.

Belinda Sumner and Linde Melhuish are the designated Child Protection Officers.

Advice to Staff

Padworth will not tolerate bullying. If bullying is brought to your attention, ask the students to write down what has happened and sign and date their statement if they can, or assist them to see the DCPOS. Ensure that the information is then passed to the DCPOS who will deal with the situation.

Search: We may decide to search a student’s space and belongings, and ask him/her to turn out the contents of pockets or a bag, if we consider there is reasonable cause to do so. The consent of the student will usually be gained.  Clothing will not be searched until it has been removed from the wearer and care will be taken to ensure reasonable privacy.  This will be carried out by The Principal or Deputy Principal, and wherever feasible, another member of staff will be present.  All personal searches will be conducted by a member of staff of the same gender as the student and in the presence of another member of staff.

This policy does not authorise an intimate search or physical compulsion in removing clothing. If necessary, the police would be called.  Parents will be informed as necessary and the College will keep records of all searches carried out, including the results of the search and any follow-up action taken.

Use of restraint

Any use of restraint by staff will be by reasonable and non-injurious means, and will only be used when immediately necessary and for the minimum time necessary to prevent injury to self or others or very serious damage to property. Where restraint is used by staff, this is recorded in writing.  The College does not use, or threaten to use, corporal punishment.  The College has a Use of Reasonable Force to Restrain Students Policy.

Confidentiality

If a student asks to speak to a member of staff about confidential issues, the adult should say the following: “If you tell me something, and I feel someone is at risk of getting hurt in someway, I will have to pass it on.” If the student chooses to disclose sensitive information on the following topics the teacher needs to follow the guidelines below:

1. A child protection issue such as physical, sexual, emotional abuse

  • Listen to student’s disclosure in full
  • If necessary keep the student with you or in a safe place.
  • Inform the DCPOS or the Principal
  • Write up a statement of the disclosure (sign & date/time) as soon as possible and pass to the DCPOS.

2. Sexual behaviour e.g. under age sex, pregnancy scare

  • As above 1-3
  • Do not give individual contraceptive advice
  • The DCPOS will involve the Principal and the College Nurse

3 Substance Misuse (drugs, alcohol)

  • Listen to student’s disclosure in full
  • If under the influence of substances take him/her to a safe place e.g. the House Office, the Sick Bay.
  • Inform the Principal, Deputy Principal or other SLT member.
  • Padworth has a zero tolerance drugs policy.

4. Criminal Activity

  • Listen to student’s disclosure in full
  • Refer to the Principal as soon as possible or in her absence, the Deputy Principal.

5. Self-Harm

  • If a student discloses that s/he or someone else is self-harming, follow the child protection procedures
  • If you become aware that a student may be self harming e.g. cuts on arms, burn marks, inform the College Nurse and the Principal and Deputy Principal.

The Confidentiality of Student Information

Please make sure when speaking to another member of staff or on the phone about a student that you cannot be overheard. Also make sure that any written information or emails on students are not left out for others to view.  Such information must be handed over to the DCPOS.

This policy will be reviewed annually

August 2012

Review date: August 2013

APPENDIX 1

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS

 DURING CLASSES

  • Bring correct equipment and be ready to work
  • Pay attention, be positive and polite
  • Aim to complete all set tasks to the best of your ability
  • Treat the teacher and   students in your classes with respect: there should be no calling out.
  • Mobiles and i-pods may not be used in academic time
  • No food and drink allowed in the classroom, other than small bottles of cold water
  • CORRIDORS: Walk calmly, greet others politely and hold open doors  as appropriate
  • Leave bags only in appropriate places
  • Food or drinks should  only be consumed in the dining rooms

DINING ROOMS

  • Queue in a single file and do not queue jump!
  • Sit at the table and converse with others politely
  • Overseas students should be speaking  in English
  • Clear your table when finished

APPEARANCE

  • Look tidy and  dress appropriately in academic time, showing self -respect and respect for others
  • No tattoos  please
  • No shorts, flip-flops, low cut tops and short skirts (girls), low slung trousers and shorts (boys) are not appropriate in academic time
  • Hats should only be worn outside. (Head scarves for girls for religious observance are permitted)
  • Body piercings are discouraged and should not be visible.

APPENDIX 2

COMMENDATIONS

Commendations are given for especially good pieces of work/ test/ presentations in a subject or for a really good effort, even if the work is not particularly good.

Commendations are also awarded for extra-curricular involvement or for good behaviour.  A Commendation certificate is presented in assembly and the Principal’s Commendations Book signed.  Staff are invited to recommend individual students or small groups.  The following list gives an idea of the criteria which could apply:

  • An exceptional piece of work (for that particular  student)
  • An achievement worthy of special commendation
  • A generous public-spirited act
  • Noteworthy effort in any aspect of  College life
  • Achievement against the odds
  • Evidence of real initiative

Staff who wish to nominate a student should:

  • Inform the student that they are recommending her/him and explain why.
  • Inform the Principal of their recommendation giving the details on the commendations forms located in the Staff Room.

The Principal will then see the student and congratulate him/her. An entry is made in the book which is signed by the student.  Students do value this. Recommendations should not be given too freely but do please make use of this way of rewarding the students.

July 2011

Reviewed September 2012

Next Review September 2013