Attitude to Learning at Kettering Buccleuch Academy

Kettering Buccleuch Academy behaviour system

Disruption free learning

We believe in giving every child the best possible education.  Any student that slows down the learning in a classroom is disrupting the learning of students and will go through the disruption free learning system.

Behaviour at Kettering Buccleuch Academy during the last Ofsted visit was graded as good.  This has also been the case during a more recent Section 5 inspection and DFE visit.  Behaviour over the academic year of 16/17 was good.  These improvements are due to improvements at every level in the academy from students, staff, governance and the wider community pushing the academy’s academic achievement, behaviour for learning and ethos forward.

Consistency In Lessons

Staff must always follow the framework to ensure that all students know exactly what is required of them. Senior staff will regularly visit classes to support implementation of this framework.  Students are in school to learn and must follow the framework to ensure maximum learning and progress.

Arriving at the lesson:

Staff and Students must arrive punctually at their lessons. Registers must be completed within 5 minutes of the start time. Students must have all equipment required for the lesson, e.g. pen, pencil, ruler, etc.  Staff will make clear where or whether students must line up and after greeting students at the door, must always get students into lessons quickly to engage students in the pace of learning.  If lining up, students must do so quietly and smartly and if entering directly, students must enter quietly and responsibly.  When students enter classrooms they must remove all outdoor clothing, find their allocated seat, get out all equipment or books (including their Student Planner), place bags on the floor under their chairs and then sit quietly, waiting for the lesson to start, within 90 seconds.  Staff should not need to request this to occur.  This saves time and will result in more learning time.  Students have their Planners with them at all times, since this helps to organise learning and homework, and is a good communication tool between home and school.

Start of lesson / register / lateness:

When a teacher stands quietly facing a class, students must be silent and should help each other to be silent.  A register of attendance must be taken during the first 5 minutes using SIMS.  Students must be silent and politely answer, “Yes Sir / Yes Miss” (clearly sounding the word “yes” and not “yep” or other forms).  Lateness must be coded with an ‘L’ in SIMs and the number of minutes late recorded.  Late arrivals should apologise and be seated (the teacher will conduct any required discussions at the end of the lesson or at a time when learning will not be disturbed.).  Staff must issue students with a Late Pass or note, if they detain them, making them late for their next lesson.  All teachers must have a seating plan to enhance the learning experience and environment.  This may be boy/girl … friendship/non friendship, etc.  Students must sit where asked to by their teachers.

Answering Questions / Rules for Talk:

When the teacher or a student is talking to the whole class, students must be silent and listen.  If they wish to ask or answer a question, students must always put up their hands and then wait, unless they have been invited to talk by a teacher, or the teacher has explained that a different system will operate for that lesson.  Students should be encouraged to take turns and must never be allowed to interrupt.  Respect must be shown to whoever is talking; teacher or student.  Polite vocabulary must be used in lessons and impolite vocabulary must be corrected.

Students out of seats and out of class:

Students must not leave their seats without permission.  All students must sit on their chairs correctly, without swinging back.  In practical lessons, students must follow the instructions of their teacher in order for an orderly environment with no breaches of health and safety regulations.  No student will be allowed to leave a lesson, e.g. to visit the toilet or fill a water bottle, except in exceptional circumstances.  In these circumstances, a corridor pass must be issued.

End of lesson:

Lessons must finish on time.  Sufficient time must be allowed for students to pack away, change, etc. This will allow for an effective transition between lessons. When asked to by the teacher, students must stand up quietly, push their chairs in and stand behind their chairs in silence.  When the bell rings this is for the teacher’s reference. Students must wait for their teacher to dismiss from the door, by tables or rows, quietly and in an orderly fashion.  Teaching spaces must be left tidy and litter free, as you would expect and like to find them. 

Consistency Around The Academy

All staff must approach and question any student that they meet around the school if any of the following items are incorrect.  Such interactions must be friendly but firm, non-confrontational and persuasive.  All students must be aware that, even when not in lessons, their behaviour must be of the highest standard. Duty staff must maintain a visible presence in their allocated areas at break and other times.

 

Manners and conduct:

All staff / student interactions must be characterised by positive relationships and mutual respect.  There must be no tolerance of rude behaviour and staff must encourage students to show consideration, behave calmly and to be polite, using good manners, e.g. smiling, “Please” and “Thank You”.  Students must be helped to understand what is acceptable language and that inappropriate language can offend.  Swearing or foul language must always be corrected by a member of staff.  Any student swearing directly at a member of staff will be excluded from school.  Anti-social behaviour such as vandalism or spitting will not be tolerated.  All staff must expect students to follow instructions first time, without question.  Shouting is unacceptable within this academy except in extreme circumstances.  Staff are expected to model the use of polite and respectful language when interacting with students.

 

Movement around the academy:

Everyone must walk on the left and respect the one-way system during lesson changeover times. There must be no pushing, running or general silliness indoors.  General courtesy must be shown by all members of the academy, e.g. by holding doors open for each other.  Students must be directed to move purposefully and quietly to and from lessons without stopping to socialise, etc.  Students must not ‘hang around’ in corridors or congregate in crowds indoors anywhere other than designated areas.  Students out of lessons must always have a corridor pass and must expect to be questioned by staff. Students with a note and permission to leave school must sign out with the Attendance Officer.  In the event of a fire alarm, students and staff must move quickly, quietly and in an orderly manner to the designated fire assembly point.  Upon arrival, students must line up in alphabetical order in their tutor group and wait for the register to be taken in silence.

 

Break and lunch times:

Wherever possible, students should spend their break and lunch time in a purposeful activity by engaging with one of the clubs or activities provided by academy staff. If students are not involved in a club or activity they must remain calm and quiet if inside the building.  When visiting the KBA Café students must queue in an orderly manner and follow instructions given by staff if these are given.  When the warning bell sounds for the end of break and lunch time, students must move to their next lesson without delay and using the quickest and most appropriate route.

 

Respect for ourselves and our environment:

Respect must be shown for property, e.g. rooms, equipment, chairs, tables and books.  Ball games are only allowed to be played outside in appropriate areas.  Food must only be eaten before or after school, at break or lunchtime.  All cooked meals must be eaten in the KBA Cafe area.  All litter must be placed in bins and where snacks are eaten in social spaces, care must be taken to avoid ‘mess’ adhering to a ‘leave as you find’ ethos.  Plastic bottles of water are permitted, however, fizzy or energy drinks and chewing gum are not allowed in school and will be confiscated. This academy is a non-smoking zone.  Cigarettes, lighters, matches, alcohol, drugs or dangerous items are forbidden.  Academy staff will confiscate any prohibited item found.

 

Mobile phones and valuables:

Mobile phones are allowed in school at the responsibility and risk of the owner. However, such devices (including headphones) must not be used during lessons and remain in bags, unless the teacher gives permission for them to be used for a specific purpose.  We advise that, in general, valuable items should not be brought to school and that parents and carers must consider very carefully before sending students to school with such items, since we cannot accept any responsibility should they go missing.

Uniform, Community and Sixth Form Clarification

Correct uniform must be worn by all students whilst in attendance at the school, on the way to and from school.

Uniform:
A white shirt must be worn with a conventional collar and academy tie.  Any clothing worn underneath the shirt must be plain white in order not to be visible.  Students must wear either an academy jumper or an academy blazer, dependent upon their year group.  Academy jumpers cannot be worn instead of the academy blazer, they are to be worn with the blazer in cold weather.  School appropriate black trousers or a black skirt must be worn avoiding extremes of fashion and be of an appropriate length (Jeans, chino’s, cords, not tight to the skin, stretch fabric, split designs, unnecessary decoration such as zips/jewels/glitter etc,  leggings or hipsters are not acceptable).  Large ornamental, studded or coloured belts must not be worn.  A black belt with a conventional buckle is acceptable.  All students must wear plain black polishable school shoes. They must not be open-toed, high-heeled or ‘Ugg’ style footwear. Trainers or plimsolls are not acceptable.  There is a separate requirement for PE uniform.

 

Jewellery is restricted to two small studs, one in each ear. Other forms of body piercing (face, tongue, etc) or tattoos are not permitted and extreme hairstyles are not appropriate.  A watch is encouraged as this aids personal timekeeping.  If worn, make-up must be discrete. Outdoor clothing must be smart and avoid extremes of fashion.  No hats or caps to be worn indoors. Headscarves (e.g. hijabs) may be worn for religious reasons and must be plain black.

 

If any student does not have correct uniform they must have a temporary uniform pass from the Heads of House Office.  Tutors must check uniform daily. Students may be asked to wear replacement uniform provided by the academy and, if their attire is particularly poor, may be asked to go home to change.  All items of clothing and equipment should be named and be smart and clean.  Kettering Buccleuch Academy cannot accept responsibility for lost items of equipment and clothing.

 

Sixth Form Consistency:
Sixth Form students have a key role to play in the academy as role models to younger students. The spirit of the whole document and the majority of the detail applies to the Sixth Form, but there are some situations where common sense variations are allowed respecting their greater maturity.  Thus the Sixth Form Dress Code is modified to: smart casual.  All clothing must be suitable for wear in a school environment, maintaining modesty.  Shorts, sports wear, flip flops, crop or vest tops, short skirts, T shirts with inappropriate text or logos, excessive jewellery or make-up, etc. are examples that would not be suitable.

Community:
All students are encouraged to play an active part in the life of the community in which they live. Participation in community or voluntary based groups such as air cadets, sea cadets, army cadets, St John’s Ambulance Service or sporting clubs allows students the opportunity to become giving and positive contributors to their community.

 

All students at the academy are ambassadors for our values and ethos whether this be within school, on the way to or from school, on trips or visits and in interactions between members of our academy community, within the community. (The Principal does have the legal right to take action upon members of our academy community even when issues arise outside the academy or out of school hours, where this affects the reputation of our academy or the well-being of our students).

 

Students must have respect for the academy’s neighbours and be helpful and considerate in the local community. Students are accountable for their behaviour at all times and must conduct themselves as responsible citizens. Students should be aware that congregating in large groups can at times be intimidating for members of the public. 

 

The guidance and rules that we enforce within the school community are appropriate guidance for how students conduct themselves in the wider community.  Respect and consideration underpin all of our actions.

Kettering Buccleuch Academy works closely with the Police Community Support Officers and Safer Communities Team in order to deal with anti-social behaviour in a constructive and co-operative manner.

United Learning comprises: United Learning Ltd (Registered in England No: 00018582. Charity No. 313999) UCST (Registered in England No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee. Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.

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