One of the basic elements of education is self-discipline. Students should learn to control themselves to do the things they should do, not the things they want to do.

A high standard of self-discipline and behaviour is required from all students.  They are expected to take responsibility for their own actions and to show courtesy and respect to staff, visitors and to one another.

Rewards

The college aims to promote high standards of behaviour, self-discipline and learning through positive encouragement and reward. When students do something well, the teacher will recognise this by speaking to them in class, writing comments on their work or on the college records (e-portal) and giving high marks.

Outstanding effort or achievement may be rewarded through the college rewards system.  A range of rewards contribute to the award of certificates by the college during each term. Keeping these in a file will improve a student’s chances of getting the job they want when leaving education. Attendance certificates and rewards are given out for 100% attendance.

Sanctions

If students fail to meet the required high standard of behaviour then they should expect to be sanctioned. Staff keep a record of incidents and sanctions on e-portal.

Our behaviour policy is based on encouraging positive behaviour and dealing firmly and consistently with students who prevent themselves and other students from learning.

We have a range of strategies to deal with misbehaviour which falls short of exclusion.  Classroom teachers employ a number of techniques to deal with low-level misbehaviour in their classrooms.  Where this fails the student may be sent to another room, or given a detention at break or lunchtime, or referred to the subject manager who will provide support and where necessary contact home, in some cases issuing an after school detention notice.

Students may be kept in break detention for up to 10 minutes without notice. Detention for up to 60 minutes (longer by agreement) may be imposed and parents will receive 24 hours notice explaining the reason why.  Lunchtime detentions are normally half the lunch break.

Students who have been sent out of lessons for more than a few minutes will be dealt with by Student Support Managers. A student may then be monitored regularly and the situation regularly reviewed by Student Support Managers who will also keep parents / carers updated.

We have the Student Referral Room for students that behave unacceptably. Students are required to attend all day with supervised toilet breaks. Students work without talking and socialising.  This is an effective sanction and reduces the use of fixed term exclusions.

In serious cases students may be excluded from college for a period of time and then invited to come in with parents / carers and agree to adhere to a Code of Conduct before being re-admitted.

As a last resort, students may be permanently excluded from the college and the reasons notified to College Governors and the Local Authority.