This document is a statement of the aims and procedures for maintaining achievement and acceptable behaviour within Alton Convent School. The school's Governing Body, staff and pupils are committed to high standards of behaviour and discipline is upheld through expectation of these standards being maintained.

Rationale

To ensure that all in the school are aware of the expected behaviour standards within the school community and work together to maintain those standards.

The school seeks to provide a happy, stimulating and caring environment that will enable each child to be the best that they can be. The school promotes and reinforces acceptable behaviour for pupils. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions.

The Headmistress is ultimately responsible for maintaining discipline. This duty is delegated, via the Deputy Headmistress and the Head of the Prep Department, to all staff, who are responsible for maintaining the standards set by the school both within the school environment and on school trips and visits. Staff work together to maintain appropriate standards of behaviour, dress and courtesy at all times.

Rewards

Prep School

In the prep school, teachers operate a star chart system for recognizing effort, achievement, acts of kindness etc. In Key Stage 2 the accumulation of a number of stars is converted into a credit point. Credit points may additionally be rewarded for particular effort, outstanding work, real progress, consistent helpfulness and acts of kindness beyond normally expected good behaviour.

Credit points are recorded on pupils' individual ‘credit cards' and teachers maintain their own records of points gained. Completed cards are presented to the Head of the Prep Department. Bronze, silver and gold certificates are presented in assembly to pupils completing one, two or three credit cards respectively.

Senior School

Each girl has a Record Card. Rewards may be given for a variety of reasons including academic achievement, effort and helpfulness. The Form Tutor will check the cards and record the numbers of credits gained by individuals for the week.. The Director of Student Services will keep a weekly check of accumulated credits and warnings.

A range of certificates are awarded to individuals and additional awards, certificates, colours, medals, shields and cups are presented at assemblies or Presentation Evening..

Sanctions and disciplinary action

Disciplinary action needs to be measured against the school's rules and codes of conduct. Pupils need to know the boundaries of acceptable behaviour and be encouraged to develop their own sense of self-discipline and conscience in accordance with the ethos of the school.

Bad behaviour should be dealt with quickly. Sanctions should be appropriate and as immediate as possible.

Staff may employ sanctions for unacceptable behaviour including the following:

• a straight reprimand/rebuke/disapproval of conduct;
• change of seat;
• repeat of work/additional work;
• loss of break time;
• referring to a colleague, pastoral co-ordinator, or senior member of staff;
• contacting parents.

Additional sanctions exist in the senior school.

Staff may give W on student record cards for unacceptable behaviour. The use of a W (warning) on student record cards accumulate into a detention on a Tuesday after school.

A detention may be given for a single serious offence.

In cases of persistent bad behaviour or of more serious misconduct staff will notify the Head of the Prep Department (prep school) or Year Co-ordinators and/or Deputy Headmistress (senior school) who will take the appropriate steps. If deemed appropriate he/she will refer the issues to the Headmistress.

If parents need to be contacted regarding unacceptable behaviour, this must be done by the head of the Prep Department, Deputy Headmistress, or the Headmistress only.

Internal Exclusions

An internal exclusion of a short duration may be used at the discretion of the Headmistress or Deputy Headmistress.

Exclusions

Only incidents considered to be serious will attract immediate exclusion. Exclusions are either fixed term or permanent. The alleged infringement must be properly investigated.

Here there is zero tolerance regarding:

• the use or bringing onto site of cigarettes, alcohol or non-prescription drugs
• violence against fellow pupils or staff.

Automatic exclusion will follow.

In deciding whether to exclude a pupil, the headmistress shall consider:

• The age and health of the pupil;
• Previous record at the school;
• Parental or peer group pressure;
• Severity of the offence and likelihood of repetition;
• Extent to which behaviour affects other pupils;
• Whether the offence took place in or out of school, and, if out of school, whether it has a serious impact on the school;
• Extent and significance of violation of school rules;
• Whether the pupil was part of a group.

Parents must be informed prior to the commencement of any exclusion period.

The governing body must be informed of any exclusions at the following Governors' meeting.

Parents have the right to make representations and to appeal in accordance with the school's complaints procedure

Permanent exclusion is a last resort.