1. CODE OF CONDUCT – KEY POINTS
1.1 Ashbourne has few specific regulations with regard to student behaviour, but must establish certain ground rules in order to ensure good order and a pleasant, respectful working environment for both staff and students. The fundamental requirements which students are expected to meet with regard to their conduct while on the premises are as follows:
1.1.1 Respect the authority of the teaching and management staff at all times. While on the premises, all students are under the protection and authority of the College’s staff and are therefore expected to abide by their instructions at all times in order to ensure their own health and safety and the smooth operation of the College.
1.1.2 Respect the College’s academic expectations with regard to work completion, attendance and punctuality. All Ashbourne students are expected to attend all of their lessons punctually and to complete all assigned work to the best of their ability. If a student is unavoidably delayed or prevented from attending a lesson, he or she must contact the school by telephone and leave a message with the administration for their tutors. Equally, any failure to submit work is taken seriously by the College and students are expected to take full responsibility for completing all set work. Unauthorised absences, lateness, and failure to complete work are recorded on the central database system and will result in appropriate disciplinary action and, if applicable, contact with parents or guardians.
1.1.3 Actively engage in lessons and be respectful of staff and other students at all times.
1.2 The following forms of behaviour are classified as being serious breaches of the College’s Behaviour Policy and will not be tolerated under any circumstances:
a. Aggressive or intimidating behaviour, either verbal or physical
b. Xenophobia
c. Homophobia
d. Racial or prejudicial harassment
e. Sexist or misogynistic behaviour
f. Sexual harassment
g. Bullying
The College will always act to protect the rights of students; therefore, any behaviour that falls into the aforementioned categories will be dealt with in an extremely serious manner. This list is not exhaustive.
2. ADDITIONAL RULES
2.1 In addition to the key points listed above, there are several smaller, but equally pertinent, points of conduct that students are expected to adhere to while on the College premises; these are as follows:
a. English is to be spoken at all times while on site to engender an inclusive atmosphere.
b. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the College and is strictly prohibited for students under the age of 16. Students who wish to smoke must do so in designated areas only.
c. Photocopiers are for staff use only.
d. The library, common rooms, and computer lab must be respected and used according to their designated purposes.
e. Mobile phones and portable music devices must be switched fully off and stowed away at all times during lessons, and may only be used (with reasonable conduct) in the College common rooms. Students should be aware that inappropriate use of these devices will result in their confiscation.
f. Personal Tutoring Sessions are a mandatory element of the College curriculum and all students are expected to attend these sessions without exception.
g. Eating and drinking during lesson time is prohibited except with the consent of the classroom tutor.
h. Students should be considerate of others and refrain from bringing any foods into the College that give off a strong or unpleasant odour.
h. Consumption of alcohol, either on or off the premises, is strictly prohibited, and any student suspected to be in breach of this rule will be sent home and runs the risk of suspension and/or exclusion. Equally, possession of illegal substances is prohibited and any student suspected of possessing, selling, or using illegal substances will be excluded immediately and reported to police.
3. MIDDLE SCHOOL BEHAVIOUR REGULATIONS
3.1 Students in the Middle School should consult the Middle School Handbook for further guidelines on behaviour expectations specific to GCSE and pre-GCSE students that are in addition to those stated here.
4. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
4.1 Ashbourne has a graduated scale for dealing with any disciplinary concerns related to student behaviour or academic performance; all infractions of the College’s Behaviour Policy are dealt with based upon their nature and severity as outlined below:
4.1.1 LEVEL ONE
Level 1 offences are acts of minor disruption such as low-level misbehaviour or persistent failure to adhere to the College’s strict guidelines on homework completion, attendance and punctuality.
4.1.2 LEVEL TWO
Level 2 offences include, but are not limited to, continuous Level 1 offences, persistent lateness and/or persistent disruptive behaviour. If a Level 2 incident takes place in class, the student may be asked to leave the lesson and report directly to the Director of Studies.
4.1.3 LEVEL THREE
Level 3 offences may include, but are not limited to, offensive and/or abusive language, physical aggression, intimidating behaviour, or direct defiance of a member of staff. It is also a Level 3 offence to be in possession of alcohol or any illegal substances.
For all levels of indiscipline, the classification of an incident at Level 1, 2, or 3 is at the discretion of the attending staff; equally, the above list of examples is not meant to be exhaustive.
5. SANCTIONS FOR POOR BEHAVIOUR
5.1 Minor incidents will be dealt with by teachers and students are expected to correct their behaviour in accordance with the behaviour requirements set out in 1.1.1 above. For repetitive or more serious offences, students will be referred to Personal Tutors, Assistant Directors of Studies or the Director of Studies. Behavioural sanctions can include, but are not limited to, the following actions:
· Student meetings
· Parental contact by telephone or e-mail
· Parental meetings
· Detention/supervised study
· Suspension from the College
· Exclusion
6. SUSPENSION AND EXCLUSION POLICY
6.1 If the College judges an act to be a serious violation of its rules (principally Level 2 or 3 offences), it reserves to the right to suspend or exclude the student in accordance with its Suspension and Exclusion Policy. Periods of suspension will be at the discretion of the Director of Studies; note also that a student may be excluded immediately upon a Level 3 offence and need not have been reported for indiscipline previously. All exclusions will be subject to appeal. The exclusions procedure and appeals process will be outlined in writing to the parent(s) of the excluded student.
7. PROMOTING GOOD BEHAVIOUR AND REWARDS
7.1 Students who demonstrate outstanding conduct with regard to attendance, work ethic, attitude, and effort throughout the year (or who demonstrate significant improvement in a particular subject area) are eligible to be considered for the College’s Faculty Awards which are administered by each Faculty Head every term and which can qualify the student for special inclusion in the Ashbourner (the termly College magazine) and/or free attendance on designated College trips.
7.2 The recipients of the Faculty Awards each half term may be considered for Annual Awards. Annual Award winners are eligible to be considered for the award of Student of the Year, to be given to a student who has made outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements throughout the academic year.
7.3 During the first term of the academic year, the Director of Studies will, with input from the Assistant Directors of Studies and the Faculty Heads, appoint student leadership positions within the College consisting of a Head Boy and/or Head Girl,; these are positions of privilege and students who are appointed are expected to undertake minor responsibilities throughout the year, including (but not necessarily limited to) participation in Parents Evenings, Open Evenings, and the Drama Department’s annual auditions.
7.4 The system for promoting good behaviour is under constant review and, at the discretion of the Director of Studies may be modified or altered at any stage without notice.
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