An Education for Life
The purpose of Caterham School is to provide an education for life in a
Christian environment as the finest co-educational school in the South East
of England.
Caterham strives to develop the whole person: in body, mind and spirit. It
achieves this by sustaining an environment in which students can realise
their potential. The maintenance of good discipline is of paramount
importance for the growth, welfare and development of pupils. We believe
that pupils should be given clear expectations, effective pastoral support
and opportunities to build good social relationships.
At Caterham we try to ensure that our insistence on high standards is based
on the following principles:
- It is built on the foundation of mutual respect;
- It focuses on commending good behaviour rather than merely drawing attention
to the bad;
- It is consistent and fair;
- It affirms the pupils’ value whilst acknowledging inappropriate
behaviour;
- It builds rather than crushes;
- It encourages individuality rather than dull conformity.
Such discipline is an essential ingredient of effective pastoral care.
These aims are backed up by a system of rewards and, where necessary, appropriate
sanctions.
School Policies and Standards
The school exists for the benefit of its pupils. All pupils, staff,
parents and others associated with the school are required to work together
in a spirit of co-operation and understanding. Pupils are actively
encouraged to fulfil their potential academically, in sport, music or drama
or any of the other school activities. Pupils are expected to relate
well and to behave considerately towards others. We live in a society
where social skills are vital to our well being, and learning to interact
with others is therefore a critical part of education. Pupils are reminded
of the importance of respecting others, whether inside or outside school. Selfish
actions are therefore to be discouraged, whether these actions are of a minor
nature (e.g. dropping litter or pushing in the lunch queue) or of a major
nature (e.g. fighting, bullying, vandalism or theft).
It is the duty of all associated with the school to have high expectations
and to strive to uphold our reputation.
- The specific rules of the school are dictated by common sense and are
published in the School Code. In addition, we have well-defined policies
towards particular areas of behaviour. The following guidelines are
not exhaustive. Sanctions will be at a level that reflects the severity
of the offence, the possible influence on others and the maturity of the
pupil.
The school places the highest possible premium on three broad values:
1) Respect for Others
This is fundamental to all that goes on at Caterham. Any actions,
words or attitudes which show a lack of respect for others will be taken
very seriously. In particular:
- Disruption: Which shows a lack of respect for
both the teacher and other pupils will be dealt with firmly.
- Relationships: Public displays of intimacy are
not acceptable within the school as they can be embarrassing and draw unnecessary
attention to those involved. Pupils engaging in sexual activity
on school premises can expect to be expelled.
- Bullying: We seek to nurture a culture in which
all pupils are valued as people. Any instances of bullying will be
dealt with firmly and sensitively. Anyone who continues to bully
will have their membership of the school community reviewed by the Headmaster.
2) Respect for Property
We are concerned to engender a culture in which the property of others is
respected by all. Pupils should do all they can to minimise the possibility
of theft and vandalism by not bringing valuables or significant amounts of
money to school. If it is ever necessary to do so, they should be
handed into the Tutor for safe-keeping. All clothing and equipment
should be clearly marked and care should be taken to lock away valuable equipment.
Chewing Gum: Chewing gum is not permitted in school. Pupils
who do chew gum can expect to be placed in detention and fined £5 as
a contribution to cleaning.
Theft: Those pupils who steal must expect to be either
suspended or expelled.
- Vandalism: Any damage (which includes graffiti)
to someone else’s property be it a fellow pupil’s, a teacher’s
or the school’s property will be taken very seriously. Not
only will the damage have to be paid for, but a vandal must expect to be
suspended or expelled.
3) Respect for Self
As a school we want all our pupils to have respect for themselves. In
consequence we strongly disapprove of:
Smoking: Sanctions for those who offend will, in
the first instance, be of a deterrent nature and for repeated offences the
school reserves the right to suspend pupils concerned.
Alcohol: In inexperienced hands alcohol is far more
immediately dangerous than tobacco. Sanctions against those who have
possession of, or who use, alcohol in school would include suspension.
- Drugs: Drug or solvent abuse (including the possession
of illegal drugs) will be regarded very seriously. The severity of
the offence is of paramount importance, particularly in regard to its possible
influence on others. We will act strongly and any pupil involved in illegal
drugs when he/she is under the school’s authority can expect to be
expelled from the school and the police will be informed.
THE SCHOOL CODE
All members of the school should be familiar with the School’s Policies
and Standards in which guidelines on Disruption, Relationships, Bullying,
Theft, Vandalism, Smoking, Drinking and Drug Abuse are outlined. In
addition, the following are specified as a practical expression for others,
and are intended to make life easier for everyone.
- Be polite to all members of the school community and to visitors to the
school.
- Move about the school in a quiet and orderly manner and walk, not
run, in corridors and on staircases, and keep to the left.
- Make every effort
to keep the premises and locality tidy. Litter
must not be dropped in the grounds, buildings or on the way to and from
school.
- Make yourself aware of the bounds of the school. No pupil
may go outside the boundary of the school, during the school day, without
the permission of their Year Head or Head of Lower School for members of
1st and 2nd Years. They
must sign out in the School Office, and sign in again when they return
to the school. School prefects are permitted to leave the school
premises without permission but must sign in and out in the usual way.
- Ensure that all clothing, sports kit and personal possessions must be
clearly marked with your name. You are responsible for securing your sports
kit.
- Use only your allocated locker and be responsible for making it secure. Under
no circumstances are you to use or tamper with anyone else's locker.
- Wear
your school uniform (as specified in the uniform regulations) smartly each
day, including on the journey to and from school. You may not
go home in your sports kit before 5:30pm.
- Remember that food provided in
the Refectory should be eaten there and not removed elsewhere. Food and drink should be consumed only in
the Year Areas or designated play areas. Food and drink should not
be carried around the corridors and through-routes of the school and should
not be consumed outside the front of the school. The chewing of
gum is not permitted.
- Pupils in 1st – 5th Years must not bring personal
music players to school and must keep mobile phones in lockers from 8.30am
to 4.00pm. Pupils in the 6th Form may bring these items to school but may
only use them in the 6th Form Centre.
- Arrive promptly in school for the
formal start of the day at 8.30am.
- If you have permission to drive a car
to school a permit should be displayed at all times. Permission to drive a car to school may be granted
to members of the Upper Sixth by the Deputy Head upon written request from
the parents. You may not be driven by another pupil without the written
consent of parents of both parties.
- Use the front door only if you
are a school prefect or are accompanied by staff or a parent. At the end of the school day you must be collected
from the driveway at the front of school. You must not wait in Harestone
Valley Road to be collected nor on the pavement immediately in front of
the main door.
Please remember that your behaviour out of school reflects on us all. Show
courtesy to others, for instance by making way on the pavement. Avoid
eating, drinking, noisiness or thoughtless behaviour in public. Wear
your uniform properly and with pride.
THE CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT
We have the right to learn
This means that everybody should:
» arrive on time
» listen to instructions
» bring the proper equipment
» not disrupt lessons
» not interfere with the work of others
» not interrupt when others are speaking
» work quietly
» do his or her homework
We all have the right to be treated fairly
This means that everybody should:
» be considerate
» not make racist or sexist comments
» not swear or name call
» respect each others belongings
» not fight or bully
We all have the right to work in a clean and attractive environment
This means that everybody should:
» not drop litter
» not chew in the classroom
» not vandalise
» wear the correct uniform
We all have the right to be safe.
This means that everybody should:
» use equipment properly
» not run or push
» not act dangerously
THE CLASSROOM CODE
All students must/will:
- arrive on time and organise yourselves in the classroom in an appropriate
manner (i.e. no running or rushing for particular desks/seats).
- arrive with all textbooks, exercise books and other equipment that is
relevant and expected.
- listen carefully to instructions.
- complete all tasks that the teacher has set in an orderly and appropriate
way. The instructions for the activity must always be followed carefully.
- listen in silence and be attentive whenever the teacher is instructing/explaining/talking. The
school will not tolerate any interruption of the teacher.
- listen in silence and be attentive whenever a fellow pupil has been asked
to contribute/make an observation/explain something. We will all
follow common courtesy and listen to each other.
- seek the teacher’s permission to contribute to class discussion
by raising his/her hand.
- complete all homework by the given date. No late work will be accepted
unless an acceptable explanation has been given to the teacher or where
previous arrangements have been made.
- note that swearing will not be tolerated.
- ensure that all classrooms must be left neat and tidy at the end of every
lesson. All classes will need to check the state of the room at the
end of each lesson.
- note that no eating, drinking (other than water) or
chewing gum will be allowed in class.
- arrive and leave the class dressed as per the school uniform code.
Standard Terms & Conditions 2008 – 2009