Student Behaviour and Exclusions Policy
1. Statement
2. Aim
3. Related policies and legislation
4. Responsibility: whole-school approach
6. Promoting good behaviour and rewards
8. Dress code
9. Improving behaviour and sanctions
10. GCSE rules
12. Confiscation and use of restraint
13. Records
Appendix A: Disciplinary investigation procedure
1. Statement
Ashbourne promotes a culture of mutual respect, tolerance and collaboration between all members of the College community. This reflects the adult-style learning environment, high-quality teaching and individual support the College offers to enable each student to reach their potential and take the right academic pathway that will lead towards a fulfilling and successful future. Ashbourne expects all of its students to show the maturity, commitment and drive required to excel in this environment.
The College celebrates students’ successes, rewards their efforts and offers guidance and support to overcome difficulties they may experience. Ultimately, this encourages students to take responsibility for their own behaviour, their own success and the consequences that result from their choices. As part of the community, therefore, the College expects all students to respect and comply with the values and standards set out in this policy.
Ashbourne has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and sexual violence, bullying in any form and racist and sexist behaviour and abuse, including where this behaviour takes place online. Students are encouraged and supported to report any concerns or experiences, however small they may feel they are, as soon as possible to a trusted member of staff or the Designated Safeguarding Lead so that appropriate and timely action can be taken and support offered. For further information refer to the College’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, Peer-on-Peer Abuse Policy and Anti-bullying Policy.
The College also expects members of the community to make all efforts necessary to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, in line with government guidance and the College’s COVID-19 Response Policy.
Ashbourne expects all students to be punctual and to maintain an outstanding attendance record (more than 95%). Attendance is continually monitored, as required by law, and students failing to meet these expectations will face sanctions. For more detailed information please refer to the Attendance Policy.
2. Aim
The aim of this policy is to set out the attitude to learning the College expects, the rewards offered to motivate students and the code of conduct necessary to enable every student to feel safe and confident in their learning environment. It also sets out what may constitute breaches of expected behaviour and outlines the procedures in place to manage behaviour improvement and sanctions for misconduct.
3. Related policies and legislation
3.1 Related College policies
3.2 Relevant legislation
4. Responsibility: whole-school approach
Student welfare and wellbeing is vital to personal happiness, development and academic success. Ashbourne provides a great deal of individual attention to each student throughout their time at the College and from the outset encourages and nurtures healthy relationships and behaviour.
Ashbourne provides a comprehensive academic and pastoral support network for all students comprising teachers, personal tutors, senior leaders, designated safeguarding leads and SEND support. The student council also plays a role in representing and voicing students’ rights and responsibilities. This support network is designed to create open communication channels so that behavioural issues and concerns can be identified early and addressed in a timely and appropriate way. The value of positive behaviour and healthy relationships is further reinforced through the compulsory PSHEE and Personal Tutor programmes.
5. Safeguarding and SEND
5.1 Safeguarding and student welfare and wellbeing
Safeguarding is a priority at the College so any student behavioural issue or concern will always be considered from this standpoint. This enables the College to identify and manage possible concerns early, as well as unmet educational or other needs. All safeguarding concerns are dealt with in accordance with the College’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and may involve external agencies. All staff are trained and regularly briefed on keeping children safe in education.
5.2 SEND
Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are supported by our Designated Safeguarding Lead and SEND team. This support team will liaise with and advise teachers and other members of staff on how to manage behavioural issues and offer support for students to help them cope with similar situations in future. Please refer to the SEND and Access Arrangements Policy.
6. Promoting good behaviour and rewards
Ashbourne encourages students to set and maintain the highest standards of behaviour, which include full attendance and completing all set work to the best of their ability and within the given deadlines.
6.1 Student Council
Students have the opportunity to be elected or chosen as leaders for their year group to Ashbourne’s Student Council, where they will be expected to lead by example and play a key role in supporting their fellow students to create a culture of responsibility.
Each member of the Student Council will be allocated a key role throughout the year, to develop their leadership and management skills, in addition to representing the College and taking part in events such as parents evenings, open evenings, arts and audition events.
6.2 Awards
Ashbourne holds Autumn and Spring Honour Rolls to award students selected for their outstanding academic performance also taking into consideration attendance, work ethic and wider contribution to the College. At the end-of-year celebrations Ashbourne also holds the Annual Awards for Y13 students. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be given out for exceptional academic performance in subjects across the eight faculties.
7. Code of Conduct
It is important to establish certain ground rules to ensure good order and to create a pleasant, respectful and safe environment for both staff and students. There are four core and compulsory rules concerning academic matters at Ashbourne; students must:
The Code of Conduct and expected behaviour set out in this policy shall also apply, in appropriate circumstances, to students when they are away from College premises and outside the jurisdiction of the College, for example during half term and in the holidays. Any student’s conduct which affects the welfare of a member or members of the College community or which could bring the College into disrepute is a matter for College discipline.
8. Dress code
Ashbourne encourages students to be confident and independent so they are well prepared for the next stages of their academic and professional lives. This includes how they dress, which is why there is no formal dress code at the College. Students are expected to establish a careful balance between personal expression and suitability in choosing what to wear in a learning and working environment. This means wearing attire that is appropriate for such environments whenever students are on College premises, field trips, work placements or at other events and activities where they are seen to be representing the College.
As opinions and tastes vary so widely, and to avoid students being sent home to change, below is a short, but not exhaustive, guide to what the College constitutes as inappropriate attire for a learning and working environment:
9. Improving behaviour and sanctions
9.1 Improving behaviour
The College understands that everyone makes mistakes and so supports students to recognise, improve and/or rectify their behaviour if it falls short of the code of conduct or expected behaviour. This may involve students taking time out of classes (temporary removal from classes) until they catch up with required work, attending Homework Saturdays, engaging in discussions to examine the impact of their behaviour and/or agreeing steps and targets to improve behaviour.
9.1.1 Neutral suspension (a temporary removal from classes)
Students may be required to take time out of classes for the following reasons:
Neutral suspension or temporary removal from classes aims to encourage students to reflect on their behaviour, complete outstanding work to an acceptable standard and set goals to enable them to better comply with the Code of Conduct and expected behaviour.
It may involve students being asked to leave class for disruption, failure to complete assigned homework or other behavioural issues and sent to the library to complete their work under supervision for the day.
Students may also be required to attend a Homework Saturday to catch up on work or to recompense for poor behaviour in the classroom.
Neutral suspensions (a temporary removal from class) will not be recorded on students’ academic records. However, disciplinary action may be taken subsequently if there is no improvement in behaviour or if students are found to have made serious breaches of expected behaviour.
9.2 Sanctions
Failure to improve behaviour following a temporary removal from class and/or serious breaches of expected behaviour will trigger a disciplinary meeting that will go on students’ academic record and may result in formal suspension or permanent exclusion, depending on the nature, severity and repeated occurrence of the breach.
9.2.1 Formal suspension
If a student is formally suspended their parents and/or guardians will be informed by telephone or email detailing the circumstances of the suspension and conditions of re-entry to the College. Formal suspension can only be issued following consultation with the Director of Studies. Formal suspensions will be recorded and held on the student’s academic record.
Students may be formally suspended for a fixed period for repeated, persistent misconduct, which includes failure to complete work to an acceptable standard and in a timely fashion, as well as more serious one-off incidents. These suspensions can vary in duration – from one afternoon to two weeks, for example; but not exceeding more than 45 school days in any one school year – depending on the nature and severity of the misconduct. Formal suspensions may precede a permanent exclusion if behaviour does not improve after the period of reflection and redress.
9.2.2 Permanent exclusion
Exclusion is usually the very last resort for sanctions and not a decision the Principal will take lightly. However, for very serious, harmful or persistent misconduct students may be permanently excluded from the College.
Permanent exclusion would typically occur following a disciplinary investigation and meeting with the student and their parents and/or guardians. However, there are exceptional circumstances where the Principal may decide to permanently exclude a student for a ‘one-off’ offence including, but not limited to, serious physical assault, gross insubordination, possession of illegal substances or weapons, and action that seriously compromises the safety of any other member of the Ashbourne community.
9.2.3 Appeals
Students and their parents and/or guardians have the right to appeal against formal suspensions and permanent exclusion. If an appeal is requested, the parents and/or guardians will be invited to a provisional meeting with a member of the Senior Leadership Team to discuss the request and set an appeal meeting should they decide to pursue the matter.
Appeals will only be considered on the grounds that the College’s decision to impose sanctions for misconduct was potentially flawed.
9.3 Breaches of expected behaviour
There are three levels of breaches of expected behaviour that may lead to formal suspension or permanent exclusion.
9.3.1 Level 1: minor breaches
Minor breaches are initially dealt with informally and may involve a warning and communication with parents and/or guardians. The following are examples of minor breaches, although the list is not exhaustive:
9.3.2 Level 2: repeated breaches
Repeated Level 1 breaches become Level 2 breaches. These will also be recorded in the student’s file and necessitate a meeting with parents and/or guardians, potentially resulting in final warnings, formal suspensions and possibly permanent exclusion.
9.3.3 Level 3: serious breaches
Serious breaches, many of which constitute illegal behaviour, that will lead to formal suspensions and/or permanent exclusion include, but are not limited to, the following:
10. GCSE (year 11) rules
Whilst the general rules and behaviour code apply to all students, there are some additional rules that apply solely to GCSE students.
11. Disciplinary Procedure
Ashbourne has a graduated scale for dealing with any disciplinary concerns related to student behaviour and/or academic performance. All infractions are dealt with based upon their nature and severity as outlined below:
Level 1 – minor breaches
Level 2 – repeated Level 1 breaches
Level 3 – serious breaches and persistent minor breaches escalating from Level 2
For all levels of indiscipline, the classification of an incident at Level 1, 2, or 3 is at the discretion of the attending staff. At all meetings to review behaviour the student will be given the opportunity to defend themselves and state their reasons for their behaviour.
11.1 Level 1
Level 1 breaches will initially be dealt with by teachers, or the member of staff involved, and passed on to Personal Tutors if the (mis)behaviour is repeated. Personal Tutors monitor students’ academic progress and personal welfare therefore will intervene where necessary.
Initial meetings between the student and the Personal Tutor for Level 1 breaches will not necessarily involve parents. Nevertheless, parents will be kept in the loop about any concerns with student progress or behaviour. The Personal Tutor will aim to resolve the issue with the student in an informal manner, giving the student the opportunity to explain or defend their behaviour. Usually the Personal Tutor will give the student a date by which to rectify the behaviour or a warning that repeated misbehaviour will lead to a Homework Saturday or possibly a meeting with parents.
Specific academic issues will trigger a Level 1 meeting with a Personal Tutor, which will also involve notifying the parent and/or guardian:
Where a students’ attendance falls below 95%, the Personal Tutor may revoke the student’s right to contact the College to report absences. If this is the case, the Personal Tutor will inform the student, parents and/or guardian that the Attendance Officer will only accept communication from an authorised adult if the student is unable to attend class.
11.2 Level 2
Level 2 breaches that are repeated Level 1 breaches will require a formal disciplinary meeting with the student, parent/guardian and Personal Tutor. The Personal Tutor will set out the reasons for concern and allow the student to respond and explain their behaviour. A date will be set to review behaviour improvement and a summary of the meeting will be emailed to all parties. Failure to comply with improvements agreed at the meeting will lead to a subsequent meeting where the student may receive a formal (fixed period) suspension.
Personal Tutors must seek authorisation from the Director of Studies, Head of Year and Principal to give formal (fixed period) suspensions for repeated transgressions.
Students will be required to complete the College re-entry procedures below following a formal suspension:
11.3 Level 3
Level 3 breaches that involve actual or threat of serious harm or risk to others, sexual violence or serious risk to themselves, will be referred to the CSC and/or police in line with the College’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. Students will be neutrally suspended during any criminal investigations and/or investigations into serious misconduct until a formal outcome is reached. The College may consider permanent exclusion regardless of the outcome of CSC and/or police investigations.
Level 3 breaches include escalated and unresolved Level 1 and 2 breaches and serious misconduct. Breaches at this level will be investigated by the Personal Tutor and reviewed by the Director of Studies, Head of Year (where applicable) and the Principal. Students may be neutrally suspended during this investigation period with the prospect of permanent exclusion.
The disciplinary investigation procedure is set out in Appendix A. Students who wish to appeal must do so in accordance with the College’s Complaints Policy procedure, following the formal suspension.
12. Confiscation and use of restraint
12.1 Confiscation
Students can expect to have property that is not permitted on the premises confiscated. The College may, without consent, also conduct a search and confiscate the following illegal and prohibited items:
For further information please refer to Ashbourne’s Alcohol and Smoking Policy and Drugs and Substances Policy.
12.2 Use of restraint
Any use of restraint by staff must be reasonable, proportionate and lawful. Restraint will be used only when immediately necessary and for the minimum time necessary to prevent a student from doing or continuing to do any of the following:
13. Records
All suspensions and exclusions are recorded in the Student Database, with the name of the student concerned, the reason for the sanction and the name of the person administering the sanction. The Head of Academic Administration is responsible for recording this information in the Suspension and Expulsion Database.
Authorised by
The Principal
Date
September 2021
Effective date of the policy
September 2021
Circulation
Teaching staff / all staff / parents / Students on request
Review date
September 2022
Appendix A: Disciplinary investigation procedure
1. Investigation
Investigation of serious misconduct (Level 3 breaches) will typically be coordinated by a member of the Senior Leadership Team; the preliminary findings will be reported to the Principal. Parents/legal guardians will be informed of the incident and ongoing investigation, usually in writing, as soon as reasonably possible.
Internal investigations may be temporarily suspended where external agencies such as the CSC and/or police are involved, and the College has been advised to do so.
2. Interview
Where the investigating officer (IO), usually the Director of Studies (DOS), thinks it is necessary to interview any students about the incident(s), the student will normally be accompanied by another member of staff. The IO may conduct interviews without additional staff where delay may compromise the veracity of witness/evidence.
The investigator will summarise the relevant points from the interview and communicate them to the student and their parents and/or legal guardians.
The student may be asked to make a signed statement; this is used on a need to know basis, although the College may reserve the right to protect a student’s anonymity where necessary (for example, where they are at risk of retaliation or other harm).
3. Neutral suspension
A student may be neutrally suspended while an incident(s) is being investigated. A member of staff, usually the DOS, will notify the parents and/or legal guardians of the reasons and period of suspension, as well as information about the procedure and their right to representation.
If a neutral suspension continues for more than five working days, the College will take reasonable steps to arrange and ensure educational provision.
4. Disciplinary meeting with the Principal
4.1 Notice
The student, and parents or other representatives if available, will be asked in writing to attend a disciplinary meeting with the Principal. The student will be made aware that a possible outcome of the meeting may be their permanent exclusion from the College.
4.2 Evidence
The Principal will review all relevant documentation and evidence from the investigation relating to the incident(s). The parents/legal guardians will receive a full report of the investigation (X days) before the meeting and may submit any evidence they believe to be relevant.
4.3 Attendance
Students may request another member of staff to attend the meeting, as well as their parents or legal guardians. The student and parents/legal guardians will have the opportunity to state their case. Previous statements will still be taken into consideration.
4.4 Access arrangements
Students or parents/legal guardians with SEND who may require additional facilities or adjustments relating to practical aspects of the meeting, (e.g. documentation format, mobility access), should inform the College in advance.
5. Proceedings
5.1 Incident
The Principal will consider the incident and evidence, including any relevant statements made by or on behalf of the student. Unless he believes further investigation is required, the Principal will decide whether a serious breach of discipline has been sufficiently proved, based on the balance of probabilities, i.e. the student is more likely than not to have made a serious breach.
5.2 Outcome
Where it is decided that a serious breach of discipline has been proved, the Principal will outline the sanctions that he considers appropriate and proportionate. The Principal will take into consideration a range of factors including, for example, the student’s disciplinary record and any mitigating circumstances that may have contributed towards the behaviour.
The Principal will communicate his decision in writing to the parents within five working days of the meeting.
6. Permanent exclusion
A decision to permanently exclude a student from the College will take effect xxx days after the decision has been communicated to the parent and/or legal guardians. Until that point the student will remain neutrally suspended from the College. If, within the period of neutral suspension, the parents/legal guardians have requested an appeal the student will remain neutrally suspended until the appeal review has been considered and a decision made to uphold it or implement the original sanction.
7. Status
If a student is permanently excluded from the College their formal status will be ‘excluded’. The Principal may offer parents the possibility of withdrawing a student, in certain circumstances, rather than carrying out a formal exclusion. In such instances, the Principal retains the right to disclose the reasons for the student leaving the College in any reference to other educational institutions. Parents/legal guardians who accept the option to withdraw a student forfeit any further right to appeal.
8. Appeal
A student’s or parents’/legal guardians’ request for an appeal on the Principal’s decision to implement sanctions for misconduct will be conducted through a panel hearing, as outlined in the Complaints Policy.