Code of Conduct

The Chalfonts Community College Behaviour Policy

 

High standards of behaviour and dress are expected at all times both during The College day and whilst travelling between home and College. This behaviour policy includes both rewards for appropriate behaviour and sanctions for poor behaviour. Rewards and sanctions will be applied with consistency and fairness. It is an expectation that parents will be involved in shaping the behaviour of their children.

 

Process

This policy has taken account of the views expressed by students, staff and governors.

Rewards

The College endeavours to develop self-esteem and self-discipline amongst its students. It is hoped that students will gain satisfaction from producing quality work or assisting others in College or in the community. In addition the following system using credit stickers and certificates is used:

Credit Stickers (Key Stage 3)

Credit stickers are rewarded for a range of reasons such as:

· Work of a high standard
· Consistent effort
· Consistent progress
· 100% attendance
· Helping at College events such as induction evenings
· Participating in House activities
· Showing community spirit

The sticker is placed in the appropriate pages of the Study Planner with the member of staff awarding the sticker writing the reason for the award and signing and dating the entry.

To ensure consistency, in most cases staff should only award 1 sticker at a time. There are, however, exceptions and the following guidelines are applied:

· 100% attendance over half a term 5 credits
· Taking part in College Production (up to) 25 credits
· Extra Curricular activities (up to) 25 credits
· Helping at College event 5 credits

Certificates (Key Stage 3)

When a student has accumulated a number of Credit Stickers they will be awarded a Certificate as outlined below:

25 credits Bronze Certificate awarded by tutor
100 credits Silver Certificate awarded by Year Leader
150 credits Gold Certificate awarded by a Vice Principal
200 credits Platinum Certificate awarded by The Principal

Praise from a teacher - this could be during a lesson, group time, assembly or at any other time during The College day.

Display of work - work is displayed to encourage students.

A Platinum Certificate is issued at the end of each year to those students with 100% attendance.

Certificates (Key Stage 4)

Certificates for Achievement and Effort are to be awarded by every subject each half term for students in Key Stage 4.

Monitoring and Managing Behaviour

Report Books

These are usually used when a student's behaviour is a cause for concern. A student is only placed 'on report' after consultation with the appropriate Year Leader. Parents are always informed either by telephone or at a meeting. Parents sign the report card at the end of each day and the report card is seen and signed daily by the Year Leader. Students are normally on report for a period of not more than two weeks.

Indivdual Target Sheets

Target sheets for individual students are used when it has become apparent that the student is having difficulty with particular aspects of behaviour and learning in a range of situations. Target sheets outline specific targets for improvement and staff should comment upon these areas after each lesson. Target sheets are issued by the Year Leader in consultation with the tutor, parents and other staff as appropriate. Students are given positive feedback and encouragement when targets are achieved.

Log Book

Each tutor group has a log book which is completed by staff when the group is taught together. In the book staff identify students who may be having difficulties in relation to learning or behaviour and those who are working particularly well. This book is monitored by the tutor and Year Leader and enables early identification of strengths and weaknesses within the group.

Interim Reports

These are issued by Year Leaders if there is a particular concern about progress or achievement in relation to a particular student. Staff complete a proforma outlining how a student is performing in their lesson. This is returned to the Year Leader who will compile a report and decide upon the appropriate course of action.

Referral Forms

These are completed by staff to inform the tutor and Year Leader of any behaviour which is worthy of praise or concern. Appropriate action is then taken and the referral forms placed in the student's file.

Use of Force to Control or Restrain Students

Where necessary reasonable force may be used by authorised staff - Senior Management, Subject Leaders and Year Leaders - to control or restrain students. Such circumstances include students who are:

· committing a criminal offence
· injuring themselves and others
· causing damage to property
· behaving in a way which is prejudicial to the maintenance of good order and discipline

If such force is used a record is kept on a database held by The College

Sanctions

All cases of inappropriate behaviour are fully investigated and students involved are expected to complete Incident Forms. Support services are involved and counselling is provided.

Community Service

Tasks such as litter picking and removal of graffiti.

Payment for Damage

Students who damage College or other people's property will be expected to pay for the cost of repair or replacement.

Withdrawal of Privileges

eg ban from a College visit or use of College facilities.

Detentions

Detentions are used for a range of inappropriate behaviour as well as for failure to complete homework. Lunchtime detentions are given in the first instance, whilst after College detentions are used for persistent offenders or more serious offences. Detentions are recorded in the study planner. 24 hours written notice is given to parents of an after school detention.

Internal Suspension

This is used for serious and persistent cases of inappropriate behaviour. Parents are contacted and students work in isolation for one, two or three days, depending on the incident. Internal suspensions can only be administered by the Year Leader through a Vice Principal. Work is set by the appropriate subject teachers.

Fixed Term Exclusions

This is used as the next stage if internal suspensions have failed to shape more appropriate behaviour or for a serious breach of discipline. Students can be excluded for up to 45 days in one year. Parents, the Chairman of Governors and the LEA are informed of such exclusions. It is a legal responsibility to set and mark work for students who are excluded. This is organised by the Year Leader. If a student is excluded for more than 5 days in one term the governors will review the decision at a hearing to which the parents will be invited. Should a student be excluded for a long period the governors should meet quickly (whenever possible within 15 days of the exclusion). At this meeting the governors must decide whether to uphold the exclusion. If the decision to exclude is upheld then a reintegration plan must be made.

Permanent Exclusion

This can only be authorised by The Principal when all other sanctions have been tried and have failed or when there is a very serious incident.

Illegal Drugs

Possession, use or supply of drugs will result in permanent exclusion. The College reserves the right to contact the police.

Serious breach of The College Behaviour Policy may result in permanent exclusion eg Students bringing implements into school which may endanger others may be permanently excluded from College.

With all exclusions (fixed and permanent) parents have a right to contact the Governing Body's Discipline Committee if they have a concern about the exclusion. If they wish to do this they should contact Julia Freeman, Clerk to the Committee.