|

1.1         Behaviour and Discipline Policy

The school seeks to prepare its pupils for the wider and longer experience of life beyond school and thus to educate them in certain qualities and values. These, amongst others, include: self-discipline, diligence, acceptance of responsibility and challenge, regard for proper authority, honesty, unselfishness, courtesy, fairness, trustworthiness, loyalty, sensitivity to the needs and views of others, courage, the capacity to look to the future.

The school aims to set high standards of behaviour which will support teaching and learning by providing pupils and staff with a framework of positive support and encouragement, by recognition and appreciation of achievement and by using a fair and consistent system of sanctions.  Whilst it is understood that there will be variations in staff acceptance and tolerance of pupils’ behaviour depending on the nature and context of the lesson or activity, all staff are expected to promote self-discipline amongst pupils and to deal with any unacceptable behaviour.  Behaviour which does not allow constructive teaching or learning is unacceptable and staff will ensure this is not tolerated.

Appreciation and Reward

Pupils should be valued as individuals and their talents, interests and developing personalities recognised, acknowledged and appreciated. Wherever possible, the positive aspects of any pupil should be emphasised, and any criticism should be constructive, and designed to enhance a pupil’s feeling of self-worth and not to dispirit.

Achievement is recognized and applauded in Chapel, Headmaster's assemblies, Speech Day, the award of colours, through written reports and publications, School Merits, and appointments to positions of responsibility including School and Form Monitors.

Support Systems

The school aims to support the management of behaviour by:

·        publishing school rules and anti-bullying policies,

·        the delivery of a comprehensive programme of PHSE,

·        pastoral support from House staff, Senior Teachers, counselling and medical staff,

·        half termly Care List meetings

Sanctions

Sanctions are applied when believed to be appropriate.  All staff must seek to ensure that punishments are proportionate to the offence, and should enable pupils to make reparation where possible.  As far as possible the punishment should be constructive.

Sanctions include:

·        Punishments imposed at the discretion of individual members of staff, but in accordance with the principles outlined above, for minor disciplinary matters.

·        Disciplinary Detention (one hour after school)

·        Sixth Form Academic Detention ( two hours after school in the Sixth Form Centre)

·        Headmaster’s Detention (two hours outside school hours)

·        Exclusion (temporary and permanent)

Other sanctions may be deemed necessary which fall outside the main sanctions listed above e.g. removal from the group/class or particular lesson, withholding participation in educational visits or sports events which are not essential to the curriculum.

The school will seek to ensure that all rewards and sanctions are applied fairly, consistently and in accordance with the school’s equal opportunities policy.

Corporal Punishment

In accordance with section 131 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, it is the policy of Hereford Cathedral School not to use corporal punishment.

1.2         Discipline and Exclusion Policy

The school publishes a Discipline and Behaviour Policy that details sanctions for misbehaviour.  The following specifically deals with major disciplinary issues.

The Governing Body make available to the Headmaster three sanctions.  These are:

·        Headmaster’s Detention, which takes place on a Saturday morning,

·        Suspension from School (also known as Temporary Exclusion) and

·        Expulsion (also known as Permanent Exclusion).

In some cases these sanctions will be evoked sequentially.  However a single breach of school discipline of a major kind may justify permanent exclusion without any previous Headmaster’s sanction having been invoked.

The Headmaster does not generally award Headmaster’s Detention more than twice, and will nearly always impose suspension or expulsion on any occasion when a third Headmaster’s Detention is merited.

Suspension (Temporary exclusion)

Only the Headmaster or in his absence either Deputy can suspend a pupil.  Before deciding to suspend a pupil the Headmaster will:

·        Ensure that an appropriate investigation has been conducted;

·        Ensure that all the relevant evidence has been considered;

·        Give the pupil an opportunity to be heard

·        Consult other relevant people if necessary

Work will generally be set for a pupil to do at home during the period when they are suspended. In addition, consideration will be given to any relevant problems of the suspended pupil and how they might be addressed in the interim together with reintegration post-suspension.

The Headmaster or Deputy will inform parents without delay by telephone, followed up by a letter stating the length of suspension, and the reasons.

Suspension constitutes a clear warning about continued membership of the school and this warning should be regarded as final.  The Headmaster is in all cases reluctant to suspend more than twice.  No pupil who is suspended for a second occasion may return to the school without the Headmaster having obtained the approval of the Chairman of the Governing Body or, in his absence, another member of the Governing Body.

Expulsion (Permanent exclusion)

Since suspension should always be regarded as a warning that permanent exclusion may follow next, the Headmaster considers that all pupils and their parents should clearly understand the consequences of expulsion.  Some parents prefer, after due consideration, voluntarily to withdraw their child rather than school imposing expulsion.  However, it must clearly be understood that the Headmaster reserves the right to insist on permanent exclusion.

Only the Headmaster can expel a pupil and before doing so the Headmaster will follow the same procedure as for suspension.

In making decisions about exclusion the Headmaster will take into account any special educational needs, disabilities, gender and cultural differences that may be relevant to the case, as well as an agreed list of issues relating to exclusion.

Appeal

A decision to expel a pupil is not taken lightly and before it is reached the Headmaster will have given careful consideration to any representations by the parents.  In the process, he will consult the Chairman (or in his absence the Deputy Chairman) of Governors and an agreed list of issues relating to exclusion.

If the decision is confirmed, the parents will be informed immediately and they may, if they wish, communicate with the Governors, by letter.  Any such letter should be addressed to The Clerk to the Governors at the School.  If parents wish Governors to review the case, they should set out the nature of their complaint in writing, detailing the nature of their grievance and the reasons they see for review.

Any review will be carried out by Governors who have up to that point had no involvement in the case.  This review will not seek to re-examine all the circumstances of the case.  This would be impracticable because the Governors could not hope to have the detailed knowledge of the background, the past behaviour of the pupil etc., which is available to the Headmaster.  The review will instead concentrate on such issues as whether the pupil was given proper opportunity to answer the charges made, and whether the decision was fair and reasonable.

The decision of the Governors will be communicated to the parents, and is final.