The Holy Cross School Behaviour Policy & Procedure Procedure No: HXS / BE1 Review Date: January 2014 Effective date: July 2008 Revision History Rev. No. Effective Date Description Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by July 2008 JD and MU Governing Body 1 July 2012 MU Governing Body Mr T Gibson Mr T Gibson 2 September 2013 Minor changes to Policy MU LMT Mr T Gibson Page 1 of 7
Policy Our Behaviour Policy is designed in such a way that it follows the principles set out in our Mission Statement and Home School Agreement (Appendix A). Whilst we aim to foster an atmosphere in which students may reach their full academic potential and also develop as individuals, we recognise that there will be occasions when behaviour falls below the high level we are trying to achieve. Therefore, clear guidelines for what may happen if behaviour is unacceptable are essential. Holy Cross students are expected to be responsible for their own behaviour. They should have respect for themselves, respect for others and also for the environment in which they work. This is a Catholic School and students are reminded of Christ s message, Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another John 13.34. This will be shown by high standards of behaviour, effort, punctuality, classwork, homework, organisation, attendance and uniform. Where a student's behaviour does meet with expectations, this should receive a positive comment. Aims The school will not be successful if it works in isolation. We must maintain strong links with the home and parish to make a difference to the lives of the young people entrusted to our care. We aim to: Provide a supportive environment that enables effective teaching and learning; Create a community which is inclusive based on mutual respect; Promote gospel values and the teachings of the Catholic Church; Create an atmosphere where there is consistency of expectation and consequences. Promoting good behaviour enables high standards of teaching and learning to be achieved. This policy statement outlines the ways in which we will manage behaviour positively. Rewards Procedure Praise and appreciation should be expressed to give encouragement and positive reinforcement. Our present rewards system includes: verbal praise, either personal or public Merit marks and Achievement Certificates in Year 7-9 Commendations at Year 10-13 then a letter home letters home for good progress shown positive comments in Student Planners, exercise books, and students work transfer to higher sets in some subjects recognition at assemblies prefect status good references How is a high standard of behaviour achieved? Respect for oneself This is shown by a positive and active involvement in classwork, homework and school life. Inside the classroom all those present should promote the learning process. Page 2 of 7
Student Behaviour: Lesson Expectations Students should: arrive for lessons on time enter quietly and sit down when asked to do so by the member of staff concerned ensure they are fully equipped for the lesson do not move around the classroom without the permission of the teacher raise their hands before speaking and speak when invited to do so by the teacher listen and follow instructions first time leave classrooms tidy at the end of the lesson e.g. tuck chairs in, re-arrange any furniture which has been moved, leave no litter must not write or draw on furniture or equipment, i.e. no graffiti move around the buildings in an orderly way carry correctly completed Student Planners keep exercise books and files neatly - no scribbling on covers A student: may receive a verbal warning may receive a written warning may be removed by Senior Management to St. Theresa s Student Support Area for a relevant period of time. A one hour detention 1 will take place the following day. Parents/guardians will be informed. may be removed without warnings being given should the disruption be serious enough may receive Saturday Morning Detentions or fixed term exclusions for serious or repeated incidents Unacceptable Behaviour Unacceptable behaviour includes - behaviour which prevents learning from taking place behaviour which places the student or others in danger bringing into school any harmful or illegal substances bullying (the school has an anti bullying policy) deliberate damage to property theft The following points are included for clarification of the above and must be adhered to by all members of the school community. Failure to comply with the following will most probably result in a fixed term, and possibly even, a permanent exclusion. Students bringing illegal substances on to the premises will be excluded and this may be permanent. Students must never bring onto the school premises any type of weapon, in particular any type of knife. This also applies to travel to and from school. Any form of bullying and intimidation is expressly forbidden. Students must never instigate or take part in any physical or mental abuse of other students. Any form of racial abuse or harassment is expressly forbidden. Students must never instigate or take part in any physical or mental abuse of other students on the grounds of gender, race, culture, or religious belief. Any physical or verbal abuse of staff or the use of abusive language in response to a request from a member of staff is expressly forbidden. Page 3 of 7
Responses to unacceptable behaviour Will be investigated thoroughly and records kept. May result in the use of the callout rota and a student being withdrawn from a lesson and placed in St Theresa s Student Support area May result in a phone call home Parents/guardians may be invited in to school to discuss the behaviour of the student concerned. Sanctions which may be applied include: withdrawal from school activities, visits or journeys lunchtime detention early morning / after school detention 1 following in most cases, a written warning given on the previous day being put on report withdrawal from lessons being asked to sign a written agreement about future behaviour serious or repeated incidents may result in Saturday Morning Detentions, being placed in St. Theresa s Student Support area or fixed term exclusions If a student does not respond to a number of reasonable strategies and to reasonable expectations, or indeed if a student is involved in a serious incident, the may permanently exclude the student concerned. Homework Students are encouraged to plan out their homework and coursework. Students should always write homework in their planner and include the deadline by which the work has to be handed in. Parents/guardians should sign the planner each week to show that they have seen it. If homework is not completed: Parents/guardians may use the Student Planner to write an explanation if there is a good reason why a child was unable to complete their homework. The teacher should be told before or at the beginning of the lesson The teacher may record non-completion of work in the Student Planner so that parents/guardians may see it. The teacher may keep the student in detention at break or lunchtime, without notice; or before / after school to complete the work notice will be given. If there are serious lapses in a student s record for completing homework, the matter will be referred to the relevant Head of Department. Serious or repeated incidents may result in Saturday Morning Detentions. Respect for others and their culture All members of the school community should be treated with respect. This is shown by the way that we speak to each other, being courteous, well mannered and by showing regard for the feelings of others. incidents will be treated seriously and investigated attempts will be made to settle disputes in a reasonable way 1 Detention may take place on the same day with a phone call to parent/guardian Page 4 of 7
both sides in a dispute may be brought together under supervision to see whether working relationships can be restored through reconciliation. Serious or repeated incidents may result in Saturday Morning Detentions Respect for the environment Not dropping litter and refraining from writing graffiti on walls and furniture will help maintain a pleasant working environment. The School s, other students and one s own property should be used responsibly. Any theft or damage should be reported to the nearest member of staff. Incidents of deliberate damage will be investigated thoroughly. Any student found wilfully damaging the environment would be expected to put right the damage which has occurred and be subject to a significant sanction. Serious or repeated incidents may result in Saturday Morning Detentions Attendance and Punctuality Good attendance and punctuality are essential for good learning. They are also essential skills for later life. Students who are late are recorded as late and those that do not have a good reason are put in a school detention. If a student is late to school they need to sign in with the School s Attendance Officer. If students are late or do not attend: Parents/guardians should telephone the school in the morning on the first day of their child s absence. Any absence needs to be explained, on return to school, by a letter from parents/guardians. Parents/guardians should contact the school again if an absence is more than three days. Students who are late will be given a detention 2. Persistent lateness may result Saturday Morning detention On return to school, it is the student s responsibility to seek advice on completing any work missed. If a student is late to class, she must catch up on work missed. The subject teacher may give a break or lunchtime detention in order to ensure that this is done. Serious lapses in punctuality will be referred through the Form Tutor to the Director of Year, and possibly to the Educational Welfare Officer. We strongly discourage parents from taking their children out of school for holidays or family outings during the school term. In most cases, unless there are exceptional circumstances, these will count as an unauthorized absence. Only the may authorise absence. Uniform and Appearance Only with the co-operation of parents can a high standard of personal appearance be maintained. All students are expected to wear correct school uniform as it plays an important part in establishing a community spirit and encourages students to take a personal pride in their own appearance. They are expected to wear it on the way to and from school each day. The school expects that the appearance of all students will reflect credit on the individual, the family and the school itself. Indoor wear School blazer compulsory School Skirt knee length (summer skirt, Easter to October half term) 2 Detention may take place on the same day with a phone call to parent/guardian Page 5 of 7
Green School Jumper with school colours and white blouse / shirt Shoes plain black formal school shoes (trainers and ballet style pumps are not appropriate) Tights or socks plain black, white or neutral Outdoor wear Plain jackets or coats no logos / no suede, leather or denim or denim look alike General Hair colour and style must be appropriate for school No jewellery (except for one small stud in each ear lobe) no other piercing allowed No make up False and painted nails not allowed Coats and other outdoor clothing may not be worn in school Bags must be plain, waterproof and a suitable size to accommodate school books fashion bags, denim bags or denim look alike bags not allowed The correct uniform must be obtained. There are ways in which the school can offer advice or help in cases of serious financial difficulty Jewellery will be confiscated. Parents/guardians may have to collect this from the School office. Students will be sent to the School office to change into second hand uniform Students arriving at school in inappropriate footwear may, in the first instance, be detained during break and lunch time. As a general rule students who flout the rules regarding uniform may be given detentions, or work in the Inclusion area, until a concern about appearance has been resolved. Parents/guardians will be contacted if this is the case. Persistent offenders will be given an automatic detention either after school or on a Saturday Morning. Electronic Devices More and more students have access to expensive equipment. If they bring any equipment into school, it should be kept in lockers and the student is responsible for it. Parents are advised that the school cannot be responsible for property brought on to the school premises. Any student bringing an electronic device into school is responsible for ensuring that the device is switched off and not on display during school hours. If this does not happen Staff will confiscate the phone/device if they are seen in school and hand them to the s PA. First offence: Students will collect their phone/device at 3.45 pm. Second offence: Students will remain in detention until 4.45 pm when their phone/device will be returned Third offence: Students will have to come into school on Saturday morning at 08.25 in full school uniform when their phone/device will be returned. In the interim they will be offered the use of a basic school mobile phone for emergency use only. Fourth Offence: Students will attend a Saturday morning detention in full school uniform from 08.25 to 11.00 when their phone/device will be returned. In the interim they will be offered the use of a basic school mobile phone for emergency use only. Page 6 of 7
Appendix A Home-School Agreement Parents /Guardians will: Support the religious ethos of The Holy Cross School as a Roman Catholic School; Encourage their children in the practice of prayer and love of God; See that their children go to school regularly, on time, and properly equipped; Support the School s policies and guidelines for behaviour and discipline; Support their children in homework and other opportunities for home learning; Monitor and sign their child s school planner; Attend Parent/Teacher Consultation evenings to discuss their child s progress; Get to know about their child s life at school; Inform the school promptly of serious matters affecting their child s behaviour or work; Respond to concerns raised by members of staff. The School will: Foster the Catholic ethos among staff and students of the School whilst recognising and respecting those of other faiths within the community; Provide and environment so that each student can achieve her true potential; Contact Parents/Guardians if there is any problem with attendance, punctuality or persistent poor behaviour or any other concerns; Send home progress reports for each student as well as an end of year report; Set, mark and monitor homework and the School planners; Provide facilities for students to do homework in School; Arrange Parent/Teacher Consultation Meetings, during which the progress of the students will be discussed; Keep Parents/Guardians informed about school activities via the Website, Parent Mail, regular letters home and notices about special events; Provide a safe and supportive environment in which students can work; Provide opportunities for Parents/Guardians to be involved in the life of the school. Students will: Work to the best of their ability; Be courteous, caring and respectful to all; Contribute to the life of the school; Take responsibility for their own work and behaviour; Keep the School rules; Attend detentions or other sanctions as required; Refrain from fighting, bullying or racism; Respect themselves, others and the environment; Conform to the Schools policy on uniform; Complete all classwork and homework to deadlines given Signed Signed (Parent/Guardian) (Student) Mr T Gibson Page 7 of 7