Parent Code of Conduct

1. Home
2. For Parents
3. Parent Code of Conduct

Our Expectations:

We expect parents, carers and other visitors to: Respect the ethos, vision and values of our school Work together with staff in the best interests of our pupils Treat all members of the school community with respect – setting a good example with speech and behaviour Seek a peaceful solution to all issues Correct their own child’s behaviour (or those in their care), particularly in public, where it could lead to conflict, aggression or unsafe conduct Approach the right member of school staff in a reasonable manner and using the correct tone to help resolve any issues of concern.

Behaviour That Will Not Be Tolerated:

• Disrupting, or threatening to disrupt, school operations (including events on the school grounds and sports team matches)
• Swearing, or using offensive language
• Displaying a temper, or shouting at members of staff, pupils or other parents
• Threatening another member of the school community, regardless of whether or not the behaviour constitutes a criminal offence Open display of disrespect to any member of staff orgovernor
• Sending abusive messages to another member of the school community, including via text, email or social media
• Defamatory, offensive or derogatory comments in communications, either verbal or written (including emails, text/voicemail/phone messages or written communication) to a member of staff of the school community
• Posting defamatory, offensive or derogatory comments about the school, its staff or any member of its community, on social media platforms. In the event that any community member is found to be posting libellous or defamatory comments on social media sites, the will be reported to the appropriate ‘report abuse’ section of the social media network site. Where a pupil/student has posted comments, it is the responsibility of the parents or legal guardians to ensure this content is removed.
• Use of equipment to record conversations with members of staff and governors
• Use of physical punishment against your child while on school premises.
• Such behaviour is likely to put a child at risk of harm or constitute a safeguarding breach, which will lead to immediate action by the school.
• Any aggressive behaviour or tones (including verbally or in writing) towards another child or adult. Such approaches may be seen as an assault and my have legal consequences.
• Disciplining another person’s child – please bring any behaviour incidents to a member of staff’s attention
• Smoking or drinking alcohol on the school premises (unless alcohol has been allowed at a specific event)
• Possessing or taking drugs (including legal highs)
• Bringing dogs onto the school premises (other than guide dogs)
• Damage or destruction of school property; and
• Dropping litter on school premises

Breeching This Code of Conduct

Whilst we recognise that behaviour is often driven by emotion, and whilst this may explain an incident/response/or reaction in the first instance, it will not excuse breaches of the policy. Therefore, if the school suspects, or becomes aware, that a parent has breached the code of conduct, the school will gather information from those involved and speak to the parent about the incident.

Depending on the nature of the incident, the school may then:

• Send a warning letter to the parent Invite the parent into school to meet with a senior member of staff or the headteacher Contact the appropriate authorities (in cases of criminal behaviour)
• Seek advice from our legal team regarding further action (in cases of conduct that may be libellous or slanderous)
• Ban the parent from the school site

School staff will end any telephone call if they feel the caller is being aggressive, intimidating, abusive or offensive. The person taking the call is empowered to make this decision. The caller will be advised that their behaviour and/or language is unacceptable and the call will be ended if it continues. There may be rare occasions when the staff member is unable to give a warning that the call will be ended if the caller’s unacceptable behaviour/language continues, in which case they are empowered to end the call immediately.

The school will not process any correspondence (email/letter) that is abusive. If communications of this nature are received we will tell the correspondent that their communication is considered to be inappropriate and offensive. The correspondent will be asked to stop corresponding in this way and state that if they do not stop, the school will not respond to any further communication from them.

The school may also consider requiring all future contact to be made through a designated third party.

The school will always respond to an incident in a proportional way.

The headteacher will consult their executive strategic lead before banning a parent from the school site.

The executive strategic lead will report to Education Steering Board on all school banning orders, thus providing for an oversight, accountability and learning process.