Behaviour Policy

This policy is based on the expectations we have of all members of the school community.  Since we very much value the open and constructive staff / pupil relationship which exists at Channing we prefer not to have 'school rules'.  All members of the community, however, are made aware of the behaviour that is expected and the sanctions that may have to be imposed in the rare occurrence of misdemeanours.  

Our policy aims to develop every pupil's full potential within a welcoming and inclusive community where respect for one another, kindness, good manners and consideration are highly valued in the spirit of the Unitarian tradition.  To help us achieve our aims we require all pupils and staff to follow our Code of Positive Behaviour or Golden Rules.  All staff insist upon high standards of behaviour both within the classroom and around the school, on formal occasions and on any school visit outside it.  

We reward girls for their effort, academic performance, good citizenship and behaviour and sporting, musical and other extra-curricular achievements, by praise within the classroom and commendations for good work and by whole-school recognition.  Girls may be commended for written, oral or practical work that is of a particularly high quality or is a result of outstanding personal effort.  Exceptional work or effort may be referred to the Headmistress for consideration for a Headmistress’ Commendation

Recording of achievements is made in the school magazine, the website, Channing Times, Headmistress' letters to parents, posting of news cuttings on notice boards, listing of girls' academic awards on display boards and mention of achievements in assemblies, Mark Reading and on Founders’ Day.  The Stanley Shield and the Merritt Cup are awarded for all-round service to the school.  Academic and Music prizes are awarded at the end of the Summer Term and Full and Half Colours are given for sport.  ‘Channing Awards’ are given to those who make a particularly positive contribution to the community.

Girls are encouraged to develop self-discipline in their work and behaviour.  Where this fails, there is a range of sanctions to meet the variety of situations, which can arise.  Sanctions will always be imposed in a way that is equitable and non-discriminatory and in proportion to the offence.

Where necessary, we correct poor behaviour, poor standards of work and poor time keeping by disapproval or rebuke or referral by a member of staff to Head of Department or Head of Section. Lunch-time detentions or withdrawal of privileges may also be used.  Sometimes a girl may be placed 'on report' because of behavioural problems and girls may be excluded girls from a lesson where there has been repeated poor behaviour.  Parents will always be given at least 48 hours' written notice of an after-school detention lasting about an hour.  For more serious or repeated offences, parents are contacted to discuss their daughter's behaviour and to seek their help in bringing about improved behaviour.  Strategy in such a situation is always agreed together on an individual basis.

Exclusion (either temporary or permanent), which is at the Headmistress's discretion, is the final sanction for drug offences, serious bullying and other serious offences.  Corporal punishment is prohibited.  Teachers may use ‘physical intervention’ to avert an immediate danger of personal injury to a person (including the child).

The implementation of our policy will be monitored each term by members of SMT and an evaluation undertaken to allow us to develop and respond to the changing needs of our school.

Bullying and Intolerance Policy

Channing’s tradition as a small and essentially personal school makes us especially concerned to create a community founded upon principles of tolerance and mutual respect as outlined in Fairseat’s Golden Rules and The Channing Code of Positive Behaviour agreed by staff and girls.  We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our girls so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere.  

Bullying and intimidation is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person.   It may be said to include all acts that show deliberately cruel behaviour towards others.

Bullying can be:
Emotional        being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books)
Physical           pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
Racist              racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
Sexual             unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
Homophobic     because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality
Verbal              name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
Cyber              All areas of internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse.
      
       Mobile threats by text messaging and nuisance calls.
       Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video facilities.

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Channing.  It is the responsibility of all members of the school community to be alert to the signs of bullying, to express their disapproval of bullying and to report it to staff or parents whenever it is encountered.

As a school we take bullying seriously.  Girls and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.  Targets, onlookers and parents are encouraged to talk to staff in complete confidence and to do so at the earliest opportunity.  A target will never be identified to other girls, either explicitly or implicitly, without her permission.  Accurate written records of all incidents of bullying are kept and monitored by the school.

The PSHE programme in the school encourages girls to face their responsibilities in this matter using units of lessons on good relationships.  The concept of bullying is introduced into form discussion, assemblies and into lessons where appropriate.

It is hoped that, supported by this, members of staff, particularly Form Tutors, Heads of Section, the Deputy Head, Head of Fairseat (the Junior School) and the Headmistress, will succeed in creating an environment in which bullies (whether single or in groups, whether active or passive) are left in no doubt of the need to reconsider and to adjust their attitudes towards others.

All allegations or suspicions of bullying are treated seriously.  Every effort will be made to provide prompt, sensitive and effective support for both the target and bully.  Parents will be kept informed.  Any sanctions against the bully(ies) will be determined by the Headmistress and the Deputy or Head of Fairseat (the Junior School).  

Repeated or serious offences of this kind by particular girls are likely to lead to temporary (or, in the very last resort, even permanent) exclusion.