Student Code of Conduct
Our student ‘code of conduct’ sets out our expectations regarding student conduct and attitudes. Failure to fully meet any of the expectations set out within this code of conduct constitutes misconduct. The code is not exhaustive, however, and there may be other examples of behaviour which the College may consider to be misconduct.
Academic Expectations
All students are expected to:
- Remain committed to a full-time programme of study which will include a minimum of the equivalent of three level 3 subjects, and any GCSE resit courses if applicable.
- Show dedication to academic studies putting this as a priority above all other out of college commitments, for example part-time jobs and social commitments.
- Approach all college related tasks with an appropriate high level of enthusiasm, dedication and application, to include independent, self-directed study in accordance with course recommendations.
- Attend and engage in Academic Interventions.
- Complete and meet deadlines for Directed Independent Learning (DIL) as directed by subject staff, producing work that is fully complete and to a good standard.
- Complete and meet deadlines for coursework/non-examined assessment elements, ensuring the work that you submit is your own, has not been created using AI and is not plagiarised in any other way.
- Complete and meet assignment deadlines for Applied General qualifications, ensuring the work that you submit is your own and not plagiarised.
Attendance and Punctuality Expectations
All students are expected to:
- Maintain high levels of attendance and to inform their Progress Tutor and teacher as soon as practicable if for any reason they are unable to attend a lesson or other programmed events.
- Avoid absence as a result of family holidays or other unauthorised absence. such as driving lessons or employment.
- Arrive at, and be ready to start learning at, the published start time of each lesson.
- Avoid making non-emergency medical or dental appointments during college hours. Where this is unavoidable but essential parents should also notify the college in advance of these appointments wherever possible and proof of the appointment must be provided.
- Take responsibility for catching up on any work missed through absence.
Conduct Expectations
All students are expected to:
- Follow the reasonable instructions of members of the college staff at all times
- Adhere to modern British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
- Demonstrate appropriate conduct and language towards staff and students including meeting the expectations set out in college policies such as the Social Media and the Equality and Diversity Policy.
- Wear college lanyards displaying your ID card whilst on site at all times.
- Be organised and prepared for lessons including having the appropriate equipment for every lesson.
- Ensure that all unpaid fees and debts are settled in full.
- Adhere to core expectations in lessons and around college, for example in relation to the use of outdoor clothing, food and drink in lessons, the appropriate use of mobile phones, and other expectations applicable to the context and environment.
- Act as an ambassador for college and behave in a responsible manner at all times, both within and outside college times.
- Respect the local college community and ensure that behaviour standards mirror those expected in college.
- Be available to see staff within the college core day, according to timetable or as and when required by staff.
College Environment Expectations
All students are expected to:
- Use college facilities and behave generally in a way which respects the needs and aspirations of others to learn, teach, work and flourish within the College.
- Familiarise yourself with the College’s Health and Safety Policy and other regulations, complying with them and acting at all times with due regard for their own safety and the safety of others.
- Respect the property of the College, its staff, students and visitors.
- Ensure that cars, motorcycles and bikes are parked appropriately and safely, with respect to the environment, community and other users both within the facilities provided by the college and externally.
- Support staff and other students in maintaining a clean and tidy environment throughout the College.
- Adhere to the College’s rules on smoking, vaping, alcohol, prohibited items and illegal substances. The use or possession of alcohol and illegal substances is prohibited. Please see gross misconduct.
- Ensure that appropriate dress is worn for an educational setting.
Gross Misconduct
A non-exhaustive list of examples is provided below.
Additionally, repeated breaches of the code of conduct which results in an escalation through the Formal Behaviour and Conduct system right through to stages 4 and 5 to is considered to be gross misconduct.
Examples of Gross Misconduct:
- Violent, threatening or obstructive behaviour.
- Harassment or bullying (physical or verbal, including electronic means e.g., text messaging, social networking sites).
- Possession of or dealing in illegal substances.
- Having possession of or being under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
- Serious infringement of the Trust Equality and Diversity policy.
- Failure to meet mandatory deadlines and attend examinations.
- Smoking or vaping in or on the college site.
- Cheating in examinations or failure to follow comply with examination board regulations.
- Theft or wilful damage to College property.
- Carrying an offensive weapon.
- Sexual abuse, assault or harassment.
- Making a malicious serious false allegation against a student or a member of staff
- Potentially placing students, staff and members of the public in significant danger or at risk of significant harm.
- Bringing members of the public onto college premises or being complicit in them gaining entry.
- Behaviour that brings the college into disrepute.
- Failure to complete and submit NEA and Applied General assignments by given deadlines.
- Submission of Applied General coursework / NEA that is plagiarised, created by AI or not the product of a student’s own independent work and independent thinking.
- Extensive absence as a result of family holidays/prolonged unauthorised absences.
