Policies
Code of conduct for our school community members
All members of the school community – staff members, students, parents and volunteers – are included in this Code of Conduct, whether they are on school property; on buses during an educational outing or at school-authorized events or activities.
All members of the community are to be treated with respect and dignity and are expected to use non-violent means to resolve conflicts.
The School Principal provides the leadership by:
- Demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence and a safe and orderly teaching and learning environment.
- Holding everyone accountable for his/her behaviour and actions.
- Communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of the school community.
Staff Members maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of behaviour. As role models, staff upholds these high standards when they:
- Help and encourage students to work to their academic potential while developing their self-worth.
- Communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents.
- Set a positive tone in the school by maintaining consistent standards of behaviour and language for all students in their classroom and the whole school.
- Treat students and their concerns in a consistent, fair and courteous manner.
- Demonstrate respect for all students, other staff members and parents.
Students must demonstrate respect for themselves, their peers and for those in authority. In turn students are treated with respect and dignity. Responsibilities demonstrated by students are:
- To develops their self-regulation skills and demonstrates courtesy through their language and actions toward all members of the school community.
- To resolves interpersonal conflicts and difficulties through discussions with the other person or through seeking assistance from staff members.
- To come to school regularly, arrive on time and prepared for the day, with all equipment they need and a positive attitude.
- Expected to attend all the scheduled lessons.
- Expected to complete homework assignments on time and to the best of their ability.
- If for any reason a student is unable to attend class, parents should notify the school. All students are expected to catch up with the work missed during absence.
- School property and the property of other students or teachers should be treated with respect and care. Any object damaged by irresponsible use must be replaced by the person responsible for the damage.
- Refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others (e.g., alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons, chemicals, objects which may be used as weapons).
- Follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his or her own actions.
- Students are required to follow the School Dress Code. Accordingly, school uniform is compulsory and students should be in proper uniform at school and at all school premises, unless told otherwise. Should it not be possible for the student to wear the uniform, a note must be sent from home and given to the class teacher at the start of the day.
- If a student arrives late or wants to leave the school early, parents / guardians must inform the school, by sending an email to the Principal’s Assistant for the respective Key Stage or write a note in the Channel Book.
- Cell phone conversation or usage of electronic gadgets for games in the class is strictly forbidden.
- The use of mobile phones, laptops, personal music players etc. is allowed in case a specific permission is given by the teacher. Inappropriate use can result in confiscation.
Parents play an important role in the education of their children and have a responsibility to support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents fulfil this responsibility when they:
- Show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress.
- Provide a suitable environment for regular homework and ensure that their child completes school assignments and prepares for the next day’s work.
- Communicate regularly with the school.
- Attempt to attend school events and meetings and give constructive input and support to school.
- Ensure their child to be clean, appropriately dressed and prepared for school.
- Ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time.
- Promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival.
- Encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour and language.
- Support and assist school members in dealing with disciplinary issues.
Complaints Policy
1. Purpose
RISE’s goal is to encourage positive relationships between all stakeholders in the school community as students benefit when the relationship between home and school is a positive one. Therefore, from time to time, issues may arise that parents may wish to raise with the school. RISE will treat such complaints seriously, carrying out an investigation and reporting back within a reasonable time frame.
This policy aims at providing a framework intended to facilitate this process and ensure positive outcomes and the resolution of particular problems.
Positive, mutually respectful communication constitutes a cornerstone of the school’s community. As such, all stakeholders are expected to uphold high standards of communication in a way that does not disrespect and/or cause distress to another member of the community.
All teachers, administrators and TC members are aware of this protocol and operate within it.
Parents and prospective parents are provided with this procedure via the Student-Parent Handbooks and the school’s website.
2. Complaints Procedures
At RISE we believe that there should be frequent two- way communication between home and school so that issues may be dealt with before they affect the child’s progress. We encourage active and ongoing communication with parents to welcome any views, ideas, suggestions and/or concerns.
Accordingly, we have provided several channels of communication to make this possible. Depending on the matter, kindly find below, the procedures to follow:
2.1Â Â Â Â Stage 1 – Informal Resolution
2.1.1Â Â Â It is hoped that most complaints or concerns can be resolved quickly and informally. At all times, staff will listen carefully and patiently to you. In doing so they will recognise that the issue is of concern to the parent or pupil.
2.1.2   If parents have a complaint they should, in the first instance, normally contact their daughter’s/son’s class/subject teacher. It is the School’s policy to aim to respond to the verbal complaint within two working days although it is possible that investigating and resolving the issue may not be possible within this timeframe.
Daily communication can be made directly with the pupil’s teacher via the Communication Booklet or email.
However, this booklet/email is not the place to carry out a difficult conversation. Please keep in mind that the students also have access to them. Therefore, a face-to-face meeting is usually the best way to deal with any difficulties.
Most matters of concern can be dealt with in this way. All teachers work very hard to ensure that each child is happy at school and making good progress.
2.1.3   In many cases the matter will be resolved straightaway to the parents’ satisfaction. If the teacher cannot resolve the matter alone, it may be necessary for him/her to consult the relevant Head of Year/Head of Key Stage/Assistant Head/Deputy Head or Principal.
2.1.4Â Â Â If parents have a complaint about a member of staff they should, in the first instance, approach the Head of Department/Subject Coordinator if it relates to an academic matter or the relevant Head of Year/Key Stage Coordinator if it relates to a personal matter. If the concern/complaint is about one of the latter then contact should be made with the Head of Primary School or Senior School.
Concerns of a Safeguarding nature should be referred directly to the School Principal.
2.1.5Â Â Â Complaints made directly to a School Principal will usually be referred to the relevant staff member unless s/he deems it appropriate to deal with the matter personally.
2.1.6Â Â Â The Class teacher will make a written record of all concerns and complaints and the date on which they were received. This will be passed to the respective Principal. Should the matter not be resolved within seven working days, or in the event that the teacher and the parent fail to reach a satisfactory resolution, then parents will be advised to proceed with their complaint in writing in accordance with Stage 2 of this procedure.
2.2Â Â Â Â Stage 2 – Formal Complaint ResolutionÂ
2.2.1Â Â Â If the complaint cannot be resolved on an informal basis, then the parents should put their complaint in writing to the relevant Principal, using the Formal School Complaint Form (Appendix 1). The Principal will decide, after considering the complaint, the appropriate course of action to take. At this stage, the complaint will be officially registered, in addition to further written records being made.
2.2.2Â Â Â In most cases, the Principal will meet the parents concerned, normally within seven working days from receiving the complaint, to discuss the matter. If possible, a resolution will be reached at this stage. It may be necessary, however, for the Principal to carry out further investigations.
2.2.3Â Â Â The Principal will keep written records of all meetings and interviews held in relation to the complaint.
2.2.4Â Â Â Once the Principal is satisfied, a decision will be made and parents will be informed
of this decision and the reasons for his/her decision.
2.2.5Â Â Â In the unlikely event that parents are not satisfied with the decision, it can be referred to the Director – Stage 3.
2.3 Â Â Â Â Stage 3 – Referral to the Director
2.3.1Â Â Â If the complaint cannot be resolved under Stages 1 and 2, then the parents should put their complaint in writing to the Director (using the Formal School Complaint form).
2.3.2Â Â Â The Director will decide, after consulting with the relevant Principal, the appropriate course of action to take.
2.3.3Â Â Â In most cases the Director will meet the parents concerned, normally within seven working days of receiving the complaint, to discuss the matter. If possible, a resolution will be reached at this stage.
2.3.4Â Â Â The Director will keep written records of all meetings and interviews held in relation to the complaint.
2.3.5Â Â Â Once the Director is satisfied that and relevant facts have been established, a
decision will be made and parents will be informed of this decision.
Parents can be assured that all concerns and complaints will be treated seriously and confidentially. Correspondence, statements and records will be kept confidential.Â
Parental Complaints Procedures Flow Chart
Health and Safety Policy
1. Purpose
RISE acknowledges and accepts that the health, safety and welfare of all students, staff, parents and service providers as being of paramount importance. In order to deliver best in class health and safety standards, the school has developed a robust and compliant health and safety management system, defining clear roles and responsibilities for all the stakeholders, starting from the Senior Leadership Team, teachers, students, visitors, head of health and safety operations and continuing with the school doctor and science lab technician.
Here are the duties of the main stakeholders of the school who play an important role in keeping our pupils safe during the school day.
The School Principal will:
- Make sure that all teaching staff and students are fully aware of and comply with all health and safety policies and procedures.
- Consult with staff as necessary on matters of health and safety which may affect them at work.
- Demonstrate commitment to the management of health and safety by: → Setting a good example to others;
→ Promoting good practice;
→ Identifying health and safety problems and rectifying them if possible;
→ Challenging poor health and safety performance or attitudes;
→ Communicating regularly about health and safety;
→ Understanding and owning the plans in place for health and safety as part of the overall school planning process, monitoring progress in these areas and advising planners of the results or any deficiencies;
Heads of Departments and Lead Teachers will:
- Safeguard the protection of their staff and pupils within their work area by ensuring staff receive necessary training and supervision.
- Be responsible for the safety of equipment, materials and systems of work by setting up arrangements for regular inspection.
- Make arrangements for cover of staff with key safety responsibilities.
- Monitor health and safety practice in science throughout the school.
Classroom Teachers will:
- Look after all children’s safety under their charge by effectively supervising their activities.
- Carry out emergency procedures in respect of fire, emergency evacuation, security, first aid.
- Observe all safety procedures and instructions.
All Students will:
- Comply with school rules and procedures.
- Take reasonable care of themselves and others.
- Co-operate with their teachers and other school staff.
- Not misuse anything provided for the purposes of health and safety.
- Report anything they believe to be hazardous or dangerous to their Teacher/ Head of Key Stage/ School Principal/ School Director or any other adult that is near.
Visitors will:
- Report to Reception where a signing-in system is in operation.
- Regular visitors and other users of the premises, for example, contractors and delivery persons, are required to observe the safety rules of the school.
- Contractors working within the school premises will be made aware of the health and safety arrangements applicable to them by the Premises Manager.
- Visitors should wear a suitable visitors badge when on the premises.
Apart from defining the obligations of each one involved in the safety across the school, various other aspects of health and safety have been taken into consideration and are stated in the policy:
- Accidents and incidents reporting;
- Administration of medicines;
- Control of hazardous substances;
- Safety in relation to the school facilities;
- Fire safety and evacuation of the building;
- First aid provision;
- Equipment manual handling;
- Safety related to the playground equipment;
- Risk assessment;
- Student safeguarding;
- Student supervision;
- Transport safety;
- Violence at work;
- Working at heights;
The current policy is to be updated regularly and all our staff trained on it. Every single person who has health and safety responsibilities must be aware of what the policy states and, in case they need it, should be able to act accordingly.
School Uniform Policy
1. Introduction
It is our policy that all children should wear school uniform when attending school or when participating in a school-organised event outside regular school hours, unless otherwise announced by the school administration. RISE School Director, academic Director, Head of Key Stages, teachers and supervisors will ensure the implementation of the school uniform policy. Our students will be expected to adhere to this policy starting the first school day. P.E. uniform should be worn only on days with the scheduled P.E. classes.
We provide a complete list of the items needed for school uniform on our school website and in the Student – Parent Handbook.
2. Aims and Objectives
Our policy is based on the notion that a school uniform:
- Promotes a sense of pride in the school
- Generates a feeling of community and belonging
- Is practical and smart
- Identifies the children with the school
- Is not distracting in class (as fashion clothes might be)
- Makes children feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance
- Is regarded as suitable and good value for money, by most parents
- Has been designed with health and safety in mind
3. Jewellery and Accessories
On health and safety grounds, we do not allow children to wear jewellery and accessories at school. The exception to this rule are earring studs in pierced ears. We ask the children to either remove these items during PE sessions and games or to cover them with a plaster. Discretion for small objects of religious significance will be discussed with the Head Teacher / Academic Director on an individual basis.
4. Extreme Haircuts
The school does not permit students to have haircuts that could serve as a distraction to themselves or others, e.g. Mohawk Style, un-natural hair colours/dyes, shaved patterns, beads and coloured braids.
5. Footwear
The school wants all children to grow into healthy adults. We believe that it is dangerous for children to wear shoes with platform soles or high heels in school, therefore we do not allow this. Neither do we allow children to wear trainers in school; these are appropriate for sports or leisurewear, but are not in keeping with the smart appearance of a school uniform. We require all children to wear the type of footwear described in the uniform list (See Appendix A).
6. Parents’ role
6.1. We expect all parents and guardians who send their children to RISE to support our school uniform policy. We believe that parents have a duty to send their children to school correctly dressed and ready for their daily schoolwork. Parents/guardians should ensure that the child has the correct uniform and that it is clean and in good repair. Parents should send a Uniform Letter if their child’s uniform is incorrect.
6.2. If any parent would like the school to modify the Uniform Policy, they should make representation, in the first instance, to the Head Teacher / Academic Director. The school welcomes children from all backgrounds and faith communities. If there are serious reasons, for example religious concerns, if parents want their child to wear clothes that differ from the school uniform, the school will look sympathetically at such requests.
7. Governors’ role
The Governing Body supports the Head Teacher / Academic Director in implementing the School Uniform Policy. It considers all representations from parents regarding this policy and liaises with the Head Teacher/ Academic Director to ensure that the policy is implemented fairly and with sensitivity.
8. Monitoring and reviewing
8.1 When monitoring this policy through its committee work, the Governing Body will:
- Seek the views of parents to be sure that they agree with the policy and support it
- Consider if the School Principal has any requests from parents for individual children to
have special dispensations. - Require the Head Teacher /Academic Director to report to the Governors on the way the policy is being implemented.
8.2 This policy will be reviewed by the Governing Body every two years or earlier if considered necessary.
Summary
Not Allowed Items for Girls
- Tight fitted/skinny or low waist clothing.
- Dirty or ripped uniform.
- Denim/ jeans.
- Colourful hairband/ head scarfs.
- Multiple ear piercings and dangly earrings (one stud is permitted).
- Facial piercing.
- Makeup and traces of makeup.
- Nail Polish.
- Jewellery/ accessories such as Chokers, bracelets, ring (only a wristwatch is permitted).
- Extreme hairdos/Hair Colour.
- Sneakers such as Nike, Adidas, Converse ONLY if they are black or white.
- Tattoos or Hennah – if they have any, they MUST be covered.
Not Allowed Items for Boys
- Tight/skinny, extra baggy or low waist clothing.
- Dirty or ripped uniform.
- Denim/ jeans.
- Extreme hairdos, hair colour or long hair.
- Piercing.
- Accessories, such as bands, bracelets, ring (only a wristwatch is permitted).
- Sneakers such as Nike, Adidas are ONLY allowed during normal school days if they are black or white.
- Tattoos.
Allowed School Shoes for Girls / Boys
- Black or white shoes for normal school days (without any flashy colors).
- P.E. shoes should not have any flashy colors.
Allowed Bags
- Students are advised to use an age/size appropriate school bag.
- They can use either trolley, backpacks or cross bags
