ETC | Behaviour Policy

Good behaviour is the right and expectation of all pupils, parents and staff at Earlsheaton Technology College.

Good self discipline is based on the principle that each individual has rights, which are founded on an equal recognition of individual responsibilities.

Teaching and Learning must take place in a positive environment where there is mutual respect and understanding.

It is the policy of Earlsheaton Technology College to consistently acknowledge and reward the achievements and successes of all our pupils in all fields of their endeavour.

All our pupils will be valued as individuals in their own right.

It is the stated aim of Earlsheaton Technology College to create an inclusive, caring community where effective teaching and learning can take place.

In order to achieve a caring community the college will:

Encourage mutual respect.
Promote reward and praise systems.
Encourage a sense of self discipline in pupils.
Encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own actions.
Encourage pupils to take a pride in themselves and their environment.
Provide a safe and secure environment as possible where effective. Teaching and learning can take place.
Maintain effective communications with parents and the community.
Supply advice through the curriculum on personal, social and moral issues.
Establish a system to monitor appropriate behaviour and attend promptly to inappropriate behaviour.

All pupils will be expected to follow the Earlsheaton Code of Conduct:

To arrive on time for the start of the lesson
Mobile phones must be switched off from the start of a lesson
The chewing of gum or eating of food is not permitted during a lesson
Everyone should be treated and spoken to respectfully
There should be silence when a teacher is talking to the class
Make every effort to complete their work to the highest personal standard
Appropriate equipment should be brought to lessons
Abusive language or threatening behaviour is never acceptable

Pupils will be expected to observe the following Code of Conduct for the corridors:

No pushing or shoving
Walk not run
No shouting or raised voice
No eating or drinking
No dropping litter
No use of bad language

Whilst outside the classroom and around the school site or the community at large pupils will be expected:

Not to Smoke
Not to bully or intimidate other students
Not to use aggressive or bad language
Not to gamble
Not to use physical or aggressive behaviour towards other members of the school community
Not to leave the school site without permission of either the Head or Associate Head teacher
Treat all members of the school community with respect and dignity

The Education and Inspections Act 2006 gives teachers the power to regulate the conduct of pupils when they are off the school premises and not under the control of school staff. This includes unacceptable behaviour on journeys to and from school.

Pupils will be expected to wear school uniform at all times including their Blazer which should only be removed if permitted by the teacher.

The colouring of hair or part of the hair with unnatural tones such as blue, red, purple or green is not acceptable for school. Pupils who do not comply with this rule will be sent home until their hair colour conforms to the policy

The shaving of patterns or logos into the pupils’ hair is not acceptable and pupils who fail to comply with this rule will be sent home until the patterns or logos have been removed.

The following rewards systems are available to members of staff:

Positive commentaries in pupils' exercise books or planners.
The issue of positive behaviour points via SIMS
The careful and imaginative display of children's work.
Consistent and continuous verbal praise and encouragement in lessons.
The bringing to the attention of Senior Staff the good work and behaviour of pupils.
The consistent issue of commendation stamps for praiseworthy work or behaviour.
The termly issue of attendance and punctuality certificates.
Subject Praise Cards sent home praising consistent or outstanding achievements.
Subject Praise Boards in corridors displaying the names of pupils who have made positive progress or contributions.

The class teacher should in the first instance, deal with general classroom misbehaviour.

Where a student’s conduct falls below the standard expected then one of the following sanctions may be used:

Removal from the classroom for a short and limited cooling down period.
Issue of Behaviour points via SIMS
Extra work
Moving places in the classroom
Interruption of break time
Referral to the Subject Leader
Removal from lesson to other appropriate member of the department
Departmental detention/report/extra work
Changes to teaching group
Use of the classroom Consequences system
Withdrawal of privileges such as school trips or sports events
Contact with parents.
Planned Inclusion within the school Restart Centre
Instigation of Individual Behaviour Plan/Improved Behaviour Contract
Fixed Term Exclusion
Pastoral Support Plan
Permanent Exclusion

Persistent misbehaviour or non response to teacher strategies should be referred to the Head of Department who deal with the pupil according to the departmental policy.

Classroom teachers should use the approved Consequences system in response to poor or inappropriate behaviour.

Verbal Warning
C1 - Verbal warning and name placed on Consequences Board
C2 - Verbal Warning and class based sanction with name placed on the Consequences Board
C3 - Name on consequences board and Departmental Detention. Senior member of staff sent for and pupil will either be reintegrated back into the lesson
C4 - If poor behaviour persists Roving Teacher summoned and pupil removed to Isolation. A one hour Headteacher detention will be issued

If the Head of Year is concerned about reports of regular misbehaviour there may be the need to issue an Improved Performance Report. Parents may be invited in to discuss their child's behaviour and what strategies may be agreed to improve the situation.

If a pupil reaches 100 behaviour points then a Inclusion Forum will take place and appropriate interventions will be discussed and implemented.

Teachers may detain pupils if they wish after school but prior notice in writing must be given to parents detailing the date, reason and completion time of the detention.
minimum of 24 hours notice should be given. It would not be good practice to detain pupils longer than 3.30 p.m. without prior notice being given.

In the cases of extreme indiscipline pupils will be referred to either one of the Deputy Headteachers or the Headteacher. This may result in a period of exclusion from school.

There are two types of exclusion:

Fixed terms of between one and forty five days in any academic year
Internal Planned Inclusion
Permanent exclusion

Parents have the right to make representation to the Governing body if they do not agree with the decision to exclude their child.

Pupils may be excluded for inappropriate behaviour, cases of physical or verbal abuse, or the continuous disruption of classes usually identified through the On Call system.

In the case of a fixed term exclusion a date and time will be agreed for the pupil and parents to return to school for a meeting with either an Associate Headteacher or the Headteacher. At this meeting the terms for readmission will be discussed.

Upon re-admission after a fixed term exclusion the Associate Headteacher will place a pupil on an Improved Performance Report for a period to be agreed so that his/her behaviour can be monitored. An Acceptable Behaviour Contract will be agreed and signed by the parents.

If the exclusion is permanent a Governors' Committee will meet to discuss the exclusion within five days of the exclusion. The Governors can either confirm the exclusion or reinstate the pupil.

In matters of non attendance or truancy then the school's Attendance Policy should be referred to.

All forms of bullying are not acceptable at Earlsheaton Technology College.

In the case of any reported incidences of bullying behaviour then the school's Bullying Policy should be referred to.

Confiscation can be used as a disciplinary sanction. Items that may be confiscated are those which may be deemed to be interfering with learning or that could impact upon the health and safety or welfare of other members of the school community. Staff have the right to seize, retain and/or dispose of such items. Whilst every effort will be made to return such items at a given time, the school does not accept liability for these items. Where appropriate parents will be requested to collect such items from school.

If a pupil refuses to handover such items to a member of staff, powers of search may be used.

If suspicion remains and the pupil does not surrender the requested item the member of staff should refer the matter to a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

At Earlsheaton Technology College the powers of search are given to

The Head Teacher
Associate Headteachers

All searches will be conducted in line with current DCSF guidelines.

The Headteacher can authorise a search of pupils or their possessions (including their bags or lockers) without their consent if there are reasonable grounds for doing so.

At Earlsheaton Technology College reasonable force will only be used if no alternative can be used.

The Education and Inspection Act 2006 outlines the power of members of staff to use force. Staff may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances for the purpose of preventing a pupil from doing or continuing to do any of the following:

Committing an offence.
Causing personal injury to or damaging the property of, any person (including the pupil himself/herself.
Prejudicing the maintenance of good order and discipline at the school or among pupils receiving education at the school, whether during a teaching session or otherwise.

Members of staff should always be aware of their own personal safety at all times and are reminded that they have an ongoing duty of care and a collective responsibility for maintaining good order and safety.

Safeguarding Children

Behaviour Policy