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 will treat each other with respect and kindness

·         Clear expectations of staff, students and parents as expressed in the Student Contract

·         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, Senior Leadership Team, Senior Housemistress, boarding staff, teachers 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 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.

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

 

  • 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.  18 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

Expulsion: A student is liable to expulsion 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 expulsion 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 expulsion 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.

Requirement to leave: For a serious breach of school discipline falling short of one for which expulsion is necessary, but such that the student cannot expect to remain a member of the College community, the student may be required to leave permanently. 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 appropriate Senior Leadership Team member, 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 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 School, 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.

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.

 

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. Students record their involvement in extra-curricular activities, tutors ensure that these are kept up to date, and tutors/teachers and housemasters/housemistresses will congratulate students on success in their activities, or even just on continued participation in activities.

Bullying:

See Bullying Policy and advice to students in Student Handbook.

Belinda Sumner and Linde Melhuish are the 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 CPOS. Ensure that the information is then passed to the CPOS who will deal with the situation.

 

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 CPOS or the Principal
  • Write up a statement of the disclosure (sign & date/time) as soon as possible and pass to the CPOS.

 

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

  • As above 1-3
  • Do not give individual contraceptive advice
  • The CPOS 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, the Senior Housemistress 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

 

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 an SLT member or the 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 on students is not left out for others to view.  It should be handed over to the CPOS.  

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.

September 2011