Professional Conduct Policy

(Positive Behaviour Policy)

For the academic year 2024/25.

As a sixth form college the language we use instead of behaviour is ‘professional conduct’. And when we talk about culture we refer to our ‘ways of being’ and ‘co-operative values’.

Responsibility

• Responsible staff: Assistant Principal Culture & Personal Development
• Policy administrator: Christine Butterfield
• Approving body: Governors

1. Policy Statement and Purpose

1.1 College Curriculum Intent

Our aim is to teach students to conduct themselves in a manner that is suitable for a professional environment. We want students to be able to:

• Access their next steps
• Succeed in their next steps
• Thrive and contribute positively to their communities

We want the students who leave us to be ‘work ready’ co-operators

1.2. Purpose of the Policy

This policy explains the approach we take at Connell Co-op College to ‘behaviour’ and outlines the expectations we have of students. It also explains what actions we will take when students do not meet our expectations - how we will support them and challenge them to change their mindset so that when they leave Connell they are ready to succeed in their next steps. Our model throughout is  based on the world of work and what it means to behave professionally.

The purpose of the policy is to provide all stakeholders with a clear overview of:

• Expectations
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Consequences for poor conduct

1.3 Related Policies

Our polices are the tools we use to maintain our culture when things are going wrong. They guide us about what steps to take and when. They inform students and families about how we will respond when a young person is not meeting our expectations and help us to be consistent and fair in our approach. They help us keep everyone safe and ensure the needs of the individual are met.

Related policies include:

• The Attendance and Punctuality Policy
• The Acceptable Use of Technology Policy (included in the student agreement)
• The Preventing Bullying Policy

• The Positive Handling Policy
• The Admissions Policy

We also refer staff to our Staff Handbook and our Guidelines for Dealing with Difficult Situations.

2. Expectations and Ways of Being

We expect our students to make mistakes and learn from them. We expect that sometimes they will fail. We expect them to be able to behave as professionals in the workplace from the first day they arrive at College. However, we recognise that making the transition from expectations within a school to the expectations of the world of work can be difficult. Therefore we support our students to transition through:

• A thorough induction process - BE CONNELL
• Regular reminders  - through lessons, CORE curriculum and our comms
• By modelling the behaviours we expect - in all of our interactions with them  
• By calling it out - when they don’t meet our expectations

We praise and reward students for demonstrating our ways of being just as often as we do for academic success.

We help them to understand that employers want ‘the right people’ just as much as they want their high grades and we use encounters with employers and other professionals as tools to do this.

We need our students to make the most of every learning opportunity.

3. Rights and Responsibilities

3.1 Students

Students have the right to feel safe, respected and valued everywhere in the building and beyond in their interactions with other members of the college in person or online.

Students have the right to be taught in an effective learning environment, free from distraction and disruption where teaching time is focused on teaching and learning and not challenging poor conduct.

We ask students to take responsibility for their part in our college culture. We demand that they speak up and speak out as part of their social and moral duty to ensure equity, equality and solidarity.

Everyone has the right to an education.

Therefore at our college:

• No one has the right to act in a way to make another student feel that they do not belong at our College. We do not tolerate hate speech or discrimination - in actions or words, in college or outside (including on social media).
• Conduct that impedes on teaching and learning is not accepted and will not be tolerated.

We expect students to work with us and accept support that is offered. When students repeatedly fail to improve conduct, in spite of support, they take valuable resources away from others and therefore support offered will be time bound and limited.

3.2 Staff

All members of staff have the right to feel safe and respected at work. They have the right to carry out their role without interruption or distraction caused by poor conduct of students.

We expect staff to complete the professional development (appropriate to their role) provided to enable them to support our students effectively with matters of conduct. This includes:

• Induction to the college
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of policies and procedures
• Completing training as directed to ensure that have a understanding of the contexts of our students and how this can impact their behaviours

We expect staff to treat students with respect and dignity like they would any adult colleague in our college. At all times they must model the behaviours we expect from our students.

When a student does not meet our expectations, members of staff will challenge this and will inform parents and carers in line with our procedures. Records of poor conduct will be made by colleagues. This will include the actions taken by the member of staff to help prevent the student from making the same error again. We encourage all colleagues to notify parents/carers of any conduct issue swiftly.

3.3 The Role of Senior Managers and Leaders within the College

Managers and leaders must model the very highest standards of professionalism in all their interactions with colleagues and students. They must have expert knowledge and be able to provide advice and guidance to other colleagues. In addition they must monitor and quality assure the systems we use and where needed challenge others if they are not meeting our expectations.

At times managers and leaders will act as facilitators for restorative meetings between individual students or sometimes between students and colleagues.

Leaders and managers will respond to any concerns about how systems and processes are being applied.

The leader responsible for this policy and all related procedures is the Principal

3.4 The Role of Parents and Carers

When a student first enrols at the college we make parents and carers aware of our expectations of students in terms of conduct (see appendix). We explain that we need to work together as a team to support their child to succeed.

We expect parents and carers to notify us of any concerns they have regarding the wellbeing or progress of their child.

We need parents and carers to support us when we challenge their child. In particular by helping to explain our expectations and giving the same message we do about what is acceptable conduct in a place of work.

We also need parents and carers to encourage their child to accept the support we offer to help them improve their mindset and improve their conduct.

Parents and carers provide the most effective support when they:

• check their child’s attendance and progress in Arbor regularly
• read and respond to our communications
• attend parents/carers evenings or any other meetings they are invited to

We promise to notify parents and carers when we are concerned and to give them the opportunity to help us understand their child better so that we can work together to support them to succeed.

4. Developing and Maintaining Our Ways of Being and Co-operative Values

When we recruit colleagues we explore their understanding of our ways of being and also the challenges faced by students in our locality at this age. Only those who score well in these areas will be appointed to work at the College.

During induction colleagues familiarise themselves with key policies and our ways of working including the kind of ‘scripts’ we encourage staff to use when addressing issues relating to conduct.

All staff complete annual safeguarding training and have additional training on the safeguarding issues that particularly impact our community.

All staff complete additional training on:

• De-escalation
• Brand and Tone of Voice
• Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Protective factors in the classroom that support students MH and Wellbeing
• Understanding the teenage brain
• Positive behaviour approaches such as ‘positive framing’ and the ‘warm demander’

This training is updated and revisited every three years.

To ensure a consistent culture we regularly remind colleagues about what we expect, both through visual reminders (such as signage throughout the building) and also through briefings, meetings and our regular training. Our expectations around promoting our culture and living out our co-operative values and ways of being, also feature in all our job descriptions so that everyone is held to account for their part in creating and maintaining our culture.

Similarly we support our students through:

• An interview and recruitment process which places emphasis on our ways of being and what we expect.
• An induction process which teaches students about

• our ways of being, what they mean and how we expect them to live them out
• our expectations and what this looks like in practice
• our policies and rules and why we have them

• A curriculum which regularly teaches students about social norms, legal rights and moral duty, within the framework of our values and what employers ‘want’ from their employees

Student understanding is enhanced through guest speakers and other experiences such as live performances.

Students are regularly reminded of what we expect through assemblies, our regular comms, visual cues around the college and in their Student Handbook and of course by our staff.

5. Recognition and Celebration of Achievement and Success

All members of staff are able to reward and recognise students through commendations, termly awards and ‘student of the week’ nominations. Students receive certificates, public mention and messages to their parents/carers. They also receive vouchers as a reward for their effort.

Student of the week:

• £10
• Name & reason in Friday Notes
• Email to them & parent/carer
• (All nominees are also named in the Friday Note)

Ways of being/Academic progress or Achievement:

• Certificate in Assembly during termly awards/end of year awards (£10)
• Email to them and parent/carer explaining who nominated them and what for

Commendations:

• Given throughout the year and recorded in Arbor (e.g. academic, kindness, helping at an event, etc)
• Annual total combined for bronze - platinum awards with vouchers (£10 - £50) and certificates

In addition those who achieve 100% attendance are also rewarded with a £10 voucher each half term and those who achieve consecutive attendance awards get pin badges to wear on their lanyards.

Pin badges are also used to recognise participation and contribution to college events.

Academic Achievement and Progress are also celebrated termly by year group with certificates and a £10 voucher from each subject area.

Students can also nominate staff for awards through our ‘colleague of the month’ - the winner is announced in the Friday Note and students get to hear about why they have been nominated and their role in College.

We also encourage students to say thank you  and ‘thank a member of staff’ post card box appears at the end of each year.

6. Classroom/Learning Expectations (Including Attendance and Punctuality)

6.1 The student agreement

Our expectations are similar to those in any school or place of work. ‘If you wouldn’t do it in an office environment then we don’t expect you to do it here.’

As part of enrolment we ask all students to sign the following agreement

6.2 How we’re different to school

Key changes from school that students should note are as follows

• Students are not required to be on the college premises outside of lessons unless instructed to do so.
• Students can address staff by their first names.
  Students do not have to wear a uniform but they must wear their lanyard at all times and play their part in being responsible for our security - any visitors must report to reception and ‘friends’ from other colleges are not allowed on to our premises. As described in the student conduct commitment above, students must dress appropriately for their course and our college, which is a place of learning and work.
• Students are allowed a mobile phone and other devices but must not let them be a distraction or use them to record (still or moving) images or audio of other people without their consent. It is not possible to gain consent from all people in communal areas so recording is not permitted in these areas for any reason.
• We expect the highest levels of attendance and that like an employee, we expect students to ‘push’ through what any reasonable person would consider minor illnesses and attend in spite of them. We expect students to use strategies such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle to enable them to maintain high attendance and still make effective recovery from minor illnesses. If a student is very unwell then they must report and explain their absences via email and take responsibility for notifying teachers and arranging to catch up on what you have missed.
• If a student is running late they are expected to email their teacher to explain what has happened.
• Food and drink can be purchased outside of lunch and break as long as

• Students are not late back for lessons.
• Food/Drinks are only consumed in the refectory/street/outside
• Only water should be taken into/consumed within the classrooms

6.3 Attendance and Punctuality

Good attendance is essential to academic success. Attendance below 92% is a serious academic concern. For every 5% a student drops in attendance they typically lose one grade in academic performance at the end of year 13. This is the difference between getting and not getting your place at university or employment.

Good punctuality is a basic expectation of any employer - we are preparing students to succeed in their future jobs. Lateness disrupts learning. We expect lateness to be rare (less than 5%) and when it happens students must act professionally, email their teacher in advance, apologise and explain the reason. Students must take the same kind of responsibility that employees do when planning journeys to work - if a bus route is unreliable then students need to leave home earlier. We expect students to be in College 15 minutes before the start of their lessons.

Poor attendance and/or punctuality demonstrates a failure to abide by our expectations as set out in the student agreement. Students may be suspended or have their place withdrawn if they persistently fail to meet our expectations in this area.

In addition, students who fail to maintain 92% attendance may be withdrawn from one or more of their academic courses if their internal assessment data does not indicate they will pass a qualification.

6.4 Conduct within the cClassroom

Students who are persistently disrupting a lesson and who are not responding to teacher instructions should be asked to step outside the room to enable the teacher to have a conversation about their conduct and explain the consequences if it were to continue. This conversation gives students an opportunity to make a change to their behaviour and return to learning.

Students will never be asked to leave the lesson or work elsewhere as a punishment to poor conduct. However, a student who is repeatedly disrupting the learning of others by failing to treat their peers or teacher with professional respect may be asked to wait in an appropriate separate space for a member of senior staff to come and meet with them to respond to their conduct. This is to enable learning to continue for others.

Repeated poor conduct or serious misconduct will be sanctioned according to the guidelines in section 13.

7. Beyond the Classroom

Connell is a place of work. We are all responsible for the security of the building and for making it a safe, productive and inclusive place to work. This includes all corridors and outdoor spaces. Unlike a school there is no ‘playground’ and conduct anywhere on the College site should be professional. The social space within the college is on the ground floor of the main building only. Students who choose to remain onsite outside of their time tabled lessons are expected to be in the silent study area, the ground floor social spaces or outside - this is to ensure that learning is not disrupted for others. For example, students should not congregate (sitting or standing) in corridors or be walking around when lessons are taking place as this causes a distraction.

Students do not have permission to be in classrooms without a teacher

Toilets must be used professionally and with consideration for others. Students must not congregate or use this space to socialise - this can make other people feel uncomfortable.

Students must never enter a cubicle with another student - this behaviour creates a risk.

Repeated poor conduct or serious misconduct will be sanctioned according to the guidelines in section 13.

8. Beyond the College Premises

We remind students that all our expectations of them apply whether or not they are at College and also to the online world. For example, incidents of bullying, poor conduct or criminality which occur off site are taken just as seriously as those that happen within the College building. This mirrors what happens in employment. Serious incidents will be sanctioned according to the guidance outlined in section 13.

We remind students that their digital footprint lasts forever and they should be particularly mindful of anything they post online as this may be viewed by future employers and used to inform employment decisions.

9. Conduct in Assessments

Students must act with integrity in all assessments - this includes coursework, tests in class and assessments in formal exams. Students who cheat, plagiarise (including the use of AI) or take into assessments banned items (even if they are not using them) may face a suspension and/or disqualification (which may lead to the withdrawal of their place at the College)

See section 13 for more information about sanctions.

10. How We Support and Challenge Poor Conduct

When students are not meeting our expectations we ‘call it out’, put in place support and set them a time bound challenge to improve.

We involve parents and carers from the outset with any kind of concern because we believe that only by working together can we ensure that a young person achieves their potential. We make this approach clear from when students first apply to the College and talk about our ‘parent promise’ - we promise that we will let parents and carers know if something isn’t going right and we ask them to do the same. In every communication we send home we remind them of this two way commitment and how to get in touch.

When a student is failing to make the improvements we expect we revisit the levels of support and challenge that are being offered. We think ‘outside the box’ and make sure that external factors have not been missed and students are receiving the support they need. We give additional time bound opportunities to improve, often with increased or revised support. We want the student to succeed and turn things around. We often compare our actions to what would happen in the world of work and the reality of ‘losing your job’. If it isn’t acceptable in the workplace, it isn’t acceptable here.

When a student repeatedly fails to improve and we have exhausted our processes for support and challenge, we will not shy away from the hard conversations we may need to have. We ask about what the young person truly wants and is equipped to do at the current time. We focus on their long term vision and finding a way to help them get there. We never let a young person leave our roll, or go out of contact, without connecting them with other support services and most often securing them an alternative pathway to their future vision.

We cannot support a young person to remain on roll if in our professional judgement:

• They are having a negative impact on College culture or the safety and wellbeing of others.
• They are having a negative impact on the learning and progress of others.
• Their continuation will have a negative impact on their long term future or current wellbeing.

Wherever possible we work to come to the right decision collaboratively and by mutual agreement with the student and their family. Where we cannot reach agreement a decision to withdraw a place may be made by the Vice Principal. A student can appeal this decision as explained in section 14.

11. Abuse Between Students

Connell Co-op College is committed to ensuring a climate of safety for all students by challenging inappropriate behaviour between peers. We have a zero tolerance approach of all forms of child on child abuse including (but not limited to):

• bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying of any kind)
• abuse in intimate personal relationships between peers
• physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and / or encourages physical abuse)
• sexual violence, such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and / or encourages physical abuse)
• sexual harassment, such as sexual and misogynistic comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment, which may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse
• causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, such as forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a third party
• consensual and non-consensual sharing of nudes and semi nude images and / or videos (also known as sexting or youth produced sexual imagery)
• upskirting, which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm
• initiation / hazing type violence and rituals (this could include activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group and may also include an online element)

Where there are any reports of child on child abuse, including sexual violence and sexual harassment,  we will follow the guidance set out in Part 5 of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024. The College maintains a zero tolerance approach to all forms of child on child abuse and always maintain the attitude ‘it could happen here’. We will always take any reports or disclosures seriously. Any sanctions for child on child abuse will be proportionate, considered, supportive and will be decided on a case by case basis. Sanctions could include managing the incident internally, referring to early help, referring to children’s social care or reporting the incident to the police. Serious incidents could result in a student’s place being withdrawn. The College will not tolerate behaviour of this nature, whilst also not demonising anyone – we will support and listen to all of the students involved. The alleged perpetrator(s) will be offered support so that they can change their behaviour.

For more information on how we deal with child on child abuse please see:

• Connell Co-op College Anti Bullying Policy
• Connell Co-op College Child Protection Policy
• Keeping Children Safe in Education

12. Searching, Screening and Confiscating

12.1 Overview

The Principal has statutory power to search students and possessions if there are reasonable grounds to suspect students have prohibited items. Searches may also be carried out by members of staff and contractors authorised by the Principal. All authorised staff will be up to date with screening and searching procedures as laid out in government guidance.  When conducting searches, the Principal will consider the age and ability of students and make reasonable adjustments where necessary. Where possible searches will be conducted with the student present and away from other students  (unless there is reason to believe that significant harm could happen if we wait).

The College can search a student for any item with their consent and in their presence (e.g. turning out pockets / looking in bags). Staff have the power to search (without consent) if they have reason to believe a student possesses any of the following items:

• knives and weapons
• alcohol
• illegal drugs
• stolen items
• tobacco and cigarette papers
• cigarettes
• e-cigarettes
• lighters and matches
• fireworks
• pornographic images
• any article that has been or is likely to be used to commit an offence , cause personal injury or damage to property

Wherever possible, searches will be carried out by two authorised members of staff who are of the same gender as the student, and with the student present as a witness. Searches that require physical contact or use of force will always be a last resort. Where the risk is considered significant, they will be conducted by a trained member of staff of the same sex as the student, or, if possible, and preferably, by a family member. If this is not possible (due to urgency of the situation) searches will be conducted by a permanent member of staff, with the appropriate training, of the same sex and an appropriate adult (of the same sex). In all cases, only outer clothing will be searched (pockets, bags, shoes etc). No member of the College community will conduct a search that reveals a student’s underwear or skin (beyond shirt sleeves).

Staff will confiscate and retain a student’s property if it is a banned item or any item being used to cause harm to self or others, damage to property, or disruption to the maintaining of a purposeful learning environment. For any confiscated item that is not deemed to be dangerous or potentially / known to be illegal, the confiscating staff member is required to make a proportionate and fair decision about what happens next with the item, for example:

• returning the item to the student at the end of that lesson
• returning the item to the student at the end of that day
• escalating the issue to a member of the  safeguarding team / senior management team
• discussing with the student’s family about how best to return or dispose of the item

Retention of, damage to or disposal of a student’s personal property should not be used as a sanction and confiscation, including how the confiscation is followed up, should only be used to ensure the maintenance of a safe and purposeful learning environment.

12.2 Screening

If a student refuses to be screened, the school may refuse to have the student on the premises. Health and safety legislation requires a College to be managed in a way which does not expose students or staff to risks to their health and safety and this would include making reasonable rules as a condition of admittance.

If a student fails to comply, and the College does not let the student in, the student’s absence will be treated as unauthorised. The student should comply with the rules and attend.

12.3 Power to use reasonable force  

Members of staff have the power to use reasonable force to prevent students committing an offence, injuring themselves or others, or damaging property, and to maintain good order and discipline in the classroom. Principals and authorised College staff may also use such force as is reasonable given the circumstances when conducting a search without consent for knives or weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs, stolen items, tobacco and cigarette papers, fireworks, pornographic images or articles that have been or could be used to commit an offence or cause harm.

College follows all DfE guidance for searching, screening and confiscation which can be found here:

Searching, Screening and Confiscation - Advice for Schools 

Please also see the Co-op Academies Trust Positive Handling Policy for the process of searching and screening and use of reasonable force (available on the college website).

13. Consequences

13.1 Support and Challenge through a Support Contract

Our aim is always to support students to meet our expectations. We do this through a variety of approaches.

1. A thorough induction process at a college and subject level means students know what we expect of them. Disclosures at enrolment and transition contact with feeder schools mean students have the opportunity to declare any additional needs they may have. This means teachers have the knowledge they need to make equitable decisions by putting in the support a student might need to meet our expectations - be they academic or around conduct. Additional out of class support may also be given such as workshops on specific skills around self regulation.

2. Students with persistently poor attendance or punctuality will be closely monitored and supported by our Progression Tutors.

3. Students who miss deadlines, miss lessons through absence or who are failing to work effectively outside of lessons will be directed to work in College during their ‘catch up’ period - attendance is mandatory and monitored. Failure to attend is sanctioned through a Directors Warning in the first instance but is escalated if the issue repeats.

Wherever we put in support we clearly communicate why with both students and their families. We also communicate how we expect this to have an impact and the responsibility they need to take in order to ensure this happens. We provide feedback on how students are doing to support this.

Alongside support there is always an expectation of improvement and so wherever a student is failing to meet our expectations a support contract will be set outlining the support that is being provided but also setting out the targets a student is expected to meet and within what time frame. Parents and carers are involved in this process from the outset and invited to contribute.

If a student fails to improve the level and type of support will be revisited and new targets set. The contract will escalate as required through up to three stages. A student who is still failing to meet their targets, despite support, may be:

• advised to consider an alternative pathway to studying at Connell
• denied progression into the 2nd year of study
• removed from some or all of their academic courses
• be suspended for a fixed period of time
• have their place at the college withdrawn

13.2 Sanctions

Sometimes it is necessary to impose a sanction to help students recognise that their conduct is unacceptable. These are a last resort and only used in serious instances. We need students to recognise that actions and choices have consequences - and in the real world of work these can be very serious.

13.2a Directors Warning

Persistent poor conduct or one off instances of unprofessional conduct may be sanctioned with a ‘Directors Warning’ - this is similar to a verbal warning in a place of work. The student is spoken to by a senior member of staff as are their parents/carers. In some cases parents/carers may also be asked to attend college. Students who receive multiple Directors Warnings may receive a suspension as an additional sanction to recognise the repetition.

A Directors Warning will often lead to further support through our pastoral team

13.2b Suspension

Just like schools we use suspensions as a sanction for the most serious types of misconduct. It indicates to students and our wider community the kinds of serious misconduct we do not accept. Examples include

• damage to college property
• plagiarism/breach of assessment regulations
• actions that affect the health & safety, wellbeing or reputation of others (including the reputation of the college)
• breach of the student conduct commitment
• breach of college policies

Following any suspension the student and their parents/carers must attend a reintegration meeting to discuss the conduct and provide assurances that it won’t happen again alongside accepting support that is offered. The students cannot return to college until the reintegration meeting has been held.

13.2c Withdrawal of Place

The withdrawal of a student’s place at the college is a last resort. The Vice Principal may decide to withdraw a student’s place in response to

• persistent disruptive behaviour, where despite the College’s best effort, a student continues to breach the College’s policies
• persistently poor attendance and punctuality
• failure to meet targets set under the support & challenge procedure

Only the Principal is authorised to with a students place following a ‘one off’ incident  - see 13.2di

13.2d  Withdrawal of place - special cases

13.2di Failing or being disqualified

In the instance where a student has failed their qualification or has been disqualified from their qualification there can be no decision review or appeal.These outcomes are based on JCQ/exam board guidance and are not not subject to the control of the college.

Although there is no opportunity for appeal, a student who believes the JCQ/exam board guidelines have not been correctly applied can contact the relevant body if they wish to make a complaint or can refer to our own complaints policy in section 15.

In the situation when a student has been disqualified or failed one of their three A Level equivalents, it may be possible for their studies to continue on a modified programme. This will be at the college’s discretion based on the conduct of the student and the practical options available to the college at that point in time.  

Where the student has failed or been disqualified from a qualification(s) worth more than 1 A Level (or equivalent), they will not usually be able to continue at the college and their place, by definition, will be withdrawn.

13.2dii Singular act of serious misconduct

In the instance of a singular act of serious misconduct, only the Principal can make the decision to withdraw a student’s place. Examples may include (but are not limited to)

• serious actual or threatened violence against another student or member of staff (including online threats or abuse)
• assault on a student or member of staff
• sexual abuse, assault or harrassment
• supplying or using an illegal drug
• carrying an offensive weapon (including any article made or adapted for causing injury)
• serious one off incidents including ‘hate’ incidents, bullying, discriminatory behaviour of any kind (including online)
• arrest for a criminal offence
• bringing the college into disrepute (including online)

14 Withdrawal of place; reviews and appeals

14.1 Decision Review

Where the decision to withdraw a place has been made by the Vice Principal under section 13.2c, a student may request a review of the decision by the Principal. This must be done in writing and must based on the following grounds

• failure to consider mitigating circumstances
• factual inaccuracies
• failure to correct apply this policy

An application for a review must be made within 5 working days of them receiving  notification of the withdrawal of their place.

14.2 Making an appeal

A student can appeal the decision of the Principal to withdraw their place (made under section 13.2 or 13.2dii). Any appeal must be made in writing within 5 working days of the decision being made. The appeal must state the grounds for the appeal and must be based on one of the following reasons

1. failure to fairly consider mitigating factors
2. a decision based on incorrect facts
3. failure to follow policies

The appeal can be sent to gmgovernance@coopacademies.co.uk.

Appeals against the decision of the Principal will be reviewed by The Regional Director Co-op Academies Trust, Manchester.

No further appeals can be made

(note as stated in section 13.2di appeals against the withdrawal of a place following disqualification or failure cannot be made to the College)

15 Complaints

Our complaints procedure is available here.

Appendix - Student-Parent/Carer agreement

Student-Parent/Carer-College Agreement

THE STUDENT AGREEMENT

1.0 Student Enrolment Agreement

1.1 I certify that the information provided at enrolment is accurate and correct. I have checked my personal details, address and courses.

1.2 I confirm that the country I regard as home (my country of residence) is England.

1.3 I have received advice and guidance at my interview(s) which covered:

a)           The suitability of my learning programme

b)          The career implications

c)           The entry requirements

d)          Any additional support needs

2.0 Student Conduct Commitment:

2.1 I agree to attend on time and contribute professionally to all timetabled lessons. I will

• attend other sessions/meetings as requested by college staff
• meet deadlines for academic work
• give my full commitment to my studies.

2.2 I will communicate any absences or lateness promptly and professionally, taking responsibility to catch up with anything I have missed.

2.3 I understand that my place at college will be at risk if my attendance falls below 92%.

2.4 If I am struggling with my academic progress or health and well-being, I will inform the College and seek help. When I am offered support, I will accept it.

2.5 I agree to act according to the College’s expectations, the ‘ways of being’ and to conduct myself in a professional manner at all times including

• My conduct towards staff
• My conduct towards members of the college and members of the public
• My conduct on the college premises
• My adherence to the college dress code*
• My use of technology including AI, email, mobile phones and social media

*Dress Code: You should dress in a way that is appropriate for your study programme. Clothing that is see-through or does not cover your body appropriately is not permitted even during hot weather. No offensive slogans or wording are to be worn.  When in a classroom all hats and coats should be removed. Head coverings for religious or Cultural reasons are permitted. A durag or hat may be permitted for a one off day/short period of time at the discretion of College staff.

2.6 I will abide my the security arrangements at the College ensuring that

• I always wear my College ID Lanyard visibly whenever in the building
• I never allow a member of the public to enter the college premises - I understand that all visitors must have an appointment and signed in at reception

2.7 I understand that the College is a no vaping and no smoking site (inside and outside)

2.8 I will never bring into the college premises items which are illegal or that could harm or cause distress to others. I understand that doing so will put my place at the college at risk.

2.9 I understand that if I plagiarise through the use of content or AI, or break the rules for an assessment, I may be disqualified from my course and loose my place at the college

2.10 I will never enter the ‘blue pitch’ area or Football Academy buildings (adjacent to the college) unless accompanied by a member of staff. I recognise that doing so is trespassing.

3.0 Student Responsibility

3.1 I confirm that I will read all the information contained within the Student Handbook and I agree to fully abide by the policies and procedures contained within. I understand the Student Handbook will be subject to regular updates and it is my responsibility to ensure that I have read and understood any changes as directed by the College.

3.2 I understand that failure to adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the Student Handbook will put my place at Connell Co-op College at risk.

3.3 I understand that I am responsible for abiding by the college’s classroom expectations without being reminded by staff.

3.4 I understand the expectations of the college with regards to independent study. I will commit to completing 15 hours of independent study each week in accordance with the 50:50 rule. I will plan and record how I use this time in my college planner.

4.0 Use of Technology and Social Media  - The Acceptable Use of IT Agreement

4.1 I will not take any videos or still images of members of the college or assist others to do so without consent.

4.2 I will not record any videos or still images on the college premises unless instructed to do so as part of my learning.

4.3 I understand that I must use College IT systems in a responsible way, to ensure that there is no risk to my safety or to the safety and security of the IT systems and other users.

For my own personal safety and that of others:

• I understand that the College will monitor my use of the IT systems, email and other digital communications.
• I will treat my username and password with care and never share my password with anyone
• I will be aware of “stranger danger”, when I am communicating on-line.
• I will not disclose or share personal information about myself or others when on-line.
• I will immediately report any unpleasant or inappropriate material or messages or anything that makes me feel uncomfortable when I see it on-line.  
• I will not open emails from suspicious addresses or download attachments for unknown sources

4.4 I understand that everyone has equal rights to use technology as a resource and:

• I understand that the College IT systems are primarily intended for educational use
• I will not make large downloads or uploads that might take up internet capacity and prevent other users from being able to carry out their work.
• I will not use the College IT systems for on-line gaming, and or on-line gambling, internet shopping, Proxy Avoidance, file sharing, or video broadcasting (e.g. YouTube)

4.5 I will act with respect and trust.

• I will respect others’ work and property and will not access, copy, remove or otherwise alter any other user’s files, without the owner’s knowledge and permission.
• I will be polite and responsible when I communicate with others, I will not use strong, aggressive or inappropriate language and I appreciate that others may have different opinions.

4.6 I recognise that the College has a responsibility to maintain the security and integrity of the technology it offers me and to ensure the smooth running of the College:

• I will only use my personal hand held / external devices (mobile phones / USB devices etc) in College if I have permission. I understand that, if I do use my own devices in College, I will follow the rules set out in this agreement, in the same way as if I was using College equipment.
• I understand the risks and will not try to upload, download or access any materials which are illegal or inappropriate or may cause harm or distress to others, nor will I try to use any programmes or software that might allow me to bypass the filtering / security systems in place to prevent access to such materials.
• I will immediately report any damage or faults involving equipment or software, however this may have happened.
• I will not open any attachments to emails, unless I know and trust the person / organisation who sent the email, due to the risk of the attachment containing viruses or other harmful programmes.
• I will not install or attempt to install programmes of any type on a machine, or store programmes on a computer, nor will I try to alter computer settings.
• I will only use chat and social networking sites outside lesson and study periods.

4.7 When using the internet for research or recreation, I recognise that:

• I should ensure that I have permission to use the original work of others in my own work.
• Where work is protected by copyright, I will not try to download copies (including music and videos).
• When I am using the internet to find information, I should take care to check that the information that I access is accurate, as I understand that the work of others may not be truthful and may be a deliberate attempt to mislead me.
• I will follow the guidelines set out in my course handbook about the use of AI as part of my studies and within any pieces of work that I produce. I understand that failure to do so may lead to disqualification from my course and the loss of my place at the college.

4.8 I understand that I am responsible for my actions, both in and out of College:

• I understand that the College also has the right to take action against me if I am involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour, that are covered in this agreement, when I am out of College and where they involve my membership of the College community (examples would be cyber-bullying, use of images or personal information).
• I understand that if I fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy Agreement, I will be subject to disciplinary action.  This may include contact with parents/carers, loss of access to the College network / internet, suspension or in extreme cases the withdrawal of your place at college and, in the event of illegal activities, involvement of the police.

4.9 At Connell Co-op College, we respect people's identity and do not tolerate discriminatory behaviour and derogatory language whether in public spheres or seemingly private spheres including the following types of discriminatory behaviour:  sexual orientation, religious discrimination, national origin, gender, gender identity or disability.  Students who engage in such behaviour risk suspension or in serious or repeated cases, the withdrawal of their place in the College.

Expectations of student are as follows:

• Social media video posts - students are not permitted to record staff / students / college life on their phones within the College site and post this on any form of social media whether public or private. Students will risk their place in the College should they do so.
  
• Abusive social media texts and images - any abusive or discriminatory content in any form of social media risks students losing their place in the sixth form. This includes private social media posts which then become public.
  
• Bringing the College into disrepute - behaviour outside College that potentially damages the reputation of the College (or its members) may result in a student losing their place in the College. This includes private social media posts which subsequently become public.
  
• Reporting and supporting investigations - students are expected to report inappropriate conduct by others that presents a risk of harm to the reputation or wellbeing of themselves or another and to support the College with any investigations by showing an investigating member of staff social media posts as requested.

5.0 Declaration for consent to contact Parents/Carer

I understand that the College will continue to share data information with my Parents/Carers whilst I am enrolled at the College unless I inform them otherwise

I understand it is my responsibility to email studentsupport@connell.ac.uk and inform them that I do not wish any data to be shared with my Parents/Carer.

Only in very rare circumstances will a student be able to continue at the college without consent to the data sharing agreement such as when there is a risk of harm, confirmed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

[To be signed by the STUDENT electronically by Google Form as part of the enrolment process.]

THE PARENT/CARER AGREEMENT

6.0 I understand that I will be able to monitor my child’s academic progress, attendance and conduct on a daily basis through Arbor. I understand that although I will be notified at regular intervals about my child’s attendance, punctuality, progress and conduct, it is my responsibility to regularly check this in Arbor and to read emails that are sent to me by the College.  

6.2 I will inform the College if any of my personal contact information changes.

6.3 I give my consent for my child to access youtube while on the College site or when using a college device offsite.

6.4 I understand my child needs to attend and contribute to all timetabled lessons, attend other sessions requested by staff including during ‘free periods’ if necessary, meet work deadlines and give full commitment to their studies. I will work with the College when this is not the case.

6.5 Unlike a school, I understand that my child is able to notify the college of an absence themselves and that this is encouraged as part of readiness for professional life.

6.6 My child will abide by the standards set out in this agreement and college policies, in particular the Professional Conduct Policy.

6.7 I understand if I have any concerns about my child’s progress or wellbeing , I should contact studentsupport@connell.ac.uk.

6.8 I give my consent that my child may attend any non residential organised day-time trip unless I inform the college otherwise.These typically include visits to local universities, museums or other public spaces. The College will always notify parents of visits in advance so that you can withdraw consent if required.

If you wish your child to opt out of an organised college trip, you must inform studentsupport@connell.ac.uk at least 48 hours before the trip commences.

[To be signed electronically by a PARENT/CARER using a Google Form sent via email following enrolment/start of the academic year.]

THE COLLEGE AGREEMENT

6.0 College Commitment to Students: 

6.1 Connell Co-op College will support the achievement of your learning goals with high quality tuition and guidance to ensure you leave the College ready for your Next Steps as a ‘work ready co-operator’.

6.2 Connell Co-op College will provide a safe working and learning environment where all members of the College community can thrive and feel valued and respected.

6.3 The College will notify the designated parent/carer of any concerns we have about your progress or wellbeing through the contact details you have provided and by regular updates to the Arbor system.

6.4 The college will ensure that when a student needs additional support through external services, families are given the necessary contact details and advice to help them access the help they need.

6.5 The college is committed to responding swiftly to any concerns or complaints. You can do this in person to any member of staff you feel able to approach or via email to studentsupport@connell.ac.uk 

For further information on our policies, including our complaints procedure, please visit our website.