Rewards and Sanctions
The school has a clear behaviour policy, and a series of expectations of the way that students should behave when at school. For transgressions of expectations that attract more serious sanctions, these will generally reflect those values upheld by our society. i.e treating each other with respect, care and tolerance; avoiding prejudice, abuse of others and/or criminal acts.
Why have school sanctions?
In the same way that parents or carers use praise, reward and the removal of privileges to encourage their children to behave in the way that they would wish, the school also uses rewards and sanctions.
For many minor matters, a discussion of the issues and the way to address these is sufficient. Where there is an ongoing problem, or the misbehaviour is more serious, then this discussion will be accompanied by sanctions.
The purpose of sanctions is to reinforce that certain behaviours or attitudes are not acceptable. For more serious ongoing matters, sanctions also serve as a form of warning that failure to correct misbehaviour could lead to temporary or, in extreme cases, permanent removal from the school in order to protect others’ education or well-being.
Deciding the sanction that applies
When an incident occurs, then a sanction will be set by the relevant member of staff in line with the school behaviour policy and the HACH Sanctions chart.
There are times when an incident needs investigation before a decision can be made. This may be because it is a reported concern without direct evidence as yet and/or because student accounts are at variance with other reports. In these instances, the following general procedure is followed:
1. Students concerned are asked to give an account through writing a statement and investigatory staff will ask additional questions to clarify sequencing, detail or any apparent discrepancies
2. Any witnesses will be asked for their account; this will include students and staff. Where possible, witnesses who are neutral i.e. not part of involved students’ friendship groups, will be used.
3. Any camera footage of the area at the time will be viewed
4. A decision will be made as to the likely pattern of events based on the evidence collected.
The school will make the final decision of the sanction that applies in any situation; this is its responsibility. Any decision is not subject to parental/carer approval, though the school would make every effort for parents/carers to understand the reasons behind its decision and how this complies with its behaviour policy.
The school will not accept that any individual student should be exempt from school sanctions. All students must comply with sanctions set by the school.
