Code of Conduct for Parents, Carers and Visitors
This Code of Conduct is an unsigned agreement between the Parent, Carer, Visitor and William Harding.
At William Harding we are very proud and fortunate to have a very dedicated and supportive school community. At our school we all recognise that the education of our children is a partnership between us and that our pupils must come first.
We expect our school community to respect our school vision, values and mission to keep our school tidy, set a good example as role models with their own behaviour both on school premises.
In addition, we also expect our parents, carers and visitors to keep our children safe by adhering to the school’s request to park safely outside the school gates during morning and afternoon collections. We also expect our parents and carers to respect our neighbours by staying off their property. It is important for parents and carers to make sure any persons collecting their children are aware of this policy.
As a partnership we should all be aware of the importance of good working relationships and all recognise the importance of these being positive and supportive to ensure our pupils have the necessary skills for their education and for modern life. For these reasons we welcome and encourage parents and carers to participate fully in the life of our school.
Our Home School Agreement supports us to build a community where staff, pupils and parent work together to ensure every child feels safe, is valued and encouraged to achieve their potential. We want our pupils to be able to become independent learners who enjoy learning. We expect that pupils, staff and parents all adhere to the Home School Agreement to enable us all to work together for the best possible outcomes for the pupils.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct and our Home School Agreement is to provide the expectations around the conduct of all parents, carers and visitors connected to our school and to ensure it matches our school vision, values and mission.
We are committed to resolving difficulties in a constructive manner, through an open and positive dialogue. However, we understand that everyday misunderstandings can cause frustrations and have a negative impact on our relationships. Where issues arise or misconceptions take place, please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance who will go through the issue and hopefully resolve it. Where issues remain unresolved, please follow our Who to contact sheet (link here)
This code aims to clarify the types of behaviour that will not be tolerated and seeks parental agreement to these expectations. The Code of Conduct also sets out the actions the school can and may take should this code be ignored or where breaches occur.
Behaviour that will not be tolerated:
Disruptive behaviour which interferes or threatens to interfere with any of the school’s normal operation or activities anywhere on the school premises
Any inappropriate behaviour on the school premises
Using loud or offensive language or displaying temper
Threatening behaviour, in any way, a member of staff, visitor, fellow parent/carer or child
Damaging or destroying school property, or threatening to
Sending abusive or threatening emails/texts/voicemail/phone messages or other written communications (including social media & any linked to the school’s social media sites) to anyone within the school community
Defamatory, offensive, rude or derogatory comments regarding the school or any of the pupils/parents/staff/governors at the school on any form of social media including messaging apps
The use of physical, verbal or written aggression towards another adult or child, this includes physical punishment of your own child, on school premises
Approaching someone else’s child in order to discuss or chastise them because of the actions of this child towards their own child. (such an approach to a child may be seen to be an assault on that child and may have legal consequences)
Smoking, taking illegal drugs or the consumption of alcohol on school premises. (Alcohol may only be consumed during authorised events in line with Health and Safety guidance)
Dogs being brought on to the school premises. (other than guide dogs)
Should any of the above occur on school premises, or in connection with school, the school may feel it is necessary to take action by contacting the appropriate authorities or consider banning the offending adult from entering the school premises. Where situations happen outside of school, the school will liaise with the appropriate bodies but may not have overall jurisdiction to act.
Thank you for abiding by this code in our school. Together we create a positive and uplifting environment not only for the children but also all who work and visit our school.
What happens if someone ignores or breaks the code?
In the event of any parent/carer or visitor of the school breaking, this code then proportionate actions will be taken as follows:
In cases where the unacceptable behaviour is considered to be a serious and potentially criminal matter, the concerns will in the first instance be referred to the Police. This will include any or all cases of threats or violence and actual violence to any child, staff or governor in the school. This will also include anything that could be seen as a sign of harassment of any member of the school community, such as any form of insulting social media post or any form of social media cyber bullying. In cases where evidence suggests that behaviour would be tantamount to libel or slander, then the school will refer the matter to the County Councils Legal Team for further action.
In cases where the code of conduct has been broken but the breach was not libellous, slanderous or criminal matter, then the school will send out a formal letter to the parent/carer to ask them to stop the behaviour causing the concern and warn that if they do not they may be banned from the school premises. If after this behaviour continues, the parent/carer will again be written to and informed that a ban is now in place.
Note: (1) a ban from the school can be introduced without having to go through all the steps offered above in more serious cases. (2) Site bans will normally be limited in the first instance.
Issues of conduct with the use of Social Media
Most people take part in online activities and social media. It’s fun, interesting and keeps us connected.
However we ask that you use common sense when discussing school life online. ‘Think before you post’ We expect that social media, whether public or private, should not be used to fuel campaigns and voice complaints against the school, school staff, parents or children.
We take very seriously inappropriate use of social media by a parent/person to publicly humiliate or criticise another parent, member of staff, the school as a whole or child. They should not use social media as a medium to air any concerns or grievances.
Online activity which we consider inappropriate:
Identifying or posting images/videos of children
Abusive or personal comments about the school, staff, governors, children or other parents
Bringing the school in disrepute
Posting defamatory or libellous comments
Emails circulated or sent directly with abusive or personal comments about the school, staff or children
Using social media to publicly challenge school policies or discuss issues about school procedures or policies, individual children or members of staff
Threatening behaviour, such as verbally intimidating staff, bullying, harassment, attacking or using bad language
Breaching school security procedures
At our school we take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and will deal with any reported incidents appropriately in line with the actions outlined above.