Babylon Academy

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct plays a vital role in fulfilling the aim that students behave in a way which allows the school to run smoothly and provide a high-quality education for them. This Code applies during the school day, including break times, lunchtimes, school journeys, visits and extracurricular activities.

 

The Code of Conduct upholds the rights of all members of the school community to:

• Feel comfortable and secure
• Be treated with respect
• Work in a pleasant environment

 

Students are therefore expected to:

• Show courtesy and respect to others, including staff, fellow students, or visitors
• Uphold the Equal Opportunities policy
• Behave sensibly in school, to and from school, and in the wider community
• Work hard in school and on homework assignments
• Respect and care for school premises, property as well as the property of others
• Behave in a way which does not bring the name of the school into disrepute, including travel to and from school

 

Students should not act in a way which harms others, puts them at risk, or causes distress. This includes:

• Any form of bullying, racist and sexist behaviour (this includes verbal, physical or technological communication)
• The use of physical or threatening violence (this includes verbal, physical or technological communication)
• Retaliating with violence to provocation
• Behaviour that is rude, discourteous or dismissive to the authority of staff and the school
• Acting irresponsibly or dangerously
• Being in possession of, or using items which are considered dangerous or illegal
• Misusing equipment; including but not limited to safety equipment such as the deliberate setting off of fire alarms
• Disrupting the education of others
• Any form of vandalism/damage to school property (including the building, its contents and the belongings of staff, students and visitors)
• Theft

Breaking the Code of Conduct is a serious matter and will usually result in a fixed-term exclusion from school for a specified number of days. Permanent exclusion may be considered following a series of breaches, particularly those which disrupt the learning of others, undermine discipline, damage the school’s reputation, or when a student fails to recognise the authority of the school or places themselves beyond its control. In exceptional circumstances, a permanent exclusion may be imposed for a first or one-off offence, for example:

• A serious violent act
• Theft
• Carrying of or use of any dangerous/illegal weapons and fireworks
• Purchasing, being in possession of, taking, selling/distributing or participating in any act involving illegal drugs
• Misuse of legal drugs or prescription medicines

This is not an exhaustive list.

Exclusions are at the discretion of the Headteacher. Individual circumstances will be considered.

 

Deterring Unacceptable Behaviour in School

1- In the classroom, the teacher will warn the student with a gesture to discourage unacceptable behaviour that disrupts the learning process

2- If the behaviour is repeated, the teacher will summon the student during recess to warn them of the unacceptable behaviour and remind them of the school's code of conduct and the consequences of violating it. They will then obtain a promise to stop

3- In case the behaviour is repeated again, the teacher will speak with the student again for 10 minutes during recess and remind them of their previous promise. This time, one point will be deducted from their score for the end-of-year outstanding students selection process

4- When this occurs repeatedly, the teacher may send the student to the office to wait there for 15 minutes during the break time. This will deduct two points from their score for the end-of-year outstanding students selection process

5- If this occurs over again, the student will be summoned to the school office to be reminded again of their repeated violations of the school's code of conduct. They will be required to remain in the school office for 30 minutes during recess and they will be deducted three points from their score. The teacher will also prepare a behaviour evaluation form, which includes identifying and documenting the student's unacceptable behaviours. The student will sign a pledge to correct these behaviours according to a written agreement. This will be the last opportunity before the parent is summoned to the school office to intervene to deter these unacceptable behaviours

6- If all the above measures fail, the school office will summon the parent to discuss the series of unacceptable behaviours recorded in the student's record, along with the behaviour evaluation form and the pledge signed by the student. They will then be given a final warning to correct these behaviours before the school is forced to expel the student from school; either partially or permanently. This will be at the discretion of the school office with the decision being proportionate, appropriate and with consideration to the circumstances of each individual case.