Code of Conduct

CONTINUATION OF STUDY AGREEMENT

Our Aims and Values 

We want everyone in school to develop to their full potential; it is our job to ensure that students leave us as confident, life-long learners who have a strong sense of responsibility for themselves and for others.

We are a learning community with a positive, inclusive and friendly environment where we take the time to get to know our students so we can support their learning and their personal development.  We seek to develop a strong partnership between students, parents and the school to enable this to take place.  We encourage all stakeholders to involve themselves in the wider life of the school and its community.

Our overriding aim is to provide the highest quality education for all students.  Our commitment is to help each young person to make the most of their abilities, building their character and developing their life skills.  Students are challenged to do their best and are supported to ensure that they make good progress.  In return we expect a commitment to high standards of effort and behaviour.

REady

  • Attend school every day where possible
  • Always wear the correct and smart uniform
  • Be on time to school and all lessons
  • Mobile phones must be switched off between 8:50a.m. and 3:15p.m. and not seen or heard
  • Have correct equipment ready

respect

  • Be respectful to our school and the environment
  • Be polite and respectful to all members of our school community
  • Walk sensibly and keep to the left
  • Act safely at all times
  • Follow instructions from staff
  • Be tolerant and respectful of different faiths and beliefs

Strive

  • Be enthusiastic and engaged
  • Show a determination to do your best
  • Reflect on your learning
  • Learn from mistakes
  • Celebrate success

Now that you are in the Sixth Form things change.  The aim of this Code is to help you and your parents to manage the changes that you will experience in order to be successful in Post-16 Education.  In the Sixth Form we recognise the importance to students of having a greater freedom and individual control of your learning.  However, there is a difficult balance between such freedoms and maintaining the disciplined approach needed for success in the very demanding ‘world’ of Post-16 Education.  Many of the aspects covered in this Code are common sense ideas but we hope that by following it will help students find the ideal balance to be happy and successful in their learning.

Our aim – WHAM (Work Hard, Achieve More)

Our aim is for all students in the Sixth Form to work hard and achieve more.  We want all students in the Sixth Form to develop to their full potential.  We follow the whole school policies on attendance, punctuality and behaviour.

Achievement

Students are expected to work hard and meet deadlines so they can maximise their achievement in their subjects.  If students do not meet deadlines, sanctions will take place as in the School behaviour policy.  Independent learning and study is essential to being a successful Sixth Form student. To encourage independent learning, students can have private study. These are ‘non-contact’ lessons where students are to work independently.

Students are expected to: 

  • Be prepared, equipped and organised for lessons
  • Work hard at all the subjects they study
  • Complete all homework and coursework on time and to the best of their ability
  • Keep organised and manage deadlines
  • Make effective use of private study time

Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance and punctuality are monitored closely in the Sixth Form; this monitoring is to ensure students are coping with the responsibility of managing their own time along with demonstrating the necessary commitment to their studies to enable them to be successful.  The School expects a minimum attendance rate of 96%. 

Students are expected to:

  • Attend all registration sessions, lessons, PSHE lessons and assemblies where possible
  • Arrive at the latest at 8:50 to registration
  • Not arrange driving lessons and routine medical appointments in school time
  • Not miss school for any reason linked to part-time work
  • Not assume because a member of staff is absent that the lesson is not taking place.  Students must report to the lesson as usual unless told otherwise
  • Sign in and out of the school site as directed

Behaviour

Sixth Form Students are expected to behave in a mature and responsible way both in lessons and around the School Site.  Students are reminded that they are now in a position of responsibility and that they should set an example to younger students in school. The School Behaviour Code applies to all Sixth Form Students.

Students are expected to:

  • Show respect to yourself, staff and other students
  • Respect the school's resources and environment
  • Not smoke or use a vape in or around the school
  • Not consume alcohol during school hours

Common Room and the library

The Sixth Form Common Room is a communal social space for use by both Year 12 and 13 students.  This facility is a privilege and students are reminded of the need for them to act in a sensible and courteous way when in this environment.  Sixth Form students are responsible for maintaining the tidy appearance of this room.

Students are expected to:

  • Respect the facilities in the Common Room
  • Put all litter in bins provided
  • Not play ball games in the Common Room – ball games are only permitted outside during break and lunchtimes
  • Not play music or videos during lesson times
  • To make ‘productive’ use of their time whilst in the Common Room
  • To use a borrowed laptop responsibly and return it

Sixth Form Students are provided with a separate work area upstairs in the Library to enable them to have access to a quiet study environment and to use facilities specifically purchased by the School to aid Sixth Form study. 

Students are expected to:

  • Work quietly in the study area
  • Respect the facilities, including resources and ICT equipment
  • Not eat and drink
  • Return borrowed resources
  • Only use mobile phones as a study resource (no sound as the area is for quiet working only)

Dress Code

All Students in the Sixth Form are to wear their photo ID Lanyard at all times. Students must wear their lanyard to all examinations. If students are experiencing difficulties in maintaining their uniform they should discuss the issue with their Form Tutor.

Sixth form uniform

School life

Students have the privilege of parking on site in the Sixth Form car park.  Permission to park may be withdrawn if students show irresponsible behaviour.  All students must complete a driver registration form in order to use the car park and display their Parking Permit clearly on dashboard when using the Sixth Form Car Park.  The school accepts no responsibility for the cars of students or their contents whilst parked on the school premises.

Students are expected to:

  • Park sensibly and consider others                                                                      
  • Not park on any staff or public car parks
  • Drive safely and carefully, considering the safety of others

Site access

During the school day Johnson gate will be locked. If students wish to arrive and leave through this gate during the day, they need to provide a deposit for a fob via ParentPay. If Students return their fob at the end of their studies, the deposit is returned.

Events and Trips

Throughout the year, the Sixth Form take part in a variety of trips and events.  The school will send you information about each trip or activity before it takes place.

By signing this Code of Conduct you also give permission for students to study independently at home during their study periods, once school has awarded students this privilege.

As young adults, the Sixth Form are given the responsibility to make their way to and from events independently where appropriate. Students and parents/carers should make individual arrangements about when students are expected to return home.

Parents/carer’s Responsibilities

The support of parents and guardians is crucial to the success of students in the Sixth Form.  

As part of the Code of Conduct we ask parents to aim to:

  • Ensure my child attends school regularly, is punctual and wears the correct uniform
  • Report an absence using 07860 034183
  • Complete a Leave of Absence Form for any planned absences (including a driving test)
  • Help and support my child with organisation as they take on more independent study
  • Maintain contact with school
  • Support and reinforce the school's behaviour code and Sixth Form Code of Conduct
  • Provide a suitable environment for homework and coursework and take an interest in the work my child is doing

Unfortunately ignoring this Code of Conduct will result in individual sanctions.

Continuation of Study Policy

We have a continuation of study policy because we want the best outcome for our students.

In order to continue with their studies in the Sixth Form, students must follow the agreed Code of Conduct. Attendance, attainment and behaviour will be monitored on a regular basis. Attendance that falls below 90% is a serious concern and will put a student's place at risk. Students are not allowed to repeat a year unless there are serious extenuating circumstances.

No single assessment will result in a student not being allowed to continue their studies. However, if a student continually fails their assessments in school and there is no improvement following agreed interventions, there is no viable programme for a student to follow in school

Interventions take place in the following ways:

  • Subject teacher → Second/Head of Department → Assistant Achievement/ Achievement Leader →Senior Leadership Team
  • Form tutor → Assistant Achievement/ Achievement Leader → Senior Leadership Team
  • Parents/guardians are kept informed in the following ways:
  • Email, telephone call, letter, G4S notifications, Parents Evenings
  • Students will be given the opportunity to improve their attendance, attainment and behaviour patterns.

If following intervention and communication there is no measurable improvement we will help to arrange alternative educational provision and the student will not be able to continue with their Sixth Form studies at King Edward VI School.