At Wentworth an important part of our vision is the involvement of our community.  We pride ourselves on the dedicated and supportive community that we have developed, and our staff, governors, parents and carers alike all recognise that the education of our children is a partnership process between all these parties. 

 

The purpose of this policy is to provide a reminder to all parents, carers and visitors to our school about the expectations around the conduct of all parents and visitors connected with our school.  We understand that everyday frustrations can cause misunderstandings and have a negative impact on our relationships. We believe that open dialogue through the correct communication channels can allow these conflicts to be resolved and allow the school community to develop and learn in an atmosphere of mutual understanding.  Below, we have outlined the types of behaviour that will not be tolerated and sets out the actions the school can take should this code be ignored or where breaches occur.  We would urge you to share this information with any persons visiting our school site in connection with your child.

 

This code of conduct does not prevent parent/carers from raising a legitimate complaint by following the school’s complaint procedure.  In most cases we hope that all complaints and concerns can be resolved through open dialogue with class teachers or other members of staff as appropriate.

 

Behaviour that will not be tolerated:

 

• Behaviour which interferes or threatens to interfere with any of the school’s normal operation or activities anywhere on the school premises

• Using loud or offensive language or displaying temper

• Threatening in any way, a member of staff, visitor, fellow parent/carer or pupil

• Damaging or destroying school property

• Sending abusive or threatening written communications (including social media) to anyone within the school community

• Defamatory, offensive or derogatory comments regarding the school or any of the pupils/parents/staff/governors at the school on Social Media publicly or in private channels

• The use of physical, verbal or written aggression towards another adult or child. This includes physical punishment of your own child on school premises.

• Approaching someone else’s child in order to discuss or chastise them because of the actions of this child towards their own child

• Smoking, vaping, taking illegal drugs or the consumption of alcohol on school premises  (Alcohol may only be consumed during authorised events)

• Dogs being brought on to the school premises (other than guide dogs)

• The use of e-scooters or other motorised vehicles on school premises

• Illegal or inconsiderate parking around the school site

• Any other inappropriate behaviour not mentioned on the school premises

 

  

In the event of any parent/carer or visitor of the school breaking this code then proportionate actions will be taken as follows;

 

• In cases where the unacceptable behaviour is considered to be a serious and potentially criminal matter the concerns will in the first instance be referred to Kent Police. 

• In cases where there is evidence that behaviour would be tantamount to libel or slander the school will refer the matter to the school’s legal team for further action. 

• In cases where the code of conduct has been broken but the breach was not libellous, slanderous or criminal matter, then the school will send out a formal letter to the parent/carer with an invite to a meeting.

• If the parent/carer refuses to attend the meeting then the school will write to the parent/carer and ask them to stop the behaviour causing the concern and warn that if they do not they may be banned from the school premises. 

• If, after a formal meeting or non-attendance at a meeting, the behaviour continues the parent/carer will again be written to and informed that a ban is now in place.

 

 

Issues of conduct with the use of Social Media

 

The unofficial social media channels used in our school community are very helpful in sharing information and we encourage you to join these and positively participate if you wish.  They can, however, be very destructive when parents make comments that are critical of members of the school community. Within these online spaces however we ask that you use common sense when discussing school life online, and follow the important rule of “Think before you post”.

 

We ask that social media, whether public or private, should not be used to fuel campaigns and voice complaints against the school, school staff, parents or pupils.  We take very seriously inappropriate use of social media by a parent to publicly criticise the school or another parent, pupil or member of staff.

 

If parents have any concerns about their child in relation to the school as we have said above they should:

 

1. Initially contact the class teacher

2. If the concern remains they should contact the head teacher

3. If still unresolved, the school governors through the complaints procedure

  

Online activity which we consider inappropriate:

 

1. Identifying or posting images/videos of pupils without seeking the consent of parents / carers

2. Abusive or personal comments about staff, pupils or other parents

3. Bringing the school into disrepute

4. Posting defamatory or libellous comments

5. Using social media to publicly challenge school policies or discuss issues about individual children

 

At our school we take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and will deal with any reported incidents appropriately in line with the actions outlined above.