Our Approach to Behaviour and Expectations
At our school we believe that maintaining very high expectations of our students and their behaviour is vital in allowing us to set the conditions necessary for them to make excellent academic achievement and progress. Our vision compels us to ensure that our students attend school able to learn without disruption and achieve their fullest possible potential.
We also believe that these high expectations are the decisive element in supporting a safe and mutually respectful community within which our students can learn and develop and our staff can work.
Our Behaviour Leadership Policy is built upon a foundation of clear routines, systems, and boundaries applied consistently across the school by staff at all levels. We believe that part of our educational duty to students is to show them how to behave through effective leadership in readiness for them to thrive in their adult lives and a dynamic 21st century environment. It is our assessment that this approach will work for the vast majority of our pupils and support a safe and happy community.
Whilst having very clear structures and systems to support robust behaviour leadership at TPSH, we also recognise the importance of a relational approach when supporting students to meet our expectations. We recognise that in some circumstances an element of nuanced judgement is required to ensure that we as a school do not alienate ourselves from those who often need the most support.
A Joined-Up Approach
At TPSH, we have three core values that apply to all stakeholders within our community, including students, staff, parents, governors and visitors.
Responsibility
Respect
Resilience
Within our policies, we outline how stakeholders can support our students to meet their fullest possible potential in line with these values. We strongly believe that they support a mutually respectful and purposeful working environment for all.
In short, this policy outlines the Responsibility that is incumbent on us all.
Mobile Phones
Our approach to mobile phones is designed to minimise distractions, support safeguarding and help students make the most of their time at school.
📵 Mobile Phones at School
Our policy is that students do not carry their mobile phone during the school day, under any circumstances, with the exception of sixth formers.
Whilst we appreciate that mobile phones have the potential to act as useful educational tools, we believe it is in the best interests of students that they do not carry them in school. As well as potentially providing an unwelcome distraction to learning, we have a safeguarding duty to our young people.
📞 Communication with Home
Should your child need to communicate a message home, we have an extensive pastoral support team who will help with this.
We are happy to phone and/or email throughout the day or after school hours. Students should seek out a relevant member of staff before school, during break or lunchtime and after school. The member of staff will use their professional judgment in terms of whether a telephone call home is appropriate.
🔐 Phone Storage
Should you wish for your child to carry a mobile phone while they travel to and from school, the school will support this by securely storing their phone during the day.
Students should bring their phone to the Café for collection before registration, placing it in a named bag for easy identification. Phones can then be collected at 15:30 from the Café.
⚠️ If a Phone Is Found During the School Day
If a student is found with a phone in their possession during the school day, it will be confiscated and kept in a secure location until a parent or other adult comes to school to collect it.
Consequence: A C2 will be issued to the student, resulting in a one-hour detention after school.
In line with the school Searching, Screening and Confiscation Policy, when a mobile phone has been confiscated the school has the authority to examine any data or files on the device where there are concerns that an offence has been committed. The school does not need the permission of the student or parent to conduct this search of the mobile phone.
🛡️ Safe Use of Phones
With the increasing usage and popularity of mobile phones, it is worth noting a few points of safety. We spend time in school educating students in appropriate use of their phones and e-safety. However, unfortunately we are also aware of some serious and potentially dangerous misuse.
We urge parents to monitor the use of their child’s phone, ensuring they are using age-appropriate apps and websites and remembering that social media profiles are not legal for those under the age of 13.
We are also aware that a number of students use their phones, unmonitored, late into the night. This not only potentially exposes them to further inappropriate material, but can result in tired and over-stimulated learners.
Please contact the school to discuss any concerns you have regarding the safe use of phones.
