Expectations and Standards Power point
St Monica's is proud to house its own chapel. Jesus Christ is central to our school. His revelation, communicated through the Church, provides purpose and direction. As a Roman Catholic school, St Monica's is conducted in accordance with the rites, practices and observations of the Roman Catholic faith. Religious Education is given according to the doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.
CHILD PROTECTION
St Monica's has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils. This responsibility necessitates as child protection policy and procedures. Where there are concerns about a child's welfare the school will contact appropriate agencies, share information with them and work in partnership with them.
Concerns will be discussed with the family if it will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm. The child's view will also be considered in deciding whether to inform the family in some circumstances, particularly where the child is sufficiently mature to make informed judgements. The interest of the child is paramount
SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION
St Monica's is conducted in accordance with the rites, practices and observances of the Roman Catholic faith. SRE is delivered within the moral framework of Christian teaching. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the programme.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
St Monica's is a Roman Catholic school conducted in accordance with the rites, practices and observerances of the Roman Catholic faith.
Parents have the legal right to withdraw their children from both RE and collective worship but it is anticipated that those specifically choosing catholic education will fully support the spiritual and religious life of the school.
PASTORAL CARE AND DISCIPLINE
Aims - Our principal aim is to
create a well-ordered school community in which all members function
happily, safely and co-operatively, engendering respect not only for
oneself, but for one another.
The school has a home-school
agreement. This is a statement explaining the school's aims and
values, the school's responsibilities towards its pupils who are of
compulsory school age, the responsibilities of the pupil's parents and
what the school expects of its pupils.
The school's procedures for
discipline, its code of conduct and its rewards and sanctions encourage
good behaviour and promote self-discipline which in turn will provide a
secure, positive, safe and effective learning environment allowing each
individual the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.
All
members of staff are involved in the pastoral care of pupils under the
overall direction of the Headteacher. A high value is placed on contact
between home and school, and parents are very welcome in school. The
school liaises with Bury Education Welfare Service which can be
contacted on 0161-253-5000.
The pastoral system is founded on the
form structure with each Form Teacher taking responsibility for a class
of approximately thirty pupils. The Year Tutors each have oversight of a
particular year group, comprising seven or eight classes and are
available to discuss matters of pupils' education/behaviour if
necessary.
Pupils may be charged an appropriate sum for repair or
replacement of materials, equipment and school fabric damaged as a
result of their behaviour.
A copy of the school code of conduct is published in the pupil journal.
DISCIPLINE
Sanctions are imposed according to individual situations. School discipline is re-inforced by:
1. Reprimand
2. Detentions
3. Letters home
4. Form Teacher pastoral support plans.
5. Daily pastoral support plans.
6. Post exclusion pastoral support plans.
7. Contracts of good behaviour
8. Short periods working away from class
9. Parent accompanying pupils to class
10. Exclusion from school trips
11. Fixed term exclusion from school.
12. Permanent exclusion
School works closely with the Educational
Welfare Service, the school Psychological Service, the Pupil Learning
Centre and Connexions in an endeavour to bring about change in pupils'
behaviour which is giving cause for concern and which puts them at risk
of exclusion.
Teaching staff should inform parents of initial concerns by writing comments in the journal.
School
employs Relateen to offer a confidential counselling service to
pupils. The school Health Advisor is available to pupils and parents
each Monday lunchtime and at other times by appointment. We also have a
full time Learning Mentor who assists pupils with further education,
work experience, social skills and behaviour issues.
DETENTIONS
From 1st September, 1998 schools have
clear legal authority to detain pupils on disciplinary grounds after
the end of a school session without the consent of the parent. (Section
5, Education Act 1997). 24 hours notice will be given in writing using
a school detention slip which the pupil takes home.
Pupils will be properly supervised and will be given suitable work to do in detention.
Pupils will be dismissed at the time previously notified to the parents.
Isolation from Peers
The
Headteacher and the Deputy Headteachers, in consultation with the Year
Tutors, can remove pupils from normal lessons for serious persistent
misbehaviour.
Accompanied Pupils
In extreme cases where other
sanctions have failed to resolve the difficulties, the Headteacher or
Deputy Headteachers may invite parents to accompany their child to
lessons.
Exclusion
Exclusions will be used for serious breaches of
the behaviour policy, including assaults on staff or fellow pupils,
intimidation, persistent disruption, fighting, drug offences, bullying,
theft and vandalism.
Exclusion will be used when other sanctions
have failed to result in positive improvement. There will, however, be
occasions when it is necessary to impose an exclusion without having
used any other form of punishment or intervention due to the very
serious nature of the incident.
Fixed term exclusions will not exceed
45 days in any one school year. The majority of fixed term exclusions
should not normally exceed 15 school days in a single period.
Exclusions send a clear message to pupils that particular behaviour is
not acceptable in a school environment. It also informs the parents of
the seriousness of the situation and should indicate the need to assist
in changing behaviour through exercising their parental responsibility.
After Health & Safety issues have been satisfied fixed term exclusions will be applied for :
(i) persistently smoking on the premises
(ii) being found drunk on the premises or when alcohol is found on a pupil
(iii) being on the premises under the influence of solvents
(iv) being on the premises under the influence of controlled drugs.
• It would not be unreasonable to permanently exclude if there have been earlier concerns of a similar nature.
• The
Governors reserve the right to permanently exclude any pupil found in
possession of class A, B or C drugs or illicit substances.
• Any pupil found dealing in drugs, supplying, selling or sharing drugs will be permanently excluded even for a first offence.
• Any pupil carrying a knife or any other offensive weapon, will be permanently excluded, even for a first offence.
