PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT POLICY

(Positive Behaviour Policy)

For the academic year 2023/24

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’

1. POLICY STATEMENT AND PURPOSE        2

1.1 COLLEGE CURRICULUM INTENT        2

1.2. PURPOSE OF THE POLICY        2

1.3 RELATED POLICIES        3

2. EXPECTATIONS AND WAYS OF BEING        3

3. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES        5

4. DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING OUR WAYS OF BEING AND CO-OPERATIVE VALUES        7

5. RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS        8

6. CLASSROOM/LEARNING EXPECTATIONS (INCLUDING ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY)        9

6.1 The student agreement        9

6.2 How we’re different to school        10

6.3 Attendance and Punctuality        10

7. BEYOND THE CLASSROOM        11

8. BEYOND THE COLLEGE PREMISES        11

9. CONSEQUENCES        11

9.1 Support & Challenge through a support Contract        11

10. HOW WE SUPPORT AND CHALLENGE POOR CONDUCT        13

11. ABUSE BETWEEN STUDENTS        14

12. SUSPENSIONS        15

13. PERMANENT EXCLUSIONS        15

14. SEARCHING, SCREENING AND CONFISCATING        15

Appendix  - Student-Parent/Carer agreement        18

RESPONSIBILITY

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.

More details on what we expect of students can be found in:

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

More information about how we respond to poor conduct can be found in:

• The Suspensions and Exclusions Policy
• The Positive Handling 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 at some times they will fail. We expect them to be able to behave as professionals in the workplace from the first day they arrive at College and we support them to achieve this by reminding them of our expectations and modelling it to them.

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.

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 & 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 which are visible to students and their parents and carers. 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 Assistant Principal - Culture & Personal Development.

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. 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 CEDAR 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 SG training and have additional training on the SG 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 3 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.

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

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

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.

• My use of technology including email, mobile phones and social media

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 distress to others. I understand that doing so will put my place at the college at risk

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 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

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 permanently excluded if they persistently fail to meet our expectations in this area. Students who fail to maintain 92% attendance may be asked to pay the costs of their own examinations or else be withdrawn.

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.

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 or poor conduct that bring the College into disrepute which occur off site are taken just as seriously as those that happen within the College building. This mirrors what happens in employment.

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. CONSEQUENCES

9.1 Support & 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 through a report system.

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
• considered for suspension or permanent exclusion

9.2 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.

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. Teachers will thus provide students with an opportunity to make a change to their behaviour and return to learning

Students should never be asked to leave the lesson or work elsewhere as a response to poor behaviour.

A student 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.

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 also lead to support being put in place through a support contract under the Mindset for Learning procedure.

Just like schools we use suspensions as a sanction for the most serious types of misconduct. Students 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.

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.

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)
• 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 2023. 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 permanent exclusion. 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 2023

12. SUSPENSIONS

Please refer to the suspension and exclusions policy

13. PERMANENT EXCLUSIONS

Permanent exclusion is a last resort. The Principal may decide to permanently exclude a student for persistent disruptive behaviour, where despite the College’s best effort, a student insists on breaching the College’s policies. A permanent exclusion could also be the consequence for a first 'one off' offence, based on the severity of the behaviour. One off offences may include:

• 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 or assault
• 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 / crime or bullying

14. SEARCHING, SCREENING AND CONFISCATING

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, or conducted by staff members 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.

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.

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.

The 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 school website).

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 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

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.

• My use of technology including email, mobile phones and social media

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 distress to others. I understand that doing so will put my place at the college at risk

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.

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

• Images

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 any activities of this nature will lead to disciplinary procedures and may lead to exclusion from the college.

• Acceptable Use of IT Policy Agreement

4.2 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:

• 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 like my toothbrush – I will not share it, nor will I try to use any other person’s username and password.
• 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.
• If I arrange to meet people off-line that I have communicated with on-line, I will do so in a public place and take an adult with me.
• I will immediately report any unpleasant or inappropriate material or messages or anything that makes me feel uncomfortable when I see it on-line.  

4.3 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 and that I will not use the systems for personal or recreational use unless I have permission to do so.
• I will not try (unless I have permission from the IT Network Manager) to 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), unless I have permission of a member of staff to do so.
• I will not use the college IT systems for internet shopping, Proxy Avoidance, file sharing, or video broadcasting (eg YouTube), unless I have permission of a member of the College staff to do so.

4.4 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.

4.5 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.

4.6 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 in any pieces of work that I produce

4.7 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 loss of access to the College network / internet or exclusion from the college, suspension, contact with parents/carers and, in the event of illegal activities, involvement of the police.
  

• Social Media Expectations

4.8 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, Sexual Harassment.  Students who engage in such behaviour risk their place in the College.

Expectations of student are as follows:

• Social media video posts - students are not permitted to record staff / students / school 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 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.

Student Social Media Declaration I have read and understand social media expectations above. I agree to abide by them. I understand that failure to do so will put my place at Connell Co-op College at risk.

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.

[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 CEDAR. 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 CEDAR.  

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 being a professional

6.6 My child will abide by the standards set out in college policies including the  Professional Conduct Policy and the Support & Challenge 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 CEDAR 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 stduentsupport@connell.ac.uk 

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

Emma Soper
Principal