Shire Oak Academy
Shire Oak Academy Turning potential into excellence Important policies @ Shire Oak Academy To ensure all parents/carers are fully informed, the following policies are brought to your attention. Each of these policies is available from the academy or can be viewed in our website www.shireoakacademy.co.uk Anti-bullying policy Teaching and non-teaching staff are aware of the need for vigilance and will follow up any incident which could involve bullying. Stringent sanctions will be taken against the perpetrator of any bullying incident. Students accept their responsibility for ensuring Shire Oak is a safe and happy place for everyone. They will continue to be encouraged to tell someone if they are being bullied, if they know someone else who is being bullied, or if they see any form of bullying. Parents/carers will also continue to be encouraged to make immediate contact if they have suspicions that this unacceptable practice may exist. A ‘buddy system’ operates upon transfer. Equal opportunities policy All students have equal rights, equal opportunity and equal access to the full and comprehensive education Shire Oak provides. They are entitled to receive the appropriate support required as valued and active members of the community. All students and staff have the right to be respected and valued by their peers. Discrimination based on differences in gender, race, language, culture, creed and physical and mental ability will not be accepted. Racist, sexist and other forms of prejudiced behaviour are not acceptable, whether expressed physically, verbally, through graffiti, e-mail or social networking sites, by distributing racist or sexist material, wearing political badges or insignia or through a refusal to work or collaborate with others. Such incidents would be challenged immediately and the most stringent disciplinary sanctions invoked. A log is maintained of any incident encountered and parents/carers of the victim and the instigator immediately informed. Teaching and learning materials are monitored to avoid gender, ethnic, religious, political or any other bias. Varied teaching styles accommodate the different ways in which students learn and achieve. A separate Race Equality Policy devised in line with the Amended Race Relations (2000) Act is available upon request. Child protection policy Children and young persons have individual rights. They have, above all, the right to have their basic needs met and to be protected from harm. The academy follows the procedure outlined in the Walsall Area Child Protection Procedures policy. Mrs Smith, Pastoral Manager, is the senior member of staff with designated responsibility for implementing procedures established by Walsall Children’s Services. Sex education policy The academy’s sex education policy aims to provide an understanding that positive, caring environments are essential for the development of a good self-image and that individuals are responsible for their own behaviour and bodies. Facts are presented in an objective and balanced way, with students being encouraged to consider their attitudes and values. In Years 7–11 sex education constitutes part of the personal and social education programme. Biology and child development courses also consider issues related to this aspect. Post 16 provision sees sex education within the foundation studies programme. Upon entry to the academy all parents/carers receive a summary of the aspects covered within the sex education programme. To date, no parent/carer has exercised their right to withdraw their child from sex education. Were such ever to be requested in writing, such a request would be honoured, alternative arrangements being made for the student concerned. Home and academy statement of shared values Shire Oak has operated a statement of shared values since 1991. This document is issued to all parents/ carers at the outset of Year 7. Within this contract the academy makes its commitment to students and states its expectations of them and parents/carers. Parents/carers are requested to enter into this partnership with us and to sign the document, to ensure every child achieves to the full. Any parent/carer wishing to see a copy of this statement, in advance, is invited to do so.
Fact sheet 9: Important policies @ Shire Oak Academy
Shire Oak Academy Turning potential into excellence Important policies @ Shire Oak Academy
Guidance on care and control of pupils policy Staff are authorised by the Principal under government legislation to have control or charge of pupils. This permits the use of such force as is reasonable in all the circumstances to prevent a pupil from doing, or continuing to do, any of the following: committing a criminal offence (including behaving in a way that would be an offence if the pupil were not under the age of criminal responsibility). injuring themselves or others causing damage to property (including the pupil’s own property). engaging in any behaviour prejudicial to maintaining good order and discipline at the academy or among any of its pupils, whether that behaviour occurs in a classroom during a teaching session or elsewhere. The provision applies when a teacher, or other authorised person, is on the academy premises and when he or she has lawful control or charge of the pupil concerned elsewhere e.g. on a field trip or other authorised out of academy activity. Religious education policy The academy has no affiliation to a particular religious denomination. Parents/carers have a right to withdraw their child from this basic subject and from the daily act of worship. Examination entry policy All students who have followed a course in the academy and completed the required coursework will be entered for the appropriate examination. This opportunity is extended regardless of a student’s ability or aptitude. The cost of any such examination entries is met by the academy. The full policy is despatched to parents/carers at the outset of a student’s course in Key Stage 4. Charging and remissions policy As within any school, parents/carers will occasionally be asked to make voluntary contributions towards the cost of activities or trips. For residential trips, the same voluntary arrangements apply except that a charge may be made for the cost of board and lodging. Parents/carers in receipt of income support or family credit are eligible to have these subsistence costs waived. In the event of an academy trip or visit receiving insufficient voluntary support, it may have to be cancelled. To date, however, our experience has found that requests for voluntary contributions have been met positively. Policy concerning complaints The governing body has established procedures for dealing with all complaints relating to the academy other than those dealt with in accordance with any procedures established by virtue of other statutory provision. These procedures range from informal to formal stages including the right to appeal. Separate written complaints procedures operate with respect to persons who are pupils at the academy at the time they make a formal a complaint, persons who are governors at the academy at the time they make a formal complaint and persons other than those previously mentioned. Any complaint should initially be referred to the Principal as the official complaints officer.
Fact sheet 9: Important policies @ Shire Oak Academy
Fact sheet 9: Important policies @ Shire Oak Academy
Shire Oak Academy Turning potential into excellence Important policies @ Shire Oak Academy
Guidance on care and control of pupils policy Staff are authorised by the Principal under government legislation to have control or charge of pupils. This permits the use of such force as is reasonable in all the circumstances to prevent a pupil from doing, or continuing to do, any of the following: committing a criminal offence (including behaving in a way that would be an offence if the pupil were not under the age of criminal responsibility). injuring themselves or others causing damage to property (including the pupil’s own property). engaging in any behaviour prejudicial to maintaining good order and discipline at the academy or among any of its pupils, whether that behaviour occurs in a classroom during a teaching session or elsewhere. The provision applies when a teacher, or other authorised person, is on the academy premises and when he or she has lawful control or charge of the pupil concerned elsewhere e.g. on a field trip or other authorised out of academy activity. Religious education policy The academy has no affiliation to a particular religious denomination. Parents/carers have a right to withdraw their child from this basic subject and from the daily act of worship. Examination entry policy All students who have followed a course in the academy and completed the required coursework will be entered for the appropriate examination. This opportunity is extended regardless of a student’s ability or aptitude. The cost of any such examination entries is met by the academy. The full policy is despatched to parents/carers at the outset of a student’s course in Key Stage 4. Charging and remissions policy As within any school, parents/carers will occasionally be asked to make voluntary contributions towards the cost of activities or trips. For residential trips, the same voluntary arrangements apply except that a charge may be made for the cost of board and lodging. Parents/carers in receipt of income support or family credit are eligible to have these subsistence costs waived. In the event of an academy trip or visit receiving insufficient voluntary support, it may have to be cancelled. To date, however, our experience has found that requests for voluntary contributions have been met positively. Policy concerning complaints The governing body has established procedures for dealing with all complaints relating to the academy other than those dealt with in accordance with any procedures established by virtue of other statutory provision. These procedures range from informal to formal stages including the right to appeal. Separate written complaints procedures operate with respect to persons who are pupils at the academy at the time they make a formal a complaint, persons who are governors at the academy at the time they make a formal complaint and persons other than those previously mentioned. Any complaint should initially be referred to the Principal as the official complaints officer.
Fact sheet 9: Important policies @ Shire Oak Academy
