Lowell Girls' School Discipline Policy 

Introduction
Code of Conduct
Classroom expectations
School Rules
Rewards
The Management of University Behaviour
Appendix

As required by the 1970 Education Act, the Governors of the Lowell Girls' School have agreed on the following Discipline Policy for regular publication to parents and students.

INTRODUCTION

No organisation can achieve its aims without disciplined behaviour from its members. In Lowell Girls' School we aim for academic, social and personal discipline of the highest possible standards.

AIMS OF THE SCHOOL

Lowell Girls' School intends to give the best possible education to each of its students. We aim to develop the abilities of all our students so that they achieve appropriate knowledge concepts, skills and attitudes which will enable them to engage in satisfying careers and occupations, achieve maturity and independence and make useful contributions to society.

In order to do this we try to ensure that the knowledge and concern of the staff are focused effectively on the needs of the individual students. There is a structured plan of personal, educational and vocational guidance, and a regular assessment of the performance and progress of each student.

High standards of behaviour, appearance and work are expected. We encourage respect for others, self-discipline and participation in school activities. Good personal, social and academic discipline is the starting point for achieving success. We want our children to be happy and fulfilled at school and we offer a friendly social environment, encouragement to work, and opportunity to succeed.

We intend to maintain an orderly and disciplined school in which our aims can be achieved.

AIMS OF THE DISCIPLINE POLICY

The school offers a secure framework of accepted standards of conduct within which school work can be completed successfully. There is a code of conduct which all students are expected to observe and a set of rules for students.

Students must obey school rules, adopt the code of conduct and meet classroom expectations.

Should students fail to respond to encouragement and reminders to conform to the required standards of behaviour, then sanctions will be applied.

Lowell Girls' School intends that students should be able to carry out their school work without disruption by misbehaviour of other students.

The school will not permit the personal harassment or bullying of any student, nor will it tolerate fighting or other forms of violence as a means of settling arguments or disagreements.

Lowell Girls' School will not tolerate the involvement of students with illegal drugs and will permanently exclude for a first offence within the jurisdiction of the school.

Lowell Girls' School will not allow any student to persistently challenge the authority of the staff of the School.

Behaviour by students outside school at any time which damages the reputation of the School, do harm to other members of the School, whether staff or students, will be dealt with under this policy.

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CODE OF CONDUCT

Everyone should act with courtesy and consideration to others at all times. This means that:

1. You should try to understand other people's points of view.
2. In class you should make it as easy as possible for everyone to learn and for the teacher to teach. This means arriving on time with everything you need for that lesson, beginning and ending the lesson in a courteous and orderly way, listening carefully, following instructions, helping each other when appropriate and being quiet and reasonable at all times.
3. You should move gently and quietly about school. This means never running, barging or shouting, but being ready to help by opening doors, standing back to let people pass and helping to carry things. In crowded areas and corridors please keep to the left.
4. You should speak politely to everyone.
5. English is the only language for communication
6. You should be silent whenever you are required to be.
7. You should keep the school clean and tidy so that it is a welcoming place we can all be proud of. This means putting all litter in bins, keeping walls and furniture clean and unmarked and taking great care of the displays particularly of other people's work.
8. When out of school, you should always remember that the school's reputation depends on the way you behave.

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CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Classrooms (including labs, workshops, etc) are your places of work. Just as in any factory or office, there must be clearly understood rules and expectations to allow everyone to work successfully, safely and enjoyably.

Start of Lessons

• Enter rooms orderly and go straight to your workplace as instructed
• Take out books, pens and equipment
• Put bags away (not on desks)
• Remain silent during registration (except to answer when your name is called)

During Lessons

• When your teacher talks to the whole class, remain silent and concentrate
• If the class is asked a question, do not call out (unless you are asked for quick ideas); put up your hand and wait until you are asked to answer.
• You must have a pen, a pencil, a ruler, a homework diary, a workbook, a dictionery and any other books or folders needed.
• You are expected to work orderly with your classmates; do not distract or annoy them.
• If you arrive late without justifiable cause you must expect to be detained to make up the work.
• Homework must be recorded in your homework diary or academic diary. .
• Eating, drinking and chewing are not allowed in classrooms and compound.
• You must not leave a lesson without a note, or a pass from the teacher.

End of Lesson

• The bell and clocks are not signals for you; you should finish your work and pack your bag when told to by your teacher.
  

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SCHOOL RULES

These rules have been designed for the comfort and safety of everyone in the school. Students must observe not only these rules, but also all other instructions given to them by members of staff and prefects.

1. Students must attend regularly and must behave in an orderly manner whenever they are travelling to and from school. High standards of behaviour and dress are expected both inside and outside the school. Students must observe the school's rules about uniforms and appearance.
2. Students must be in class on time, but not before 5:30 a.m. , and with all the necessary books and equipment for their day's lesson.
3. During school hours students may not leave the uniform without the permission of a member of staff. All outings must be signed out at the Enquiries Office. Students who are unwell should report to the sickbay.
4. On compound students should behave quietly and orderly, walk (not run, or dawdle with friends) and keep to the left.
5. All clothing and personal property should be marked with the owner's name.
6. Outdoor clothings should not be worn in classrooms.
7. Smoking and or use of narcotic drugs, alcohol is not permitted.
8. Pupils may only eat sweets, crisps, sandwiches, or other foodstuffs at break-time, in the dining room not outside. Chewing gum and bubble gum should not be brought into school.
9. Radios, video cameras and personal stereos, mobile telephones should not be brought into school. Large sums of money and valuables should not be brought to school without permission from the member of staff.
10. Students must not use areas, rooms and doors which are out of bounds, or enter the premises at any other than approval times.
11. Litter should be placed in the bins provided.
12. Pupils should not climb onto the school roofs, or over the fences of neighbouring gardens.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND APPEARANCE

All pupils and students are required to wear the school uniform and observe the rules concerning appearance. In addition to other sanctions, any pupils who challenge these rules may be sent home from school. They will be re­admitted as and when they appear properly attired and conforming to the rules.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

A code of behaviour to ensure equal educational opportunities is in place. It seeks to eliminate all forms of unfair discrimination against members of the school.

Lowell Girls' School strives to create a culture in which employees, voluntary helpers, and students can feel confident of being treated with fairness, dignity and tolerance irrespective of their individual differences.

Discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, religion, creed or disability is contrary to the aims of Lowell Girls' School.

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REWARDS

A wide range of rewards for the good behaviour and effort is available to encourage pupils and students to do well.

MERIT SYSTEM AND AWARDS

Good work, effort and behaviour are to be commended by teachers whenever possible. Students in senior one and two are awarded merits for high standards of work and effort. These are cumulative and special badges and certificates awarded to students who gain a specific number of merits during the year. In senior three merits are replaced by different systems of awards. The Headteacher issues Letters of Commendation to acknowledge exceptional achievement of effort throughout Key Stages Three and Four.

As well as the above, students are awarded annual subject prizes. There is a range of special prizes for particular achievements.

THE MANAGEMENT OF UNSATISFACTORY BEHAVIOUR

In relation to both academic matters and personal behaviour (whether in class or around the school or even outside the school) there will be students whose performance does not respond to routine guidance and for whom formal disciplinary procedures are necessary.

These procedures have been approved by the Governing Body of the School.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

These procedures shall apply to all students enrolled in the school in senior One to senior Six and are intended to ensure consistent and fair treatment for all, appropriate to the maturity of the student.

The disciplinary rules and procedures shall apply to all cases where the student fails to observe the requisite standard of behaviour and performance.

MISBEHAVIOUR

Most misbehaviour in schools consists of incidents of chattering, lack of forethought, idleness, carelessness, forgetfulness, etc. and will be dealt with directly by teachers.

MISCONDUCT

Misconduct is any action which fails to reach the standards of conduct expected in the School. It must be recognised that, in certain cases, behaviour set out below as misconduct may constitute gross misconduct, depending on the situation.

Each case will be treated on its merits and as appropriate to the particular situations; examples of misconduct which could give rise to formal disciplinary procedures include:

1. Inappropriate, reckless or careless behaviour, especially if potentially dangerous.
2. Disruptive behaviour in classes or other situations.
3. Offensive behaviour, including use foul language.
4. Failure to complete work set in time allotted, or reasonable evidence of copying.
5. Damage to school and others' property; applying graffiti.
6. Misuse of computer systems and others electronics gadgets.
7. Failure to obey reasonable instructions from teachers and other members of the School Staff.
8. Breaches of School Rules, Codes of Conduct and Classroom Expectations
9. Conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.

GROSS MISCONDUCT

Certain actions are so serious that they would result in short-term or permanent exclusion from the School. For convenience, such actions are identified as Gross Misconduct.

The examples listed below are normally regarded as acts of Gross Misconduct, but are not intended to be either inclusive or exhaustive:

1. Repeated incidents of misconduct
2. Acts of gross negligence or recklessness or acts which are serious breaches of safety regulations, endangering, or likely to endanger, people or property.
3. Fighting, physical assault, threats of assault or intimidation of any person on School premises, or members of the School whether on or out of School premises.
4. Bullying.
5. Sexual misconduct.
6. Discriminatory behaviour on grounds of religion, tribe or disability.
7. Personal abuse or harassment of staff or students, whether on or off School premises.
8. Theft, dishonesty or unauthorised removal of school property. Serious damage to school property, or the property of others and misuse of the computer lab.
9. Possessive of or and being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
10. Reasonable suspicion of misuse of drugs or possession of illegal drugs, weapons or any other harmful material.
11. Breaches of the criminal law.

SANCTIONS

Misconduct by a pupil could result in one of a range of sanctions. All misconduct will be dealt with on an individual basis, and parents will be informed where there is a serious problem. 

Sanctions available to all teachers

• Reprimand
• Extra work
• Litter duty
• Lunch-time or after school detention

Additional sanctions available to senior staff.

• Being placed on report.

Additional sanctions available to Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher

• Extended day isolation
• Short term exclusion
• Pastoral support programme
• Permanent exclusion

Notes of sanctions:

Detentions:

• Parents will be given notice of all after school detentions
• Parents will be asked to complete a reply slip confirming receipt of the notification

Extended Day Isolation

This is a period of isolation from other pupils focussed on completing school work in a quiet controlled setting. It extends beyond the normal teaching day. This takes place in a class where pupils can be taught a well-defined educational programme for a short time and re-integration planned.

Pastrol Support Programmes

Pupils who do not respond to normal disciplinary procedures may be placed on a Pastrol Support Programme. This is a long-term programme of planned intervention designed to support the pupils and includes clear, reasonable and achievable targets to help manage their behaviour. The Pastrol Support Programme will automatically follow a pattern of fixed period exclusions but may also be instituted after a series of repeated misbehaviours and warnings. It will have a time limit of about twelve weeks. If the programme is not effective, it will be followed by permanent exclusion.

The pastrol support programme will involve parents and external support agencies (e.g. Teenage support centre). The programme will also act as a detailed record, available to the Governing Body, about the nature and outcome of interventions with pupils. It will be submitted to Governors in the event of a permanent exclusion as evidence of what the School has done to avoid the exclusion.

EXCLUSIONS:

• Exclusion, whether short-term or permanent, will only be imposed by the Headteacher (or a Deputy Headteacher in the Headteacher's absence)
• Although the Headteacher may exclude a pupil immediately, exclusion will normally be used after consideration of a report submitted by other staff of the school and after consideration of the general conduct of the student.
• In the case of short term exclusion, the Headteacher (or Deputy) will inform parents by letter and interview the parents before the pupil or student returns to school.
• School work will be set for a pupil excluded for more than three days; it will be marked and returned within two days.
• Pupils returning from short term exclusion will be placed on report Conditions may be set for future behaviour.
• Where permanent exclusion is being considered, the pupil or student will normally be excluded for a Short period and the Headteacher or Deputy will consult with parents and teachers before the final decision is made.
• In all cases of exclusion a letter of explanation will be sent home detailing the nature of the offence.
• Permanent exclusion may be used for a first offence (e.g. serious assault, possession of illegal drugs)

Anyone who introduces the drugs culture into the School, or to its students, including possession of and dealing in illegal drugs, will be excluded.

It should be recognised that certain incidents may involve calling in the police. However, police investigation or proceedings by them will not prevent action by the School.

A student who has been excluded may not enter School premises except with the permission of the Headteacher (or appointed Deputy).

The Headteacher (or appointed Deputy) is required to give written notice of any exclusion, including an indication of the reasons, to the Chairman of Governors.

When a pupil has been excluded more than once, any subsequent offence which might lead to exclusion will have the previous occasions taken into account and may result in permanent exclusion.

APPEALS

Parents may appeal to the Discipline Committee of the Governors against fixed term and permanent exclusion.

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APPENDIX

Our policy is to treat every case of misbehaviour and misconduct on its merits and with appropriate reference to the circumstances of each case and the maturity of the pupils and students. It would be difficult, therefore, to set a tariff of punishments according to incidents; indeed it would be quite inappropriate as this would pre-judge many incidents.

In order to give some idea of how particular misdemeanours will be addressed, it is worthwhile listing past incidents over a period of many years and they are likely to be seen as precedents in future operation of the Discipline Policy. For example, simple misbehaviour such as talking in class, unpunctuality or idleness will be dealt with by reprimands, extra work and detentions. Cases of misconduct, depending on their seriousness, will be dealt with by detentions, being placed on report, isolation during lesson and break times and short­term exclusion.

In short, when the safety of members of the school is seen to be at risk or the authority of the school is seriously undermined, permanent exclusion has been used. Failure to respond to the sanctions of the school by improving behaviour has also been dealt with by permanent exclusion.

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