Code Of Conduct For Students

 

This Code of Conduct is one of the means by which Green School will achieve its aims on behalf of all the people who work and study here.

The School on the one hand, and individual students on the other, have justifiable expectations of each other, including:

  • Students have a right to expect that the School will provide a secure, nurturing environment to learn in; the School has a responsibility to provide this.
  • The School expects students to behave in a way which will contribute to such a safe, friendly environment; it cannot tolerate behaviour which undermines this principle.

The Code of Conduct will be most effective in a caring environment; where behaviour is not accordance with the Code is should be recognised and dealt with promptly and appropriately.  With everyone’s co-operation in striving for high standards, it will become a code which will not need enforcing, but by which the whole community can happily live and work together.

The code identifies the following areas:

1.  RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS

Students are expected to respect the rights, needs and feelings of others.  In return, they can expect such consideration to be shown to them.   Everyone must act in a way which promotes the dignity, health and safety of others.

In particular, no-one should initiate or be expected to tolerate:

  • Bullying, intimidation, teasing or ostracising (verbal or physical);
  • the use of language which is offensive;
  • offensive use of electronic communication.

Public displays of intimate behaviour between students may cause offense to others and are therefore not appropriate.

2.  THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

It is everyone’s right to have a safe, clean and comfortable place in which to work.  Looking after the environment is the responsibility of us all.

  • Interfering with School facilities causes inconvenience and discomfort to others.  For example, students should not write or draw on white boards or chalk boards unless specifically asked to do so by a member of staff.
  • Dropped rubbish causes our environment to be untidy and unhealthy.  Rubbish bins are provided and should be used.
  • Matches and lighters must not be brought on to the School campus.  Smoking is forbidden at all times on the School campus, on the way to school, on school field trips and when representing the School.
  • Food and drink should only be consumed in designated areas and at appropriate times.
  • Students should be responsible for helping to keep the campus clean and tidy. This will assist hosuekeepers and other support staff in their work.

3.  COURTESY

Courtesy is an important part of our daily lives.  It costs nothing but shows our respect for each other and makes life more pleasant for everyone.

Courtesy involves, for example: speaking politely, listening carefully, doing as requested, making visitors welcome, not interrupting conversations, not pushing.  These are not rules, but simply positive ways of behaving towards each other.

Examples of courtesy would be:

  • Addressing each other by name whenever possible;
  • Using polite language such as ‘Excuse me’,  ‘Please’, and ‘Thank-you’;
  • Apologising if you accidentally hurt or inconvenience someone;
  • Having the correct equipment and appropriate materials for each lesson;
  • Entering a room quietly;
  • Apologising and giving a reason if you are late;
  • Showing respect for other people’s views and opinions and not ridiculing their mistakes;
  • Packing away your lesson materials only when asked to do so;
  • Doing as requested by a member of staff.
  • Not using offensive or obscene language.

4.  MOVEMENT

For safety reasons everyone must take care when moving around our campus.  At some times our pathways and staircases get crowded.

Students should:

  • Take particular care in the vicinity of younger students.
  • On staricases, give way to visitors and other adults, and help anyone whose hands are full.

Sometimes, for reasons of supervision or safety, students may be asked to line up outside rooms and wait to be invited to enter.  These lines should be orderly.

5.  PERSONAL PROPERTY

Everyone should take responsibility for looking after their own property.  It is recommended that items of significant monetary or personal value are not brought into school.

  • Students must not interfere with other students’ property in any way.  This will be viewed very seriously.
  • Items such as personal audio systems and mobile phones must not be used during school hours.
  • Clothing and personal items should be clearly marked with the student’s  name.
  • VALUABLES MUST NOT BE LEFT IN THE CHANGING ROOMS.
  • If there is any damage to or theft of property, it should be reported promptly to the Principal’s Office.

6.  ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY

Absence of even one day will cause students to miss lessons and lose out on essential teaching.  Students must avoid being absent unless they are unwell or have some other legitimate reason to miss school.

  • Students must register daily with their teacher.
  • Students are expected to be punctual for registration and for every lesson.
  • A student who is absent for any reason must either bring a note explaining the absence to the teacher on the first day back, or  his/her parents should telephone the Principal’s Office with an explanation.
  • Teachers should be informed by parents in advance of any appointments (e.g. medical/dental) during school time.  Whenever possible, appointments should be made out of school time.
  • Students arriving late should register with the Principal’s who will record late arrival.

7.  LEAVING THE CAMPUS

The School takes very seriously the responsibility it has for students whilst in session.  We need to know who is on the campus at all times.

  • Students may only leave the campus during the day with the permission of a teacher.

8.  PERSONAL APPEARANCE

The School recognises the need for tidy, safe and comfortable attire on our campus.

  • Students are responsible for their personal appearance and are expected to take pride in it.
  • Students may wear an inexpensive wristwatch.
  • Over-casual appearance and extreme styles will not be tolerated.

9.  OUT OF SCHOOL, REPRESENTING THE SCHOOL, AND TRAVELLING TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Each member of the School represents the whole community and must strive to maintain the high reputation that Green School enjoys.

Good behaviour and appropriate attire and language are expected at all times when representing the School at events, taking part in field study trips or  travelling to and from School.

MISBEHAVIOURS AND SANCTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Students are accountable for their actions; they are responsible for conducting themselves properly, in a way that upholds the reputation of the School, and in a manner appropriate to their age and level of maturity.  They will be asked to explain any behaviour that departs from the guidelines in this Code – initially to their tutor or class teacher.  Should any student persist in ignoring this Code or be in serious breach of it, he or she will be accountable to the Principal, and ultimately to the Director.  Parents may be informed at the first level of accountability, but will always be informed at the higher level.

APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS

The School will apply sanctions according to the schedule below and will take into account such factors as past history of misbehaviours, circumstances under which the misbehaviour occurred, the age of the student, and other factors which are perceived to be relevant.  Misbehaviours which represent breaches of the Code of Conduct are classified according to their levels of severity:

LEVEL 1

Misbehaviours at this level represent minor infractions of procedures which regulate the orderly operation of the School, its environment, its users, and the teaching and learning process.

Examples of the type of misbehaviour at this level include:

  • Showing disrespect for others
  • Throwing rubbish
  • Being late to school or class
  • Failure to complete work to a deadline
  • Minor defacing of school property
  • Inappropriate personal appearance
  • Use of offensive language

Sanctions that are applied against this kind of misbehaviour include:

▪     A reprimand or a warning
▪     Writing a letter of apology
▪     A withdrawal of privileges
▪     A school community work order

LEVEL 2

In this level are included misbehaviours whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the teaching and learning environment of the School.

Examples of the type of misbehaviour at this level include:

  • Repeats of the kinds of misbehaviour at Level 1
  • Major disruptive behaviour
  • Petty theft
  • Defiance
  • Bullying, intimidation, teasing or ostracising of other students (verbal or physical)
  • Cheating or copying another student’s work
  • Inappropriate use of the internet
  • Truancy from lessons or leaving the School site or school-related activities without permission
  • Use of obscene language or gestures
  • Possession or distribution of offensive material

Sanctions that are applied against this kind of misbehaviour may include appropriate sanctions at Level 1 as well as:

▪     A detention : Lunchtime or after school
▪     On report : In which a student’s behaviour is carefully monitored
▪     In-school exclusion : Exclusion from lessons, breaks and extra-curricular activities
▪     Exclusion from school : On a student’s record for a three month probationary period, removable by good behaviour during that period

LEVEL 3

These misbehaviours are more serious because their consequence may have a lasting effect on the individual or may pose a threat to the health, safety and security of others in the School.

Examples of the type of misbehaviour at this level include:

  • Repeats of the kinds of misbehaviour at Level 2
  • Tampering with devices designed to ensure the health, safety and security of others
  • Plagiarism – unauthorised use of another person’s work
  • Stealing
  • Vandalism
  • Fighting
  • Gambling
  • Physically threatening other students
  • Possession or distribution of pornographic materials
  • Outrage of modesty/inappropriate body contact
  • Possession, use or sale of tobacco in School or on school-related activities, on or off site
  • Possession, use or sale of alcohol in School or on school-related activities, on or off site
  • Serious acts of defiance or threatening an employee of the School

Sanctions that are applied against this kind of misbehaviour include:

▪     Temporary exclusion from school : On a student’s permanent record
▪     Permanent exclusion from school  : Normally reached after other sanctions have failed

LEVEL 4

Represented in this level are acts which are clearly criminal or present a direct threat to the welfare of others or may result in violence to persons or damage to property.

Examples of the type of misbehaviour at this level include:

  • Possession, use or sale of stolen property
  • Extortion of other students
  • Indecent exposure
  • Major vandalism
  • Assault
  • Serious theft
  • Possession, consumption or trafficking of illegal drugs in School or on school-related activities, on or off site
  • Possession of drug-related articles in School or on school-related activities, on or off site
  • Possession of a prohibited weapon in School or on school-related activities, on or off site

The sanction that would normally be applied against this kind of behaviour:

▪     Immediate permanent exclusion from school

PROBATION

Any exclusion includes a three-month probationary period.  Probation is a warning to a student.  If a student on probation misbehaves in a way that makes him/her liable for a further exclusion, this may result in permanent exclusion from school.

MISBEHAVIOURS WHICH INCLUDE PHYSICAL ASSAULTS AND INFRINGEMENTS OF THE LAW

All involved in a serious physical assault that leads to bodily harm (those assaulting and those being assaulted) will normally be excluded from school for the rest of the day on which the assault takes place, and the following day for a cool-off period during which an investigation will take place.

APPEALS

A permanent exclusion order is reached by the Director.  A student given a permanent exclusion order, and/or his parents, has the right of appeal.  Such an appeal will be considered by the Board of Directors.  Further, the Board is empowered to hear the views of others in its review before making a final decision.

Our family has read and understood the Green School Code of Conduct. We agree to abide by the terms of the Code of Conduct as members of the Green School community.