Our discipline policy seeks 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.

Standards of behaviour

In the prep school, teachers will make pupils aware of class rules, which will often be discussed during circle time and/or displayed on the classroom wall. In addition to these class rules, the prep school has, through a process of consultation with pupils, drawn up a code of conduct, which all pupils are made aware of and are expected to maintain. (See Code of Conduct)

In the senior school pupils are made aware of school rules through the Homework Diary, the Transition Booklet for Year Seven and through tutor sessions with Form Tutors.

School rules are communicated to parents by letter when they have accepted a place at the school and to all parents, annually, by letter sent home by the Headmistress and Head of the Prep Department for the commencement of the new academic year.

Children's Code of Conduct - Prep School

• When people are upset try to help them in the best way you can and inform a teacher. Be kind and sympathetic.
• Always be polite and make people feel welcome. Remember manners, opening doors and, of course, please and thank you.
• Make work easier for the duty ladies by being good mannered and thoughtful.
• Try hard at all things and do your best but always seek help if you are stuck.
• Always respect equipment.
• Keep the school clean and tidy and help put things away after being used.
• Walk in school and keep to the left of corridors.
• Try to be punctual, arriving at school on time and completing work in the set time, including homework.
• Try to keep noise at a sensible level.
• If anyone has an accident on the playground tell the nearest teacher or duty lady.
• Try to understand other people's point of view.
• Be aware of children smaller than yourself.
• The older children should set an example to the younger children.
• Line up quickly when the whistle blows and remember, no talking.

Code of Conduct - Senior School

The following recommendations were made by the School Council February 2007 and will be ratified by the Governing Body.

• Try to understand other people's point of view and be reasonable and sensitive.
• Try to walk to the left of the corridors and stairs
• Smile and greet staff as you pass them, especially first thing in the morning
• Be aware of staff or visitors at doorways and wait for them
• Always show appreciation for events and trips which are organised for you and thank staff who run trips and visits - this includes the coach driver.
• Ensure your parents turn up on time to collect you on your return from a trip.
• Always have exemplary behaviour for visitors or volunteer helpers and always show appreciation and thanks.
• Always place your rubbish in the bin. This is very important with food eaten at break and in classrooms at lunchtime.
• Aim to be proactive in raising money for charities, including Cafod
• Be punctual to lessons
• Meet deadlines absolutely for homework and for examination work

The school rules in the senior school state that girls should:

• observe the highest standards of behaviour on the journey to and from school.
• arrive punctually for morning and afternoon registrations and lessons.
• remain on the school site throughout the school day, unless permission has been granted to leave the premises. Pupils sign out in the in the General Office. Pupils sign in at the General Office if returning after an appointment and if they have arrived at school after registration.
• enter the Senior School by the Marian Hall, they do not use the Senior School Foyer.
• move around the school quietly and to the left.
• use the stairs next to the Library to go up and the stairs near the Senior School office to come down.
• respond immediately in the Preparatory playground to the whistle. The first whistle requires Preparatory School pupils to line up near the doors, the second whistle is for silence to enable the teacher to give instructions to enter the school.
• eat break in the Marian Hall (Seniors).
• eat lunches in the Marian Hall (Ist to IVth Form) . Fifth Form students may eat packed lunches in their form rooms but hot lunches must be eaten in the Marian Hall.
• eat food at the prescribed times and in the allocated areas only. Do not eat or drink in other areas. Use the litterbins provided. Chewing gum and bubble gum must not be brought into school.
• go to the Marian Hall if traveling by school bus at the end of the day and wait to be summoned by a Prefect. Preparatory School pupils will be supervised by staff and escorted to their bus.
• bring notes from home detailing all absences promptly - within five working days.
• maintain the highest standards of respect for all property and people.
• be aware that illegal drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, dangerous implements, and correcting fluid are completely forbidden in school.
• control language and adopt the highest standards of courtesy and consideration.
• attend all lessons with the necessary books, pens, pencils, clothing etc.
• take care of all exercise, text books, homework diaries and other equipment.
• complete and submit all homework assignments and coursework to deadline.
• avoid bringing large sums of money or valuables to school. If there is no option money/valuables should be deposited with the Form Tutor or in the school office for safekeeping. The school cannot be held responsible.
• wear the school's uniform and appropriate footwear as outlined in the uniform list. Maintain uniform in good condition - hems sewn up, holes and tears repaired or replacement uniform purchased.
• wear the school blazer to and from the school.
• not wear jewellery apart from one small ring, a discreet cross on a chain and one ear stud or sleeper in each ear.
• wear no make up or nail polish. Permanent or extreme colours of hair dye are not acceptable. Girls may be asked to visit a hairdresser to restore hair to normal colour. Once hair reaches the shoulder it must be tied back with a discreet tie and must not fall over the face but be clipped back.
• keep mobile phones locked in lockers. They must not be used whilst in school. They will be confiscated if used and returned at the discretion of the Headmistress. Any URGENT phone call can be made by the General Office. Girls will not be allowed to make unnecessary calls.
• not bring iPods, Walkmans or electronic games to school.
• Be aware that Preparatory School children must be accompanied by an adult when moving around the Senior School or visiting the playing fields.
• in the Preparatory School bring only a small toy or small ball into school. Large footballs must not be brought to school.

Physical Restraint

To prevent injury or serious damage to property, it may be necessary, rarely, to use physical restraint. Physical restraint is, and always should be, a last resort. In restraining any pupil, staff should ensure that minimal force is used only at a level to regain control of the situation and prevent further injury or damage. Physical restraint is not used as a sanction.

Rewards

It is central to our school's ethos that pupils should be rewarded regularly by oral and written reinforcement. Pupils respond well to encouragement and approval from their teachers. All children should be encouraged to behave well by frequent expression of approval by all staff. The application of this policy should be seen to be consistent and fair.