Behaviour Policy
The main rule for all of us in school is that everyone should be treated with courtesy and consideration at all times. Pupils must follow the ‘Discipline Structure’ currently in force. This policy is applicable to all pupils including those in the EYFS. Stoke College will never use corporal punishment. Guidelines on the use of Physical Restraint can be found at the end of this policy.
Personal
You always try to understand other people’s point of view. Speak politely to everyone (even if you feel bad-tempered): swearing and using bad language to anyone is not acceptable at any time.
You always wear the prescribed school uniform, and the appropriate kit for games, physical education and other physical activities, including any safety or protective clothing or equipment.
You should never behave inappropriately, physically or verbally, with any other person.
School Environment
You help keep the school clean by ensuring that all litter is placed in bins.
Tampering and interfering with property, equipment and fixtures & fittings will not be tolerated.
Timetabled Lessons
You prepare for each lesson by ensuring that you have everything with you for that lesson; you arrive on time and you are quiet and sensible at all times.
You should enter each lesson sensibly and quietly and go straight to your workplace, taking out all necessary books, pens and other equipment and then putting your bag in a sensible place, off the desk. It is understood that you will have all necessary equipment and books for the lesson.
Each lesson should begin and end in a courteous and orderly way and during the lesson you should listen carefully to instructions, not allowing yourself to be distracted into frivolous chatter or interfering in other people’s work or discussion.
During the lesson you should remain attentive and only speak when necessary for the progress of the lesson. Concentrate and pay careful attention when the teacher is talking to you or the whole class and if the class is asked a question put up a hand to answer: do not call out.
During each lesson you are expected to work quietly and sensibly with your classmates without distracting them or interfering with their work.
You must not leave a lesson without permission from your teacher: this will only be granted for ancillary lessons (e.g. music) or under exceptional circumstances.
Homework must be recorded in your Prep. Diary and completed as directed. At the end of the lesson you wait for instructions from your teacher who will tell you when to pack away and leave.
Eating, drinking and chewing are not allowed during lessons.
Personal Possessions
You should not bring into school any items other than those which are needed for use in lessons, these should all be clearly named.
Fireworks, weapons, cigarettes, matches, alcohol and non-prescribed or non-medicinal drugs will not be tolerated.
Audio equipment and magazines are not allowed (unless for lesson purposes).
Valuable items should not be brought into school and money should be limited to small amounts.
The buying and selling of personal possessions is not allowed unless with the written permission of parents and the knowledge of your form tutor.
Personal property should not be left unattended. You are entirely responsible for your own property.
You must not interfere or tamper with the personal possessions of others. Stealing will not be tolerated.
Teachers & Adults in the school community
All adults in the school community should be treated courteously.
Teachers are in the position of parents/guardians while you are in school and there is no excuse for any form of disrespect at any time.
Any reasonable request from a teacher should be carried out at once and without argument.
Behaviour outside lessons
These occasions include break-times, school journeys and trips and other school organised events.
All of the expectations mentioned above will still apply, as appropriate, on any occasion when you are under school jurisdiction.
The Behaviour Policy
The Behaviour Policy and Discipline Structure is intended to deal with most aspects of pupil day to day behaviour at Stoke College.
Transgressors of the policy will be dealt with via the step system.
The Step System
The pupil will be reminded of his/her behaviour obligations by the teacher and asked to modify behaviour.
It is expected that this warning will be enough.
If it is not, a warning may be issued that a further transgression will result in a detention or being sent from the room.
If the warning is not heeded or the offence was considered by the teacher to be sufficiently serious to miss out the warning, a detention will be awarded. This will be recorded in the pupil’s prep diary.
A teacher on lunch break duty will administer the detentions each day in an agreed way. Two lunch time detentions issued in any one week will result in a Friday evening detention. (see discipline structure).
Serious Offences
More serious offences will normally result in a one-hour, after school, detention though each case will be considered on its merits and an alternative action may be deemed more appropriate in consultation with the tutor. Each such detention will be accompanied by a letter home.
There are times when the breaking of rules, regulations or the behaviour policy will need to be treated very seriously indeed. Examples of when this might be are repeated breaking of rules, discipline structure or the behaviour policy, bullying, stealing, breaking bounds etc. (This list is not exhaustive.)
An appropriate punishment will be delivered at The Head’s, Deputy Head’s or Senior Teacher’s (when deputising for The Head) discretion. This may involve a series of after school detentions or in extreme circumstances, suspension or expulsion.
Promoting Positive Behaviour
Reward Systems in the Prep and Senior School
Staff are encouraged to reward pupils on a regular basis as this acts as an incentive for pupils to work towards achieving targets and goals set in lessons. It also encourages involvement in all other aspects of school life.
Prep School – House Points
Staff award a house point in the form of a signed slip which is given to the form tutor. House points are collated by the form tutor and updated lists are displayed in the classroom. At the end of each half term pupils from the Senior Year are responsible for arranging a house assembly where pupils celebrate individual totals achieved and learn which house, Unicorns or Lions, have achieved the greater number. Certificates and prizes are awarded during the assembly. At the end of the year a trophy is awarded to the house gaining the highest amount of house points during the year. There are two houses, Lions and Unicorns, and pupils are assigned to one or the other on entry.
Senior School – Credit System
Senior school pupils are rewarded via the Credit System. These are banked into individual accounts maintained by Tutors who keeps a record of the date of issue and the teacher presenting the credit. Each half-term credits are collated and published while at the end of term a top ten list is announced with prizes awarded. The incentive for all pupils at the end of the year is that for every credit received pupils are given a raffle ticket which is entered in a draw with substantial prizes being offered, these are provided by supporting parents/PTA and sponsorship.
Staff are free to use the reward system as they see fit. If rewards are given too often or not often enough then their value can become worthless and counter productive. Staff are encouraged to reward pupils for consistency in standard of work, both in the classroom and in extra curricula activities. Behaviour that promotes the ethos of the school is also rewarded as is pupil initiated activity. Teachers regularly discuss matters of consistency at staff meetings.
Head’s Commendations
Head’s Commendations are awarded when something exceptional has been achieved. This could be an outstanding piece of work or an action beyond that which is normal. The Head keeps a record of commendations and pupils gaining five during the course of an academic year are rewarded with a voucher that can be exchanged for a book or c.d for example.
Reviewed September 2010
Updated January 2011
Reviewed July 2011
Physical Restraint
Like all schools, we reserve the right for our staff to use reasonable force to control or restrain a pupil in specific circumstances. The Education and Inspections Act 2006 enables school staff to use "such force as is reasonable in the circumstances to prevent a pupil from
doing or continuing to do" any of the following:
- “Committing any offence (or, for a pupil under the age of criminal responsibility, what would be an offence for an older pupil)
- “Causing personal injury to any person (including the pupil themselves)
- “Causing damage to the property of any person (including the pupil themselves)
- “Prejudicing the maintenance of good order and discipline at the school, and among any pupils receiving education at the school, whether during a teaching session or otherwise”
The Act also defines to whom the power applies as follows:
- “Any teacher who works at the school
- “Any other person whom the head teacher has authorised to have control or charge of pupils”
All of our staff are trained in the circumstances in which reasonable minimum force may be
used, both as part of their induction and is included in the staff code of conduct which staff
are regularly reminded of. In particular, they are advised always to use their voices first, to
use the minimum force necessary to restrain a child for the shortest possible period of time.
Their training specifically deals with the factors that must be considered in reaching a judgement as to whether the use of physical restraint is appropriate that include:
- “The seriousness of the incident, assessed by the effect of the injury, damage or disorder that is likely to result if force is not used
- “The chances of achieving the desired result by other means
- “The relative risks associated with physical intervention compared with using other strategies”
Staff should report any necessary intervention, to the Head, in the event of having to separate a child or use physical force to stop a child from hurting themselves or others. All incidents where physical intervention is used to manage a child’s behaviour should be recorded and parents should be informed about it on the same day.
Stoke College makes reference to the Government document “The Use of Force to Control or Restrain Pupils. Guidance for Schools in England.” The document is available at: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/14800/4316_Use_of_force.pdf
