Please refer to our Behaviour Policy:

Behaviour Policy

We expect students to:

• Be attentive and sensible in the classroom, tutor room and assemblies
• Move around the school quietly, sensibly and safely
• Be respectful of school premises and property
• Be sensible in the playground
• Show respect for each other, teachers, support staff and visitors, at all times
• Complete homework to the best of their ability and meet deadlines as set
• See the teacher for help when necessary
• Attend school regularly and punctually
• Wear the correct school uniform and wear it correctly

The majority of students do meet our expectations. However, on occasion, some students need support and guidance to maintain good behaviour. We have a graduated system of sanctions aimed at helping students to get back on track:

• A message in the diary from the teacher for parents to sign.
• A student may be referred to the Head of Department who may contact parents.
• A student may be referred to her form tutor and then Head of Year who will often contact parents.
• A student may be referred to a Deputy Headteacher and parents will be informed

Pupils are polite and respectful. They care about each other. Pupils told us that one of the best things about the school is that staff are always there to help them if they have any worries. They feel safe in school. Serious incidents of poor behaviour, such as bullying, do not happen often. When they do, leaders are quick to put matters right.
OFSTED 2019

Detentions

• Detentions are one of the most widely used sanctions and a student may receive detentions from any member of staff, usually to be completed after school.
• Students may be kept behind after school for up to 15 minutes without prior notice.
• Detentions are noted in the diary giving 24 hours notice and are for a maximum of 30 minutes once the student has arrived in the detention room.
• Lateness detentions are given in the upper school without 24 hours notice, as they are given on the same evening as the lateness occurs. Parents are informed of this by letter when this scheme starts in the last half term of Year 9.

Serious incidents

If a teacher calls for the “on call” teacher, there has been a serious incident in the classroom which means that the lesson cannot continue until the student has been removed from the teaching group. The student who has disrupted the lesson may be excluded from lessons until the incident is resolved. In this case the “on call” teacher, who will be an Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or the Headteacher, will sign the diary so that parents are aware of the “on call” incident.

Suspensions

A suspension from school is our most severe sanction. The decision to suspend is taken by the Headteacher or, in her absence, the Deputy Headteacher. Such incidents include:

• fighting with another student
• possession of a weapon
• extreme rudeness or defiance to a member of staff
• theft of another student’s property
• having illegal substances on school premises
• deliberately damaging school property

The length of suspension is linked to the severity of the incident. Most suspensions are for one or two school days. However, if a student repeats an offence the exclusion may be longer.Parents are notified that a serious incident is being investigated and that it may lead to a suspension. After a full investigation has taken place, the parents are contacted again about the suspension. School work should be completed during the suspension period. A letter is given to the student to take home and a second copy is posted home. Parents have a right to appeal against the suspension if they feel there have been grounds for unfair treatment. Such appeal procedures are included in the letter. A return-to-school interview occurs at the end of the suspension.

For further information, please refer to our Behaviour Policy:

Behaviour Policy