Behaviour Sanctions and Reward Policy

THE ENGLISH SCHOOL FAHAHEEL SCHOOL BEHAVIOUR, SANCTIONS AND REWARDS POLICY

COMMITTEE	Wellbeing Committee
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL	Mr Oscar De Kok
PASTORAL LEAD	Mr Ben Riley
HEADTEACHER	Mr David Warner
REVIEW	Every 5 years or following changes in guidance from the Ministry of Education
POLICY REVIEWED	May 2023
REVIEW DUE	May 2028
APPROVED BY THE CEO AND HEADTEACHER BOARD

 

1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all staff share clear expectations and communicate them to students so that good behaviour enables all students to learn in the most effective manner, through the consistent delivery of this policy.

STATUTORY FRAMEWORK

 As a Kuwaiti school providing an English curriculum and pastoral structure; we are bound by legislation from: Kuwait Child Rights Law (2015), Kuwait Child Neglect and Suspected Abuse Policy (2014) and guided by standards from Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, 2022). We will always work closely with Parents, and the Ministry of Education to ensure children feel safe, secure within school. As well as valued, respected and rewarded for excellent conduct, effort and progress.

2. CODE OF CONDUCT

2.1       The School expects that students are courteous to and considerate of all other members of the school community at all times. Students should behave in a positive and supportive manner both in school and off the school site including behaviour on activities arranged by the School, on the way to and from School, when wearing school uniform in a public place or in some other way identifiable as a student at the school.  Students are expected to follow the Code of Conduct agreement circulated to parents and students each year. (See Appendix I).

• The School Board intend that the School rules and the sanctions provided in this policy shall also, in appropriate circumstances, be capable of regulating the conduct of students when they are away from School premises and outside of the jurisdiction of the School, for example during half term and the holidays. This will normally be where the conduct in question could have repercussions for the orderly running of the School, affects the welfare of a member or members of the School community or a member of the public, or brings the School into disrepute.

3. REWARDS

As a school we recognise that a key part of developing the potential of our young people is giving encouragement and praise.  Praise is a key component of good teaching and good staff/student relationships.  Staff at The English School Fahaheel (ESF) are encouraged to actively look for opportunities to praise students both within and beyond lessons.  Our system of rewards allows us to celebrate achievement, excellence and student contribution in all aspects of school life.

3.1       The School is committed to promoting and rewarding good behaviour and may do so in some of the following ways, although this list is not exclusive:

          Upper School Rewards

Star of the Month: Every month each year group celebrates success in the monthly assembly. There are three categories of winner for each star of the month: Academic; Merits; Extracurricular. Nominations are made by students and teachers. A certificate and prize are awarded to each winner for each category.

Students in Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10 and Y11 earn merits for effort or achievement in subject lessons.  Students who have been particularly helpful in lessons may also earn merits.

Merits are signed by staff members on the ‘merit page’ of student planners.

At the end of the Summer term ‘Overall merit’ numbers are calculated by form teachers and submitted to the school Pastoral Leads. ‘Overall Merits’ for students are calculated by deducting the number of Demerits (see 4.1) gained for the year from the number of Merits gained. Merits are worth +1 and Demerits are worth -1.

In the Summer term there is an awards afternoon to celebrate the success of the students. All students who achieve over 200 overall merits receive recognition of a certificate and a Merit badge.

Number of overall Merits	Level of award
200-299	Bronze
300-374	Silver
375+	Gold

There is a rewards trip at the end of the Summer term for all students in years 7-11 who have achieved a Bronze level achievement award or higher.                            

          6th form School Rewards

Students in Y12 and Y13 are expected to set an example to the rest of the school. 6th formers should demonstrate exemplary behaviour and act with distinction at all times.

6th form students throughout the year will earn graduation points for academic and non-academic performance. These are assigned by all staff members at the end of the year and support the level at which a student graduates from the school.

Graduation certificates are awarded at the yearly graduation ceremony. Graduation levels depend upon the number of graduation points earned and consist of:

Pass

Merit

Distinction

Honours

In addition to a certificate of graduation there are a number of additional awards and commendations available for outstanding achievement for 6th formers.

           Such as:

• The Shuhaiber Award for Excellence
• International Student of the year
• Individual subject awards and commendations.

The graduation ceremony for 6th form students is held before the start of exams in May each year. Teaching Support Staff and of course Parents and Carers are invited to celebrate the student’s successes and achievements for the year.

4. SANCTIONS

4.1       The School understands that the use of sanctions must be reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances of the case and that account must be taken of a range of individual student needs in determining the appropriate use of such sanctions, including the student’s age, any additional learning needs or disability and any religious requirements affecting the student. The School has the following range of disciplinary sanctions that may be implemented as appropriate

• Reinstatement of the rule
• A verbal warning
• Extra work or repeating unsatisfactory work until it meets the required standard
• Loss of privileges
• School based community service e.g., litter picking or removal of graffiti
• Being placed on report
• Phone call/letter home to parent/carer
• Detention (during a breaktime)
• Internal exclusion; This may be from specific lessons, for a whole day, and/or at break times.
• External Exclusion; for a set amount of days
• Parents will be given at least 24 hours’ notice in writing of detentions outside of school hours. Parental consent is not required for detentions.
• In all cases of misconduct, including those outside of the School, the School Board will consider whether the police or the local authority should be notified of the disciplinary action taken.
• Where behavioural issues give cause to suggest that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures will be followed.

5 EXCLUSIONS

5.1       The School aims to keep students in school and lessons wherever possible. In exceptional circumstances students may be required to be removed from lessons of break times for a fixed term or permanently. Parents will be asked to keep the student at home during a fixed term external exclusion. The School aims to operate within the principles of fairness and natural justice and treat each circumstance on its own merits.

Serious breaches of school discipline occurring outside of the School are subject to disciplinary procedures within school where a student may bring the school’s reputation into disrepute. 

• Exclusions can take the form of:
  • Fixed term exclusions;
  • Permanent exclusions;
  • Internal fixed time exclusions.
• The following exclusions will be reviewed by the School Board:
  • All permanent exclusions;
  • Fixed term exclusions that would result in a student being excluded for more than 3 school days in any one term;
  • Fixed term exclusions that would result in a student missing a public examination.

6 MALICIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF

Where a student makes an accusation against a member of staff and the accusation is shown to have been deliberately invented or malicious, the School Board will consider whether to take disciplinary action in accordance with this policy. 

Where such an allegation is made, appropriate support will be provided to the member(s) of staff affected.

7 USE OF REASONABLE FORCE TO PREVENT INJURY

ESF has a non-contact policy with regards to interactions between staff and students. Any use of force by staff should only occur when immediately necessary and for the minimum time necessary to prevent a student from doing or continuing to do any of the following:

• committing a criminal offence
• injuring themselves or others

Where reasonable force has been used by staff, details of the incident will be recorded by staff in writing and the Pastoral lead will be informed. The Student’s parents will be informed about serious incidents involving the use of force.  Force is never used as a form of punishment. 

8 SEARCHING STUDENTS & CONFISCATION OF INAPPROPRIATE ITEMS

8.1  Informed consent 

 The School staff may search a student with their consent for any item which is banned by the School rules.  If a member of staff suspects that a student has a banned item in their possession, they can instruct the student to turn out their pockets or bag.  If the student refuses, an appropriate sanction will be applied in accordance with this policy.

8.2 Searches without consent

 In relation to prohibited items, as defined below, the School Principal, and staff authorised by the Headteacher, may search a student or a student’s possessions without their consent where they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that a student has a prohibited item in their possession.

Prohibited items:  Means knives or other weapons, illegal drugs, tobacco, cigarettes, ecigarettes/vapes lighters, fireworks, inappropriate images and stolen items and any other items as defined as such from time to time. This includes any article that has been or is likely to be used to commit an offence, cause personal injury or damage to a property.

If staff believe a student is in possession of a prohibited item above, they may search:

• Outer clothing including hats, scarves, gloves, boots, blazer pockets
• School property, e.g., lockers or desks
• Personal property e.g., bag or pencil case

8.3      Searches will be conducted in such a manner as to minimise embarrassment or distress.  Any search of a student or their possessions should be carried out in the presence of the student and another member of staff. All searches of a female student will be conducted only by female members of staff.

8.4      Where the Principal, or staff authorised by the School Board, find anything which they have reasonable grounds for suspecting is a prohibited item, they may seize, retain and dispose of that item as appropriate. School staff may also seize any item, however found, which they believe or consider harmful or detrimental to school discipline.

8.5  Confiscated items

It is for the School to decide if and when to return a prohibited confiscated item. In some cases, the item may be handed over directly to parents.

8.6 Banned items

Where a banned item under the school rules has been found, staff should take into account all relevant circumstances and use their professional judgement when deciding whether to return, retain or dispose of the item.

8.7      Electronic Devices

Where staff conducting a search find an electronic device, they may examine any data or files on the device if they think there is reason to do so. If inappropriate material is found on the device this may be deleted, or retained for disciplinary procedures/sanctions.

9 PARENTS & CARERS

9.1       Parents and carers must insist that their son/daughter contributes positively towards the learning environment by:

• supporting the School Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures.
• encouraging their son/daughter to be kind to other people, treating others with respect, taking responsibility for her own behaviour and being aware of the effect her behaviour can have on others.
• ensuring their son/daughter attends school regularly, arriving on time, in correct uniform and equipped for the school day.
• making time to listen to their son/daughter and be positive about her achievements, however small, and providing a quiet area for doing homework and encouraging effective use of leisure time.
• informing the school of any changes in home circumstances that could affect their son/daughter’s welfare and ability to work

Experience shows that parents/carers are generally our best supporters in all matters.   Regular and effective communication with home is the very best way of ensuring high standards, good behaviour and continued progress. Communication to school can be to the pastoral lead (by phone or email) but also form tutors and subject tutors by email.

10 EVALUATION & MONITORING BEHAVIOUR

10.1    The School will evaluate and monitor performance by examining school information on behaviour, including records of detentions and exclusions.

 11 POLICY LINKS

This Policy also links to:

• ESF Peer-on-Peer abuse Policy
• ESF Mobile Phone Policy
• ESF Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
• ESF Anti-bullying Policy
• ESF E-Safety Policy
• ESF Code of Conduct Policy

12 POLICY REVIEW

The School Board is responsible for ensuring the review of this policy every 5 years and ensuring that the list of key contacts on the cover sheet is kept up to date. The policy will be updated throughout the year to reflect changes recommended by the School’s Wellbeing Committee and/or changes to statutory guidance, and communicated to the School Board.