12 March 2018

Dear Parent/Guardian

Rewards and Sanctions at Samuel Ward Academy

In assemblies this week, some changes to the sanctions and rewards systems are being shared with students. This letter is to share these with you also.

I am pleased to report that the Consequence system for in-class behaviour introduced in November is having a positive impact on ensuring the learning in classrooms is not disrupted, and the number of students receiving a C3/C4 detention has steadily decreased since November.

We now plan to introduce a further layer to this system for more serious offences. This will be known as ‘zero tolerance.’ Zero tolerance offences are for both in-classroom behaviour and behaviour in corridors/around the school site at any time. They include:

  • Violent or threatening behaviour (verbal or physical, including on social media)
  • Physical contact (including “play-fighting”)
  • Swearing
  • Extreme defiance
  • Racism/prejudice
  • Dangerous use of equipment
  • Wilful damage to school or another person’s property
  • Leaving a classroom without permission
  • Unsafe behaviour around the school site e.g running through corridors.
  • Being out of bounds
  • Two C4s in the same day

In the past, students who have made these kind of mistakes are given time in the pavilion. Instead, we have replaced the pavilion with an Internal Exclusion Room. Any student who is given a ‘zero tolerance’ sanction will spend the subsequent 6 periods in Internal Exclusion (even if this means it is spread across two days). They will complete work given by their subject teachers and they will have a break-time and lunchtime at a separate time from their peers. After their sanction is completed, you will be contacted and asked to meet a member of the Year Team or Leadership Team in school for a re-admittance meeting as soon as possible. For more serious or persistent offences, more than 6 periods in Internal Exclusion may be given or, in extreme cases, a Fixed Period (Home) Exclusion.

To date, any student who has received a C1, C2, C3 or C4 consequence in the first half of a double lesson has had a fresh start for the second half of the double lesson. In future, the consequences will carry over into the second lesson.

We are also looking into the use of Exit Cards, which some students have been given. We are looking to phase these out over the coming weeks, unless students have serious medical or SEN needs. If your child currently has an exit card, you will be contacted by their year team to discuss this.

We are extremely proud that the majority of our students follow our code of behaviour and we will continue to reward all students for good conduct and attitude to learning. We are looking at increasing the level of rewards we offer in addition to sanctions. We will be meeting with the Student Council for their views on rewards, but would welcome any parent views on this also. Please do not hesitate to contact me on jpowell@samuelward.co.uk with any suggestions.

The Zero Tolerance system and other things discussed in this letter will be put into place on Monday 19 March.

In the meantime, if you have any views, please do not hesitate to contact me on the email address above or via the school telephone number.

Thank you for your support in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for your child.

Kind regards

Miss J Powell
Assistant Headteacher