Standards of Pupil Behaviour
The aim of the School's Code of Conduct is to create an atmosphere in which pupils and staff can obtain maximum benefit and enjoyment. Discipline is necessary; it is about mutual respect and collective responsibility: it is not synonymous with punishment. Our School Rules reiterate the statements on attendance and punctuality.It clarifies the principles for orderly and safe movement around the building and it prohibits the obviously un-necessary activities in school such as smoking and gambling.
Similarly, out of school, pupils are reminded that they have a responsibility to themselves, their parents and the School, and their sensible behaviour should be encouraged.
Disciplinary Procedures
Where behaviour is unsatisfactory and a teacher cannot establish a working relationship with a pupil which ensures that class work may proceed productively then it will be necessary to involve sanctions.
Within the classroom the smaller, but nonetheless irritating misdemeanours such as, forgetting homework or specialist kit, unnecessary talking or distraction of others, or lack of application to work may warrant a verbal reprimand, extra work or a punishment exercise, relocation in the room or detention. Repetition of an offence or a more serious transgression could lead to removal from the class, referral to a senior member of staff or the opening of a "class record" which would monitor behaviour and application over a period of probably four weeks. Most instances of wrong-doing can be dealt with at this level: more serious instances are likely to involve a formal disciplinary warning letter and a meeting with parents. Measures available to senior staff, such as attendance checks to counter truancy or late coming, or conduct sheets to monitor daily performance may be used. These are returned home each evening.
In extreme cases of misbehaviour or concern, or in cases of repeated problems when earlier sanctions have been ineffective, then the assistance of outside agencies may be involved such as Social Work, the Children's panel, the area attendance Committee or the coordinated group of school and agency representatives meeting as the School Liaison Group within the Youth Strategy operation.
Pupils may be excluded in the event of similar wrong-doings. An exclusion, which is recorded against a pupil's record, creates a period of time for "cooling-off" and deliberation, after which parental cooperation will be sought in resolving a difficulty and terms of re-admission to the school have to be negotiated with parent and pupil. Where even this action proves ineffective then, with the Director of Education's consent, a pupil may be excluded on a longer term basis or placed, after an assessment of the problem, in an alternative educational establishment.
In no other area is the home-school relationship, to which the reference has been made several times, more vital than that of discipline.
Code of Conduct
- At Linlithgow Academy, all members of our school community are committed to:
- showing that we value academic and vocational education as a life long experience through our everyday work
- taking responsibility for learning and teaching by being punctual, hard-working and positive
- showing our respect for each other by behaving in a self-disciplined way and communicating clearly and politely
- caring for our school environment, by keeping it safe, orderly and free from damage
- following the rules that are necessary to support all of these commitments.
Guidelines for Parents
- show by their own example that they support the school in setting the highest standards in all it tries to do:
- make sure that their children come to school regularly, on time, refreshed, alert, correctly dressed and ready to work:
- take an active and supportive interest in their children's work and progress.
- support the authority and discipline of the school, helping their children to achieve maturity, self-discipline and self-control:
- control the development of their children's use of leisure time activities and entertainments.