Code of Conduct for Parents, Carers and Visitors Policy: Creating a Safe and Respectful School Environment
This ‘Code of Conduct for Parents, Carers and Visitors’ has been adopted and agreed by the charity’s governing body. It provides a reminder to all parents, carers and visitors to our school about the conduct expected of them. It sets out both what they should aim to do, and conduct which will not be tolerated. This is so we can continue to flourish, progress and achieve in an atmosphere of mutual understanding.
This code complements the school’s formal ‘Complaints Policy’ which is designed to handle parental concerns or complaints in a sensitive and mutually supportive manner (see the school website, or contact the school office). Please also refer to the student ‘Anti Bullying Policy’ and ‘Staff and Volunteers Code of Conduct’.
Please note, we can only become involved in issues that arise in class, or during official Artemis business. We are not able to intervene with disputes that result from events that happen outside Artemis - unless they directly impact a student or staff member in class, or an extension of an issue started in class or an Artemis event. Please do make us aware of any fall outs between students though so our staff can ensure the dispute does not impact enjoyment of training while with us.
We expect parents, carers, and visitors to:
Respect the Ethos and Values: Embrace and uphold the caring ethos and values of our school and college community.
Collaborate with School Staff: Work in partnership with school and college staff for the well-being and development of their children.
Demonstrate Respect: Treat all members of the school community with respect, using appropriate language and behaviour.
Open Communication: Approach the school to resolve any concerns, fostering open and constructive communication.
Seek Resolution: Where necessary, clarify a child's account of events with the school's perspective to find peaceful solutions.
Promote Positive Behaviour: Encourage positive behaviour in your children, especially in public, to prevent conflict or aggressive behaviour. Avoid using teachers as a threat for misbehaviour.
Speak to your children about issues in a way which will not cause them further distress: Be factual and honest, do not dramatise or embellish. Younger children may struggle to rationalise events, do not expect them to have the understanding or emotional resilience of an adult.
In support of a peaceful and safe school environment, the school will not tolerate:
Disruptive or Inappropriate Behaviour: Any disruptive or inappropriate behaviour that interferes with the school's operation or activities on school premises or during school external activities.
Parental Interference: Aggressively approaching another parent or child to chastise them regarding issues between children that happen in class/during Artemis time. Such an approach to a child (in person or by phone or email) may be seen to be an assault/harassment on that child and may have legal consequences. Address problems which happen in class by contacting a staff member.
Inappropriate Language or Temper: Using loud, offensive language, or displaying temper on school premises.
Alcohol or drug use on school premises or at school events or competitions: Alcohol may be served at some external school events, or in public theatres for school shows. Parents are asked to moderate drinking so that they are still able to be responsible for their actions and not to impact the safety or enjoyment of those around them. At competitions our teams may be penalised by organisers for parents who are offensive our loud while under the influence. We may require third party support for any child who is collected by a parent who is obviously under the influence of any substance rendering them unsafe to be in charge of that child or who we suspect of operating a vehicle in which they plan to drive the child.
Threats: Threatening school staff, visitors, fellow parents/carers, or pupils in any way.
Aggression: Using physical or verbal aggression towards another adult or child, including physical punishment of your own child on school premises.
Inappropriate Behaviour: Any behaviour, verbal or otherwise, that could be considered inappropriate, offensive, or abusive.
Harassment through Communication: Sending abusive or threatening emails, text/voicemail/phone messages, or other written communications to anyone within the school community. Sending a large volume of emails where it is not needed, sending emails to teachers personal email addresses or personal phones (including message services), sending other parents unwanted emails/texts/messages which cause offence or distress, creating message groups which use offensive language, make others in the group feel threatened, or contacting other parents to form ‘us and them’ scenarios. Demanding immediate reply out of admin or office hours and then becoming abusive when that demand can not be met.
Social Media Misuse: Making defamatory, offensive, or derogatory comments regarding the school, pupils, parents, carers, or staff on social media (See Appendix below).
Property Damage: Damaging or destroying school property.
Substance Use: Smoking, taking illegal drugs, or consuming alcohol on school premises (alcohol may only be consumed during authorised events).
Unauthorised Photography: Taking photographs with phones or other devices on school premises without permission from the school.
Resolution Steps:
If issues cannot be resolved reasonably, the school may take action, including banning parents/carers/visitors from entering the school grounds, removing children from a class, and, in extreme and rare cases, involving the police or a solicitor.
Your Assistance:
We trust that parents, carers, and visitors will actively support the implementation of this policy, and we appreciate your ongoing support for the school.
Communication Awareness:
Parents and carers are requested to ensure that all individuals responsible for collecting their children are aware of this policy.
Inappropriate Use of Social Network Sites
Social media should not be used to fuel campaigns against the school, its staff, or parents. Any concerns should be raised through appropriate channels: class teacher, head teacher, or chair of governors.
Libel or Defamation:
Libellous or defamatory posts will be reported to the appropriate 'report abuse' section of the network site. Parents and students are expected to promptly remove such comments. Legal action may be taken by the Charity to protect our reputation.
Cyberbullying:
We take very seriously the issue of cyber bullying by one child or a parent to publicly humiliate another (or staff) by inappropriate social network entry. We will deal with this as a serious incident of school bullying. Thankfully such incidents are extremely rare.
Cyberbullying will be treated as a serious incident of school bullying. In severe cases, legal options may be considered to address misuse of social networking and other sites.
This policy aims to foster a positive and respectful school community where everyone can thrive.
We ask that parents and carers ensure they make all persons responsible for collecting their children aware of this policy.
Next revision December 2024