Behaviour & Discipline Policy

Our Lady of Sion School
Policy on Behaviour and Discipline

Scope
This policy applies to all pupils, parents and staff at Our Lady of Sion School, including Early Years (EYFS), Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form.

1. Policy aims

1.1. To enable the Headmaster to carry out his responsibilities of maintaining order and good discipline in the School.
1.2. To promote good behaviour by all pupils.
1.3. To ensure, so far as possible, that every pupil in this School is able to benefit from and make his/her full contribution to the life of the School, consistent always with the needs of the school community.
1.4. To authorise the School Protocol, the School Rules and any procedures necessary for implementing them.

2. School behaviour

2.1. This Policy sets out the principles of the School in relation to:
• Good conduct and behaviour
• self-respect and respect for others
• respect for property and the environment
2.2. Parents will be expected to read the School Behaviour Policy with their children from time to time.  Its principles will be reinforced at assemblies and frequently at other times.

3. School rules

3.1. The School Rules are set by the Headmaster and are necessary:
• for the safety and well-being of everyone at the School
• for the reputation of the school community as a whole
• for the protection of school property and the wider environment
3.2. The School Rules apply to all age groups and at all times when the pupil is:
• at school, representing the school, or wearing school uniform
• travelling to and from school
• associated with the school at any time
3.3. The Governors and the Headmaster intend that the School Rules and the sanctions provided in them shall also, in appropriate circumstances, be capable of regulating the conduct of pupils when they are away from school premises and outside the jurisdiction of the School, for example during half term and in the holidays. 
3.4. Pupils are expected to know and understand the School Rules and to read them through with their parents.  The School Rules will be amended from time to time and reinforced at assemblies and frequently on other appropriate occasions.

4. Breaches of school discipline

 The Governors have authorised the following sanctions.
4.1. Expulsion
 A pupil is liable to expulsion for a grave breach of school discipline, for example, a serious criminal offence or some wilful act calculated to cause serious damage to the school, its community or any of its members.  Formal expulsion implies that the pupil's name will be expunged from the roll of the School and reference to the facts and circumstances will be made in response to every request for a reference.  All outstanding fees up to and including the term of expulsion shall be payable and any deposit shall be retained by the School. 
 The Headmaster is required to act fairly and in accordance with the principles of natural justice and  not  to expel a pupil other than in grave circumstances. 
4.2. Requirement to Leave
 For a serious breach of school discipline falling short of one for which expulsion is necessary, but such that the pupil cannot expect to remain a member of the school community, the pupil may be required to leave permanently.  Subject to payment of all outstanding fees (the deposit being returned or credited to the account),  the pupil will be given reasonable assistance in making a fresh start at another school. 
4.3. Suspension
 A pupil may be placed under suspension for up to fourteen days while a complaint  is investigated, or as a sanction in its own right.  Suspension used as a sanction will form part of the pupil's permanent disciplinary record.
4.4. Detention
 A pupil may be placed in detention where, in the opinion of the Headmaster or delegated member of staff , this sanction is a reasonable response to a breach of school discipline.
4.5. Other Sanctions
 The Headmaster may prescribe and authorise the use of such other sanctions as comply with good education practice and which promote observance of the School’s Behaviour Policy, compliance with the School Rules, and the School's Policy on Rewards & Sanctions.
Corporal punishment is illegal and is not used under any circumstances in Our Lady of Sion Senior and Junior Schools.

5. Appeals

5.1. Parents are entitled to ask for a Governors' Review of a decision to expel or to require the pupil to leave for disciplinary reasons.  The form of application for a review and the review procedures will be supplied to parents on request at the time of the original decision.
5.2. There will be no right to a Governors' Review of other sanctions but a pupil who feels aggrieved may ask the Headmaster or Deputy Head to take up his/her concerns with the member of staff who imposed the sanction. 

A copy of the School's Complaints Procedure is available on request.

Rewards and Awards

The school operates a comprehensive system of rewards and awards for good behaviour and meritorious achievement of all sorts. This includes House Points, Honours, Credits and Effort badges in the Junior School. Merits leading toBronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards and, Headmaster’s Awards, in the Senior School . Annual Cups and Shields are also awarded. Staff are encouraged to make regular use of all these means of recognising good behaviour and praiseworthy achievement.

Our Lady of Sion School
School Behaviour Protocol

Scope

This Protocol applies to all pupils, parents and staff at Our Lady of Sion Senior and Junior Schools.

1. General Principles

1.1. The guiding principles at Our Lady of Sion School are those of honesty, fair-mindedness, hard work, enjoyment and treating others with proper respect and consideration. 
1.2. We also attach very great importance to manners, good discipline, service to others and to caring for the School and external environment.
1.3. We value both effort and achievement and we encourage every positive contribution that a pupil makes to the life of the School, consistent always with the needs of the school community.
1.4. The Principles that make up this School Protocol are addressed to each pupil.  Some of them necessarily apply also to parents.  Compliance with this Protocol and each new edition of it is a condition of membership of the School.  Parents are asked to read through this Protocol with their son or daughter from time to time.

2. Conduct and Self Respect

2.1. Commitment:  You represent the School whenever you wear our uniform.  We hope you will take a pride in your membership of the School, be our ambassador on all occasions and enjoy your time here.  You are expected also to take a pride in your conduct and personal appearance and to show commitment to your academic, sporting and leisure activities and always to do your best. 
2.2. Appearance and Dress:   School uniform must be worn during school hours and for other school activities.  You must be smartly turned out and in all other respects conform to the School's dress regulations.  Shoes should be clean and hair styles must be moderate and tidy.  The School rules contain further information on appearance, dress, hair and bodily adornment. 
2.3. Honesty:  The school community relies on each pupil being honest and truthful and showing a good example to others.  Never cheat, steal or tell lies. If you find, or  in some other way come into possession of, money or property that does not belong to you, ensure that it is given back or handed to a member of staff as soon as possible. 
2.4. Behaviour Generally:  Your behaviour must be a credit to yourself and to the School, whether at school or in public places such as streets, on public transport or in private coaches and whether in or out of school hours.  Always consider the consequences of your words and actions on yourself and on other people.  Never do something you feel is wrong.

3. Respect for Others

3.1. Effort and Achievement:  At this School, we look for fulfilment and enjoyment and we are positive in everything we do.  We respect and encourage each other as individuals and as members of teams.  We also encourage inquiry, hard work, high standards and fair competition.  We take pleasure in each others' achievements and we never mock each others' effort or failure.  Each pupil has the right and the responsibility to contribute to this ethos. 
3.2. Courtesy and Good Manners:  From time to time members of staff, parents, visitors to school premises or other pupils may need assistance.  Please be ready always to offer help.  It is very important that you should, even if to do so causes you inconvenience.
3.3. In the Classroom:  We expect you to make it as easy as possible for everyone to learn and for the teacher to teach.    Your books and equipment should be ready for the start of each  lesson.  Keep the classroom tidy.  Above all, be pleasant and helpful at all times.
3.4. Sportsmanship:  Whether you are competing or spectating at team events or taking part in some other competitive activity, you are expected to behave with good manners and always to set an example that reflects well on the School.  Play to the rules; play hard; play fairly; do your best; enjoy the game and never cheat; be equally gracious in victory as in defeat.
3.5. Bad Language:  The use of bad language is unnecessary, insulting to others and damaging to the person who uses it.  For these reasons its use is forbidden and liable to be punished.
3.6. Bullying and Fighting:  Threats, physical attack, name-calling, mocking, harassment, racism, sexism and all forms of victimisation, are bullying.  Bullying has never been tolerated at this School and will not be excused on grounds of its being part of a game.  Bullying is a serious matter which may lead to removal or expulsion.  You must not bully others and, if others bully you, or you see someone else being bullied, you should inform a member of staff immediately, or your parents. 

4. Respect for Property and the Environment

4.1. Vandalism, Graffiti and Litter:  Vandalism and graffiti-writing on school premises and elsewhere are regarded as serious breaches of school discipline.   Please report, in confidence, any incident of wilful damage or the deliberate dropping of litter to your Form Tutor.  Please take pride in and personal responsibility for your school environment.  Proven culprits will be required to pay for any damage.
4.2. Other People's Property:  You must not interfere with other people’s property or lockers..  If someone has lent property to you, it must normally be returned immediately on request.  You must not borrow someone else's property, books, notes or projects without their previous permission.  You must be strictly honest with regard to money or property that does not belong to you or that you find.  If you are in any doubt, ask a member of staff. 
4.3. Accidental Damage to Property:  You must report to a member of staff any damage you cause to property which is not your own.  You or your parents may be asked to pay for the damage.

©Our Lady of Sion School 2009
The school reserves the right to amend this policy

Back to School Policies Homepage