Code of Conduct | The English School - A Second Century of Excellence

Codes of Conduct

To maintain a respectful and supportive school environment, The English School has established clear Codes of Conduct for both students and parents/guardians. These outline the standards of behaviour expected within our community and reflect our shared values of respect, fairness, and responsibility. By working together, we can ensure a positive and productive experience for all.

Parents’ and Guardians’ Code of Conduct

A. Purpose and Scope

This Code of Conduct sets out the expectations of The English School regarding the behaviour of parents and guardians while on school premises, attending school-related events, and when engaging with school staff, teachers, or students—whether on or off campus.

All parents and guardians are expected to uphold and promote the school’s ethos and values, as defined in the School’s Mission Statement, in every interaction with the school community.

B. Guiding Principles

The School believes that a strong partnership between home and school is essential. Parents and guardians are expected to:

Foster a cooperative relationship with teachers and school staff, recognising that collaboration benefits students, staff, and the wider school community.
Treat all members of the school community with respect and courtesy, including students, staff, other parents, and visitors.
Understand and respect that school staff may not be immediately available, and that meetings should be scheduled in advance via email or through the school reception.
Follow appropriate channels to raise concerns. The School should be given the opportunity to address any issue before it is discussed publicly, including on social media platforms. (Please refer to the School Complaints Policy for further guidance.)

C. Unacceptable Behaviour

To ensure a respectful and safe environment for all, the following behaviours are considered unacceptable and are strictly prohibited:

Using abusive, threatening, offensive, or harassing language or behaviour, whether in person, by phone, text, email, or other forms of communication, directed at any member of the school community.
Engaging in disruptive conduct that interferes with school operations or activities, including classrooms, offices, school grounds, parking areas, and events.
Threatening physical harm or any form of intimidation towards staff, students, or other parents/guardians.
Threatening or attempting to damage property belonging to school staff, students, or fellow parents.
Retaliatory or aggressive behaviour towards staff or the school in response to decisions or disciplinary actions concerning their child.

D. Consequences of Breach

Breaches of this Code of Conduct will be taken seriously. Depending on the nature and severity of the behaviour, the School reserves the right to take one or more of the following actions:

Issue a verbal or written warning for less serious offences.
Restrict or suspend communication channels with the parent/guardian, including email, phone, or written correspondence.
Prohibit entry to the school premises or attendance at school events, temporarily or permanently, depending on the seriousness of the conduct.

Student Code of Conduct

The English School is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment. This Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour expected of all students and reflects the core values embedded in the School’s Mission Statement: Respect, Tolerance, Fairness, Selflessness, and Responsibility.

Structure

The Code is divided into three key sections:

Students’ Rights
Students’ Responsibilities
Sanctions for Misconduct

1. Students’ Rights

All English School students have the right to:

Be treated with equality, dignity, and respect by all members of the school community.
Access formal procedures for raising concerns about discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, colour, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.
Appeal decisions related to allegations of misconduct or disciplinary sanctions.
Expect safety, confidentiality, and privacy when reporting incidents or being considered in misconduct cases.

2. Students’ Responsibilities

All students are expected to:

Complete academic work with honesty and integrity, avoiding cheating, plagiarism, or any form of misrepresentation.
Respect the rights, feelings, and responsibilities of others.
Refrain from aggressive, disrespectful, or unsafe behaviour towards people or property.
Communicate respectfully and avoid derogatory language or behaviour.
Reject all forms of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
Attend all classes on time and be prepared to participate fully.
Follow the School’s dress code and appearance standards.
Refrain from using mobile phones or other electronic devices during lessons and school activities unless instructed.
Avoid any involvement with drugs, alcohol, smoking, or other addictive substances.
Take part in all school activities, including lessons, events, and sports.
Avoid engaging in political campaigning or promotion on school premises.
Uphold the reputation of the School and act in a way that brings credit to themselves, their family, and the School.
Use technology responsibly, including refraining from online harassment or misuse of social media platforms.
Refrain from using or threatening violence against others.

Note: This list is not exhaustive and may be updated as required.

3. Sanctions for Misconduct

Breaches of the Student Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action. The nature and severity of the misconduct will guide the appropriate response, which may include one or more of the following:

A reflective work assignment
Guidance intervention from a staff member
Communication with parents or a parental meeting
School detention
Immediate withdrawal from class or activity and referral to a member of the Leadership Team
Community service
Suspension from school
Appearance before the Discipline Committee
Permanent exclusion from the School

Whenever possible, disciplinary responses will incorporate restorative practices to help students understand the impact of their actions and support behavioural change.

The School reserves the right to inspect students' belongings, including electronic devices, in cases of suspected bullying or misconduct.
Sanctions may also be applied for serious misconduct occurring off campus or outside school hours, in accordance with the School’s Behaviour Policy.

Home/School Agreement

A. The School’s Responsibilities

The English School commits to:

Providing a broad, high-quality, and engaging education.
Placing the individual needs of students at the centre of all decisions.
Monitoring academic progress and addressing underperformance.
Ensuring student safety and wellbeing.
Respecting the rights and diversity of all members of the school community.
Ensuring teachers provide regular and constructive feedback.
Offering a modern, inclusive curriculum and a variety of extracurricular opportunities.
Tracking attendance and addressing concerns promptly.
Avoiding any form of political promotion or campaigning.
Preparing students for life beyond school, including higher education and employment.
Delivering a strong personal development programme through assemblies and PSHCE lessons.
Maintaining open and regular communication with parents.
Operating an effective behaviour policy that balances sanctions with rewards.
Responding to parent communications courteously and in a timely manner.

B. Parents’ Responsibilities

Parents and guardians are expected to:

Ensure their child attends school regularly and arrives on time.
Support their child’s learning at home and encourage timely completion of homework.
Communicate with the School regarding any academic, social, or wellbeing concerns.
Support school leadership in disciplinary matters involving their child.
Inform the School promptly if their child is unwell or unable to attend.
Reinforce the importance of good behaviour, attendance, and punctuality.
Collaborate with school staff to ensure the best educational outcomes.
Notify the School of any long-term medical conditions affecting their child’s learning.
Avoid placing undue pressure on their child in relation to academic achievement, and instead provide encouragement and support.
Attend parent consultations and review days with their child.
Maintain a respectful and cooperative relationship with school staff.
Encourage their child’s participation in extracurricular activities.