Parent Code of Conduct

Mission Statement

At our Academy, children and adults flourish by being part of a positive, happy, caring and safe community which sees challenge as a doorway to discovery, persistence as an opportunity for growth and success as going confidently in the direction of our dreams.

 This Parent code of Conduct sets forth the expected behaviours of parents/guardians and visitors when on Academy property or when engaging with Academy personnel. This Code of Conduct is established to ensure a positive working relationship between the Academy, parents/guardians, and the general community.

As a parent, you play a formative role in the development of your child’s sense of justice, equity, and the dignity and worth of all members of our school community. You also act as one of the most influential role-models within your child’s life. As the onus for promoting and upholding these core values of our school community must fall on all those with the greatest capacity to reason and control their actions, it is the expectation of the community that all parents model acceptable behaviour at all times within the Academy setting.

If a member of staff suspects an adult to be suffering impairment under the influence of alcohol, or any other substance when collecting a child from school, or for any reason feels that the child may be at risk if they leave with this adult then they will follow the school safeguarding procedures which may involve:

• asking the adult to leave the premises
• calling another responsible adult to collect the child
• calling the police

We would, in all circumstances, like to avoid these actions so please assist our staff by modelling exemplary standards of conduct at all times on Academy premises.

Intimidation has no place within our community and as such will not be tolerated. This is as true for adult-to-adult interaction as it is for child-to-child. All interactions between members of our community must be in keeping with the values espoused by the Academy through its Mission Statement and Academy policies. Instances of bullying must quickly be brought to the attention of the Academy staff so that justice may be achieved for all involved in the conflict. Adults must not approach children with a view to chastising them for behaviour or issues while on school premises. All issues will be dealt with by Academy staff and in liaison with the parents involved.

Always be positive. We all have bad days and at times events occur which don’t always appear fair. However it is often the case that the injustice was not intentional, and many times not even apparent to others. Always approach these situations in a spirit of co-operation and genuine partnership. It’s amazing how easily and quickly most situations can be resolved.

Children’s perception is not the same as an adult’s due to developmental maturity. They are not lying when their story conflicts with another’s or when the teacher’s perspective doesn’t match what you have been told at home. Children see their world through their own limited experiences, which colour their perceptions. Adult perceptions are balanced with life experiences. Listen to your child as they tell you their “reality”, but remember that a different “reality” may possibly exist elsewhere.

Children act differently at home and school. When faced with an audience of their own peers often children will act/react in a way, which appears completely out of character to you, and the saying “My child wouldn’t do that” might not hold for the current situation.

Be prepared to actively listen to another’s point of view. It may be that the perspective from which the parent is approaching the situation is foreign to the other party and each may be equally of value.

It is appropriate in times of conflict that correct procedures are followed to allow all parties to be heard and for harmonious solutions to be reached. If the conflict centres around a classroom issue, the first approach should always be made with the classroom teacher. Parents may make an appointment via the school office or ask for a meeting with the teacher via the school organiser.

If a resolution is not reached then it is appropriate to involve the Principal with the aim of her assisting with such a result. Should the matter result from a situation outside of classroom matters then it is appropriate to discuss this with the Principal in the first instance. Please note, the school organiser is a working book for reflection, recording of homework and short communications with the class teacher. It is not a suitable channel for complaints. For this, please use Appendix B of the complaints procedure, available on the school website.

If parents remain dissatisfied with the result then the matter can be referred to the Board of Trustees or Directors.

Parents are welcome to interact with school using social media, however, social media and networking sites are not appropriate forums for discussion about issues involving school. The Academy takes parental complaints very seriously and deals with data in a confidential manner. We expect parents to do the same. Parents must keep any private issues they have with school confidential and out of the public view. Discussion of confidential items surrounding staff or school policy or comments which may pose a risk to the Academy reputation may result in legal action being taken.

Refusal to act in a way which is conducive to continuing positive relations and in contravention of this Code of Conduct could result in the need for the parents to reconsider the suitability of their child’s placement within our Academy.

We trust that in accepting a place at this Academy that this constitutes agreement and co-operation with all of the above.