code of behaviour discipline procedure grievance procedure · a student merit system is used to ......
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Roscrea Education Centre Old Dublin Road, Roscrea, E53 P797, Co. Tipperary
0505-22481 [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/RoscreaEducationCentre/
__________________________________________________________________________________
Code of Behaviour
Discipline Procedure
Grievance Procedure
Príomh Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin: Fionuala McGeever
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Mission Statement
Our Mission is to facilitate Further Education Opportunities for the people of Roscrea and its wider
community, in a safe and nurturing environment of mutual respect and trust.
Rationale
The purpose of Roscrea Education Centre’s Code of Behaviour is to give practical guidelines
to promote positive behaviour that is based on mutual respect and self-discipline. It also
aims to nurture behaviour that will enable students to:
- participate in the world of work,
- progress and encourage student’s learning,
- encourage active citizenship and to
- manage adult life successfully.
Policy Aims
1. To provide a safe and welcoming environment.
2. To facilitate the orderly and safe running of the Centre.
3. To facilitate teaching and learning by positive, constructive and fair means.
4. To promote positive student behaviour, student self-discipline and student/teacher
interaction.
5. To enable students to understand the consequences of misbehaviour.
6. To ensure Roscrea Education Centre deals fairly and consistently with incidents of
misbehaviour.
7. To help the students, parents/guardians, staff to understand the disciplinary and
grievance procedures of the centre.
Expectations of Students, Parents/Guardians and Staff
Roscrea Education Centre aims to promote high standards of honesty, courtesy and mutual
respect. These values form the basis of all relationships within the Centre.
Fairness is a priority for all staff in their dealings with students and parents/guardians.
Parents/guardians have a responsibility to actively support the staff of the centre in the fair
application of the Code of Behaviour. Students are expected to be respectful and to
participate in a positive manner in centre activities and their own education. Parents are
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encouraged to involve themselves in positive participation with Roscrea Education Centre in
order to develop and maintain links between the home and Roscrea Education Centre.
Support Systems for Students:
Roscrea Education Centre currently provides the following support systems for students
A dedicated staff that is committed to the care and teaching of students1.
Access to a centre Counsellor for students.
An Advocate is available for students to assist them with C.V. / Interview skills, Work
experience and Guidance.
The facilitation of guest speakers on educational topics where and as appropriate.
Rights and Responsibilities of Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff
Rights of Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff
o The right to respect
o The right to safety
o The right to learn and work in a positive and suitable atmosphere where effective education and training takes place
o The right to express needs/grievances – students have the right to help when they are experiencing difficulties.
Responsibilities of Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff o Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff have a
responsibility to show and treat other people with the respect that they would expect to receive
o Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff have a responsibility to ensure their own safety & the safety of others - Physical/Threatening/Intimidating behaviour is not acceptable at any time
o Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff have a responsibility for their own commitment to learning in a positive atmosphere
o Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff have a responsibility to discuss matters which may affect them in order to avail of possible assistance.
The Staff of Roscrea Education Centre are also bound by the Teaching Council and Tipperary ETB’s policies and procedures.
1 The following policies are utilised in order to assist staff in the care and teaching of students
Child Protection Policy
Anti-bullying policy
Smoking policy
Drugs policy
Internet Policy
SPHE/RSE policy
Literacy Policy
Visitor’s Policy
Mobile Phone/Audio listening devices Policy
Healthy Eating Policy
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Respect for Property
The Code of Behaviour for Roscrea Education Centre promotes respect for the property of
Centre and Tipperary ETB. Students, Parents/Guardians, Staff must at all times take good
care of their own property and the property of Roscrea Education Centre and Tipperary ETB.
Punctuality
Students must be punctual at all times. The centre working day begins at 09.00 am unless
otherwise informed by the Centre management.
Attendance
Full attendance is expected at all times from students. (See attendance policy)
Students must sign in/sign out in electronic format and paper format.
In the event of a medical absence, a doctor’s note is required explaining the absence. A
Doctor’s note is also required to ensure that a student is in healthy condition to attend the
centre after an illness/absence.
Attendance will also be recorded for each class by the subject teacher.
Attendance is monitored and prolonged absences (a week or more) will be followed up by
the staff. It is therefore important that students inform the coordinator as soon as possible
of any difficulties in attendance that may arise.
Work Experience
The Guidance counsellor/Advocate monitor Work Experience placements and attendance.
Time sheets must be in by before lunch time on Mondays.
Illness/medical conditions
If a student has any medical condition, they should immediately inform the Centre
Coordinator of such conditions – this must be accompanied by a signed doctor’s note. Sick
certs must be given into the office before lunch on the Monday following an absence.
Medical conditions which may cause a safety risk will be recorded for safety of student
concerned and for safety of rest of the centre community. Relevant actions will be taken if
required.
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Appearance
Students must wear clothing which is appropriate to their learning environment / the
workplace.
Hoodies (hood up) should not be worn while in class / on work experience.
Only items of small jewellery are allowed. Jewellery with potential health and safety
risks are not allowed, e.g. large hoops/rings.
Long hair must be tied back for Health and Safety purposes, especially in practical
classes (e.g. woodwork and catering). Kitchen safety clothing need to be worn when
required.
Students must wear footwear and clothing appropriate to the learning environment.,
especially in practical classes.
Students are expected to be mindful of personal hygiene.
Health and Safety
Students, Parents/Guardians, Teachers/Staff are expected to comply with the health and
safety rules of the centre (refer to Health and Safety Policy of the Centre).
Students are not allowed to leave the class room without permission.
It is each student’s responsibility to attend every class as per time table and on time.
In practical classes, students must never operate/use equipment without a qualified
teacher present.
Students are not allowed to leave the centre without permission from the
coordinator/acting coordinator. During lunch time (if student has parental
permission/is over 18) student must sign out with the teacher on supervision duty.
Procedures for guiding Behaviour within Roscrea Education Centre
Everybody in the centre is expected to abide by the mission statement of the centre.
Students are expected to take responsibility for their actions. Students are encouraged to
act responsibly at all times.
1. Students are expected to abide by the centre’s Code of Behaviour and all centre
Policies.
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2. Students are encouraged to work to the best of their ability at all times.
Positive Behaviour is promoted and encouraged by the staff of Roscrea Education Centre.
Positive Behaviour is encouraged in the following way:
1. A student merit system is used to encourage and reward positive behaviour - this
is recorded in the merit book and rewards are arranged on a regular basis.
2. Benefits for gaining merits:
- 25 merits will gain the student a voucher/permission for going on the next
lunch outing.
- Students with exceptional behaviour will be rewarded accordingly at the end
of each term.
Negative Behaviour
Incidents of Negative Behaviour will be recorded in the demerit book and dealt with in
accordance with Code of Behaviour.
(For a full list of merits/demerits which is utilised to guide and reinforce positive student
behaviour, please see Appendix 1)
Incident Reports
All accidents/serious incidents will be recorded and discussed at the Resource Team
meetings. Incident Reports (written by staff) should be recorded on the official Incident
Report document. Incident reports for students are held in their file (see Appendix 2).
Sanctions for Inappropriate Behaviour
Sanctions are used as corrective actions in helping a student take responsibility. The
purpose of sanctions is to promote positive student behaviour and a safe atmosphere which
is based on the principle of mutual respect for all.
Roscrea Education Centre currently employs a Merits & Demerits system to
encourage and reinforce positive student behaviour.
If a student gets 5 or more demerits in a week, he/she is on report the
following week.
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On Report:
A student will be placed On Report after receiving 5 demerits. When a student is placed
on report, each teacher must sign this report sheet at the end of each class: This form
records student’s behaviour, attitude and class room participation/work.
It is the student’s responsibility to mind this report card carefully and return it
completed at the end of the day to the post box located outside the coordinators
office.
Friday afternoon’s pay is a reward for good behaviour – a student who
received 5 demerits during the week, forfeits that privilege.
A total of 25 demerits will result in a written warning.
If a student receives a written warning after 25 demerits, their demerits will
be cleared – this is to give the student the opportunity to “start fresh” and to
encourage future positive behaviour.
Students start on the programme on a probationary basis. Following the first
six-week period, probation will be reviewed and it may be extended for
additional six-week periods.
The purpose of probation is to assess a student’s suitability for the
programme. Suspension, warning(s – max of 3) or/and loss of place will
ensue.
After the first warning, a student will be given a two-day suspension. After a
second warning, suspension of a week will follow.
When a student on a full place has received 3 written warnings, their case
and file will be referred to the Adult Education Officer.
Serious incidents will result in immediate suspension until a decision is made
by Senior Management.
The student and parent/guardian will be invited to attend.
Gardai will be called if deemed necessary.
Suspensions may be applied, where deemed necessary, by the Coordinator of
Roscrea Education Centre in consultation with the resource staff.
The purpose is to give time for reflection on serious misbehaviour and to
emphasise the need for positive behaviour.
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Suspensions will be recorded by the coordinator.
The student, and where appropriate the Parents/Guardians, will be informed
of the suspension and the grounds that gave rise to the suspension.
In cases where the suspension is to take effect immediately, such as in the
interests of health and safety, parents/guardians will be informed by
telephone first, and in writing subsequently.
Upon completion of a suspension, the Parents/Guardians may be requested
to attend with the student upon his/her return to the centre.
A written apology may be required from the student for his/her behaviour.
The student may be required to enter into a contract of good behaviour or
other conditions that may be specified by the Coordinator before returning to
participation in centre activities.
Grievance Procedure
A student may feel that a staff member or the coordinator is not treating him/her fairly in
accordance with the Code of Behaviour. The following grievance procedure may be
followed:
First step
Student and tutor try to resolve the matter.
Second step
If necessary, the coordinator could be asked by either party to discuss the matter. The
coordinator will investigate and consider the matter appropriately. The student will get the
opportunity to write down their version of events. The teacher must write up an Incident
Report.
Third step
If necessary, the coordinator will consult with the Resource team/Adult Education Officer or
both before making a decision on the matter.
If the complaint is against the coordinator:
1. Student and coordinator should try to resolve the matter satisfactorily.
2. If this fails, the student can complain to the Resource team.
3. Should this not resolve the matter, the student may refer the matter in formal
written format to the Adult Education officer.
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Notes:
1. This policy is compliant with relevant sections of the:
Education Act 1998
Education Welfare Act 2000
Equal Status Act 2000
Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004
Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007
Ombudsman for Children Act 2002
Disability Act 2005
Non-Fatal offences against the Person Act 1997
Age of Majority Act 1985
Data protection Acts, 1988 and 2003
2. Students over 18 years may request Roscrea Education Centre to limit the information their
parents/guardians receive – in the event of this, Roscrea Education Centre will inform the
parents/guardians of this limitation:
Age of Majority Act, 1985
3. Allegations of a criminal matter will be referred to the Gardaí. 4.
Review This policy will be reviewed periodically. Drafted October 2015
Reviewed February 2017
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Appendix 1: Code of Behaviour (Merits / Demerits) Respect, Safety and Cooperation are the most important guidelines for behaviour in the centre.
Merits Students who do not get any demerits during a week, get 5 merits pro rata to attendance per week.
Merits can also be earned through acts of kindness. Merits earn students privileges: 25 merits will gain the student a voucher/permission for going on the next lunch outing. Students with exceptional behaviour will be rewarded accordingly at the end of each term.
Demerits The following behaviours would warrant 1 demerit: 1. Late for class 2. Chewing gum 3. Not following instructions 4. Bad language 5. Disruptive behaviour 6. Breech of pool table rules 7. Refusing to participate/do assigned work
The following behaviours would warrant 2 demerits: 8. Verbal abuse towards staff or students 9. Leaving class without permission 10. Inappropriate physical contact 11. Inappropriate innuendo 12. Adhering to break time arrangements
The following actions would warrant at least 3 demerits: 13. Smoking a ‘rollie’ or a pipe 14. Threatening and physically aggressive behaviour 15. Unnecessary setting off fire alarm
16. Opening fire escape door/misusing the fire escape 17. Serious breaches relating to Health and Safety 18. Leaving the premises without permission 19. Smoking/vaping in a non-designated area 20. Smoking/vaping between classes
Physical violence, other serious misbehaviour and bullying will be dealt with directly by the centre coordinator and will be sanctioned separately from the demerit system.
Merits cannot be traded against demerits. Merits and demerits are recorded in a Merit/Demerit book. If a student gets 5 demerits in a week, he/she is on report the following week. Twenty-five demerits warrant a written warning. If a student receives a written warning after 25 demerits, all demerits will be cleared – this is
to provide the opportunity to change behaviour and to encourage future positive behaviour Merits will earn student privileges. A merit/demerit listing will be displayed on the coordinator’s door, updated each Monday. Suspensions are at the coordinator’s discretion in consultation with Resource staff.
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Appendix 2
Incident Report Private and Confidential
In contemplation of litigation
Written by: Withnessed by:
Date & Time of Incident
Student / Students involved
Signed: _______________________ Date: _______________
Príomh Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin: Fionuala McGeever
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Roscrea Education Centre Old Dublin Road
Roscrea
Co. Tipperary
0505-22481 [email protected]
__________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 3: Suspension Form
Name of Student: _____________________________
Reason for suspension
Date of Suspension
Duration of Suspension
Return date
Apology:
Signed: ______________________ Date: __________________
Príomh Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin: Fionuala McGeever