Behaviour Management Policy

 

Introduction

 

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety of learners and staff, and to provide guidance on the immediate actions to take when learners have failed to display appropriate attitudes and behaviours which undermine our culture of a safe and conducive learning environment, and to appropriately acknowledge and reward good behaviour. Interventions will be made when individual learner actions/incidents affect the learning of others or can be judged to be unsafe.

 

The policy is based on the principle of ‘acceptable behaviour’, with rules to ensure safety and a spirit of co-operation within a large community. Learners should show respect for other learners, staff and visitors and act in a polite and mature way. It is important for individuals to be able to learn, to be able to teach and to be part of the NCL community without fear of:

 

• Disruption of, and interference with, learning
• Actual or threatened violence from others
• Bullying
• Harassment, including sexual or racial harassment, or harassment on the grounds of pregnancy, gender reassignment, sex and sexual orientation, religion, belief or disability
• Illegal substances or alcohol being made available
• Criminal behaviour (e.g. theft and the carrying of offensive weapons)
• Deliberate damage to property             

 

Learners will be made aware of and given a copy of this policy and the Newcastle City Learning Code of conduct at induction. All young learners will be asked to sign and agree to the conditions of the ‘Learner Attitude & Behaviour Contract’ which will commit them to abide by these policies throughout their time at Newcastle City Learning.

Each tutor will agree classroom rules with their learners, and these will be displayed in teaching spaces. Newcastle City Council’s values are detailed in the learner handbook and discussed with all staff and learners.

 

Newcastle City Learning Priorities

 

Intent impacts on each individual throughout learning

 

• Delivering a high and consistent standard of teaching, learning and assessment
• Deepening learning and widening the application of skills
• Increasing learner independence

 

Curriculum for all

 

• Providing learning opportunities to improve knowledge, skills. and confidence to realise better life chances moving forward.
• Focussing on learners’ wellbeing so they can fulfil their potential and access the city and the opportunities it provides
• Meeting individual learner needs to enable them to fulfil their learning journey

 

Actively working with partners and stakeholders

 

• Meeting the needs of diverse communities
• Investing in continuing professional development and well-being of staff
• Responding to partners’ needs

 

Needing to be financially stable in a changing environment

 

• Responding to financial challenges in the light of devolution and government priorities
• Being fully compliant and accountable
• Effectively implementing finances and funding

 

Newcastle City Councils - values and behaviours

 

Proud

• We take pride in and celebrate each other’s achievements
• We have a positive, optimistic, can-do attitude
• We do our very best to meet and exceed the expectations of our colleagues, customers, partners and residents
• We help and support others to make a positive difference
• We make sure that we celebrate and praise each other’s good work

 

Fair

• We are honest and treat people equal to their needs
• We respect and value every person as an individual
• We listen to other opinions and points of view and embrace difference
• We are decent, fair and compassionate
• We act with integrity in everything we do
• We are accountable for our actions and our performance

 

Ambitious

• We are passionate, determined, enthusiastic and want to succeed
• We believe in making the most of opportunities to help us succeed
• We achieve more when we work together
• We are enthusiastic about change
• We encourage others to be their best
• We have the courage to change things for the better and make a difference
• We are passionate about making Newcastle a great city

 

6 Week Trial Period - PYP

 

The first 6 weeks at Newcastle City Learning is a trial period.  We look at all aspects of behaviour within college and make an informed decision on whether our college is the right educational environment for the learner.  To enable us to reach this decision we look at attendance, behaviour and attitude in class, being able to follow guidance from tutors and interact in a positive manner, being able to follow instruction and accept feedback.  Learners will be monitored weekly and after 5 weeks all staff will feedback to senior leads regarding learners at risk. An informed decision will then be made as to whether the learner will be retained or withdrawn from programme. If there are issues but a decision is made that a learner will remain on programme, an action plan will be implemented to monitor the areas of concern.

 

Unacceptable Behaviour

 

Newcastle City Learning’s mission is to create a learning environment where every learner can reach their full potential. This is not a full list but below are examples of what this means in practice -

 

Values	Expected Standards of Behaviour	Behaviour not meeting expected standards
Welcoming	Wearing your ID badge with lanyard. Following instructions to ensure a safe environment. Dressing appropriately for a college environment and so as not to cause offence.	Lending or borrowing badges. Carrying any weapon, e.g. knives, laser pens etc. Not wearing protective clothing and/or uniform specified by curriculum. Not following safety instructions. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Being in possession of drugs or alcohol. Eating or drinking in classrooms, with the exception of water.
Passionate	Being prepared to learn. Doing your best to achieve your targets and goals.	Not attending lessons. Being late to lessons. Not taking part in learning activities Not submitting work on time.
Respectful	Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs Valuing and respecting the College environment and resources. Being honest. Positively contributing to an environment free from bullying and harassment.		Physical or verbal abuse or intimidation of staff, learners or visitors to the College. Harassment, bullying or discriminatory behaviour.  Verbal abuse and gestures Racist or intolerant and abusive language, taunts, literature, graffiti Invasion of personal space either by unwelcomed or inappropriate touching, including peer-on-peer abuse or making unwelcomed. comments.  Online bullying – including outside of College All areas of the internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse Mobile threats by text messaging and calls. Misuse of  associated technology, i.e., camera and video facilities. Wearing clothing which could offend others. Telling lies and dishonesty. Using mobiles when requested not to in class. Mistreating college property, furniture or fittings Repeated Mobile phone use in class, including media checking, messaging etc.
Aspirational	Trying new ideas, events and activities. Being creative. Enjoying and achieving new learning challenges. Being flexible and working with others collaboratively.		Not engaging with learning opportunities Poor attendance or punctuality that would not be acceptable in a workplace Behaving inappropriately when involved in a college event or activity organised internally or externally
Collaborative	Sharing ideas and providing support to others. Looking for opportunities to help others. Demonstrating fairness. Being punctual for team activities and participating positively.	Persistently disrupting lessons. Fighting, or threatening behaviour. Not attending arranged meetings or support sessions.
Accountability	Setting and achieving appropriate targets. Being responsible for our own learning and development, particularly outside class time Completing course work in class and homework Meeting deadlines. Providing and responding to constructive feedback.	Persistently not completing homework Theft from the college or a member of the college community. Plagiarism or cheating. Fraudulent behaviour. Abusing college computers or internet facilitates.
Celebrate  Individuality	Valuing ourselves and others. Full commitment to equality and diversity. Celebrating and supporting the achievement of all	Promoting extremist views and/or propaganda Foul, abusive, racist, sexist, transphobic, homophobic or other ‘hate’ language.  Homophobic and transphobic bullying- name calling or abuse due to a person’s sexual orientation or inappropriate questioning of a person. Bullying because of someone’s gender or sex.
Inspiring	Being dedicated and striving for high achievement.  Having ambition to succeed. Dare to dream	Not following the college policy

 

 

Unacceptable behaviour can be categorised into three categories – minor, serious or persistent and gross misconduct.  The below lists give examples against each category, but please be aware that these lists are not exhaustive.

 

Minor Unacceptable Behaviour examples -

 

• Unauthorised occasional lateness
• Noisy behaviour
• Using ‘mobile phones’ inappropriately
• Failure to observe reasonable instructions by staff
• Using inappropriate language

 

Serious or persistent misconduct examples -

 

• All examples of minor misconduct, where a learner has not responded appropriately, after earlier requests to do so
• Failure to observe health and safety regulations
• Continuous absence/lateness
• Disruptive behaviour
• Damage to Newcastle City Learning property
• Excessive physical contact with another learner
• Failure to respond to oral warnings given for earlier misconduct
• Failure to respond to a direct instruction given by a member of staff
• Using inappropriate language towards others, including comments which may cause offence, including peer on peer abuse.

 

Gross misconduct -

 

• Assault on, or threatening behaviour towards learners or staff.
• Bullying, harassment or the making of threats against staff or learners
• Theft or fraud
• Committing any criminal offence whilst involved in a Newcastle City Learning activity
• Serious damage or misuse of Newcastle City Learning property
• Seriously disruptive behaviour
• Dangerous behaviour, including the possession of offensive weapons
• Accessing or making available to others pornographic or other offensive material
• Bringing others on to the Newcastle City Learning site or compromising its security in any way
• Possessing, supplying, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Serious misuse of, or interference with, electronic systems or data

 

When a staff member comes across behaviour which does not meet expectations, it is their responsibility to take action. Our aim is to work restoratively, to de-escalate incidents and resolve conflict, repair harm and seek positive outcomes for all parties involved. 

 

Alcohol and drugs

 

It is prohibited to bring alcohol, drugs, illegal substances or substances which may be misused onto college premises.

Learners must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol whilst in college.

Any learner suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be suspended for the day and parents informed.

 

 

• the learner will be referred to the curriculum lead, who will review the incident and put in place relevant support and improvement actions.
• formal disciplinary action may be instigated. 

 

Learners suspected to be dealing drugs will be suspended immediately, pending

investigation/disciplinary action. The police will be informed.

 

Learners found in possession of drugs will be offered appropriate support and will face disciplinary action except in exceptional circumstances.  This will be at the discretion of the Head of Service/Senior Leads.

 

Offensive weapons

 

It is an offence to carry a knife or offensive weapon. Any breach will result in disciplinary action and the police will be informed.

If a learner is suspected of carrying a weapon, staff will be alerted and keep themselves and learners safe. If necessary, staff will clear the immediate area. 

 

Bullying and harassment

 

Newcastle City Learning takes bullying and harassment seriously. This includes, but is not limited to online bullying, inside and outside of college,  and peer on peer abuse.

All reports of bullying and harassment will be referred to the senior leads for investigation and action.

We will use restorative approaches and mediation wherever appropriate and put in place support for all parties.

 

Inappropriate language

 

The college recognises that respectful communications are a key to developing positive relationships between staff as well as preparing for progression. Mutual respect is a key British value.

Neither staff nor learners will engage in swearing or foul and abusive language in shared spaces, including classrooms. All staff will appropriately and respectfully challenge any use of inappropriate language. 

 

Dress

 

Learners should not wear clothing with offensive language or images.

Clothing worn should be appropriate to the learning environment.

In certain classes learners must wear protective clothing/uniform specified by the course. Failure to wear the correct clothing will result in the learner being refused access to some classes.

 

Fighting or threatening behaviour

 

Learners who are involved in a fight will be suspended immediately pending an investigation/disciplinary action.

Learners demonstrating threatening or intimidating behaviour towards either learners, staff or visitors to the college, may be suspended pending an investigation/disciplinary action.

 

Theft / Fraud / Plagiarism

 

Learners who steal from either the college, learners, staff or visitors will face disciplinary action and may be referred to the police.

Learners who are fraudulent will face disciplinary action and the police may be informed.

Plagiarism of any nature is treated seriously by the college. Learners may face both disciplinary and awarding organisation action.

 

Disruption

 

Learners are expected to engage actively in learning and behave respectfully in shared spaces.  Where learners persistently disrupt lessons, teachers and managers will take appropriate action which may include disciplinary action.

Learners should respect other college users and the local neighbourhood when entering and leaving college.

 

Searching Learners

 

(The following guidance is informed by and fully in line with “Searching, Screening and Confiscation. Dept of Education, January 2018)

Newcastle City Learning has the right to search any learner or the possessions of any learner, with or without consent, where they have reason to suspect that learner of having any of the following Prohibited Items:

 

• Knives or Weapons

• Alcohol

• Illegal Drugs

• Stolen Items

• Fireworks

• Pornographic Images

• Any other item that the staff reasonably suspects have been used to commit an offence.

• Any other item that the staff reasonably suspects could be used to cause injury or damage to the property of any person (including the learner)

 

Confiscation

 

Newcastle City Learning staff can seize any prohibited item found as a result of the search. If the item is either illegal, potentially involved in an offence or likely to cause injury to any person or damage to any property, the item will not be returned to the learner but handed to police. Parents/Carers will also be informed.

 

Search Procedure

 

Any staff member can search a learner or the possessions of a learner with that learner's consent.  That consent can be verbal, and no written permission is required.

Managers/Senior Leads and Curriculum Managers can conduct searches without consent within their area of responsibility provided suitable grounds for a search are present.

Alternatively, a learner who refuses to consent to a search can be immediately escorted off college grounds and be refused return.

 

The staff member conducting the search must be the same gender as the learner being searched and a second staff member should be present as a witness. This witness should, where at all possible, also be the same gender as the learner being searched.

The above gender rule may be waived where a learner gives consent or in circumstances where immediate and serious risk of harm to any person is thought likely if a search is not conducted immediately.

 

The following contains points of law that must be read and understood by any staff member undertaking or designated to undertake searches within Newcastle City Learning. 

 

Extent of the Search

 

The law is very clear on the extent of search, with or without consent, permitted to schools and colleges and staff should make sure to abide by the following legal points during any search undertaken.

 

• A learner cannot be required to remove any clothing other than outer clothing (Outer clothing means clothing not worn next to the skin or over underwear. Examples of outer clothing include hats, shoes, boots, gloves and scarves.)

• A pupil’s possessions can only be searched in the presence of the learner unless there is a risk of serious harm if the search is not undertaken immediately. (Possessions means any goods over which the pupil has control. Examples include bags, lockers and desks)

 

Items Found During a Search

 

A staff member can confiscate, retain or destroy any item found as result of a “with consent” search provided they have reasonable cause to do so. Only prohibited items can be confiscated, retained or destroyed during a “without consent” search.

A staff member must confiscate and retain any prohibited item found during a search either with or without consent and then inform the police. 

 

Alcohol

 

Alcohol can be disposed of by any means felt appropriate, but this should not include returning it to the learner.

 

Controlled Drugs

 

Any controlled drugs found must be retained and delivered to the police as soon as possible. Under no circumstances can controlled drugs be returned to a learner as doing so could be considered supplying that controlled substance.

 

Stolen Items

 

Stolen items must be delivered to the police as soon as possible. but may be returned to their owner if there is a case for doing so.  (For example, the value of the goods is very low, and no police involvement is deemed necessary).

 

Fireworks

 

Fireworks found as result of a search may be disposed of by any means felt appropriate, but this should not include returning them to the learner.

 

Pornographic Images.

 

Pornographic images may be disposed of by any means felt appropriate, but this should not include returning them to the learner. An exception to this exists where the images are considered reasonable grounds to suspect an offence, in which case they should be delivered to the police as soon as possible. Examples of such grounds would be child pornography or images of an extreme nature.

 

Weapons and items likely to be used in an offence

 

Any weapon or item likely to be used in an offence must be passed to the police as soon as possible. 

 

Stages within the Behaviour Management Process

 

It is essential that all processes are completed in a timely manner to quickly bring about improvements, ensure clarity around the behaviours in question and the process for resolution, and to minimise any non-attendance where a learner is suspended pending investigation or disciplinary action.

 

Partnership Stage - Informal 

 

Where learners have behaved in a way that breaches the codes of conduct, a restorative conversation should be the first action to understand what happened, who was affected, and what needs to happen to resolve the situation.

All staff can issue an appropriate reward or sanction to any learner.

Tutors will deal with minor breaches at course/class level for example lateness/attendance or behaviour in class. Sanctions and rewards relating to incidents in class will be issued as appropriate by tutors.

Tutors may seek advice and support from managers or pastoral team in relation to behaviour management. This will ensure any support needs are considered and information is available which may inform the next steps. Targets should be set, and appropriate support agreed.

Certain forms of behaviour will lead immediately into the behaviour management process, including but not limited to violent behaviour or dealing drugs on college premises.

 

Disciplinary Stages 1, 2 and 3 - Formal

 

Where an informal resolution has not been possible or suitable or there is no improvement in behaviour, the formal behaviour management process should be followed. 

Where a learner is a Child In Care or a Care Leaver, all steps should be explored to resolve behavioural issues involving the social services key worker and/or social worker.

The Head of Service will retain oversight of any disciplinary procedures and nominate appropriate and trained staff to investigate and make recommendations for each stage of disciplinary meeting. 

There must be sufficient evidence of any strategies employed at course level to improve behaviour. Evidence of clear, targeted actions set, and a full account of the learner’s continuing behavioural issues should be included. These should be recorded with the Pastoral Team.

The behaviour management process has three formal stages and is designed to provide learners with opportunities to make improvements to their behaviour at each stage. 

 

Behaviour Management Procedure Flowchart

 

The three categorisations of unacceptable behaviour are intended to be illustrative and designed to set a framework within which staff can make a judgement as to the severity of a disciplinary issue. It should be acknowledged that all situations are unique, and that a range of circumstances should be taken into consideration before making a final judgement.

 

All incidents of bad behaviour must be recorded on the college’s central records, this allows patterns to be identified and reports to be produced. Curriculum Quality Leads will be responsible for recording this information.

 

The Behaviour Management Flowchart identifies the steps to follow when dealing with unacceptable behaviour. In the first instance the situation will be dealt with by tutors and Pastoral Support Officers /Curriculum Quality Lead.

 

Any information received about an incident after the event must be forwarded to the relevant Manager.

 

Managers may also need to follow up with other Newcastle City Learning procedures, e.g. disciplinary, where appropriate.

 

Where a learner is aged below 18 years, their next of kin/parent/carer must be informed that an incident has occurred as soon as practically possible.

 

If a learner receives 3 or more sanctions within a 6 week period for minor misconduct, they will progress to the partnership stage of the flowchart.

 

If attendance falls below 90%, intervention will be made between the learner and pastoral support.  Parent/Carer/Guardian will be notified of this intervention and will be invited to attend any meetings held with the learner to discuss this.  If no improvement is made within a 4 week period, progression will be made through the stages of the behaviour management process.

 

Behaviour Management Flowchart