Behaviour for Learning (BFL)

Purpose

Al Diyafah High School follows a Positive Behaviour Policy, known as Behaviour for Learning (BfL). The school has a zero-tolerance policy on physical and psychological punishment.

Scope

The policy is based on clear behavioural expectations for all students and is supported with clearly defined consequences and corrective support measures. The result is a proactive, student-centered behavioural management plan that creates a safe and caring teaching and learning environment for the students and staff. The Behaviour for Learning Policy is intended to protect the welfare of our students and allows our teachers to focus on learning.

The consequence will be put in place based on the following factors:

• Seriousness of the offence
• Student's age and maturity level
• Frequency/repetitiveness of misconduct
• The effect of the misconduct on other students and staff

Positive behaviour will be encouraged and rewarded based on a careful assessment of the child's attitude, behaviour, turn-out, attendance and contribution to class activities and respect to authority.

Responsibilities and Expectations

The school expects that students will always do their best to uphold the Learning Policy of the school. All parents will agree with our BfL policy and will support and encourage their child to uphold it. The BfL policy is based on the recognition of the student as an individual and yet aims to create an environment in which the safety and welfare of all is protected.

It is the responsibility of the whole school community in implementing this policy.

General

• Student behaviour, manners and language whilst in school uniform should be appropriate and such as to bring credit to the school community.
• All students should treat all members of the school community with courtesy and respect.
• Bullying, intimidation, or any form of harassment (physical or verbal) will not be tolerated and result in severe consequences.
• Possession of prohibited items like vaping devices/e-cigarettes etc. on the school campus.
• Students should respect all school property. Vandalizing of which will lead to a severe consequence.
• This Policy will also apply to misbehavior in relation to (a) BYOD/ICT Policy (b) out-of-school activities (c) school buses (see Transport Policy) or (d) outside school while wearing the school uniform.

Behaviour and Responsible Movement on the Campus

To maintain a healthy, safe, working environment, student-conduct outside the classroom is just as important as inside.

Students should go directly to their classroom when expected. Students found loitering or who consistently arrive late for class are liable for consequences.

Examples of Levels of Misconduct and Consequence Guide

Level One

Level Two

Level Three

Note: All level three offences if repeated or of a severe nature may result in exclusion from school procedures commencing with the KHDA.

Principles for Applying Consequences

A consequence will be determined after considering:

1. The seriousness of the behaviour.
2. The student's age and maturity.
3. Whether the behaviour is a first occurrence or repeated.
4. The impact on teaching and learning.
5. The impact on other students and staff.
6. Whether there was a risk to health or safety.
7. The student's previous behaviour record.
8. Whether the student has taken responsibility and attempted to repair the harm caused.

A student may move directly to a higher level where the seriousness of the behaviour warrants it. Repeated low-level behaviour may also escalate through the levels.

Behaviour for Learning – BYOD/ICT Consequence Ladder Action Taken

• VW – Verbal Warning – Teacher
• DN – Diary Note by Teacher & inform HOY
• TT – Talk by KSH about Using Devices and Policies – KSH
• IS – Incident Slips – HOY/KSH
• TR – Temporary Removal of Device – KSH
• PI – Parent Informed – HOY/KSH
• PR – Permanent Removal of Device after Informing Parents – HOP/HOS
• VS – Very Severe Incident – Refer to Principal

Mobile Phones

Students are not permitted to bring mobile phones to school unless specific permission has been granted.

Where a student has an unavoidable reason to carry a phone:

1. The parent must email the Head of Year and Head of Key Stage.
2. The KSH will determine whether permission is appropriate.
3. The student must complete the required mobile phone form.
4. The form must be signed by the relevant school leaders.
5. The student must carry the approved documentation as required.
6. The phone must be handed to the Form Tutor during registration and collected at re-registration.
7. The phone must not be used on school premises.

Students travelling by school bus are not permitted to bring phones to school.

Breach of Mobile Phone Expectations

If a student brings a phone without permission or has permission but uses the phone, or fails to hand it in:

• The phone will be confiscated.
• The parent will be contacted.
• The phone will be returned only to the parent.

If a confiscated phone contains photographs or recordings of students, teachers or staff without permission, the matter will be escalated in accordance with the BfL behaviour ladder.

School Bus Behaviour

Student safety is the highest priority on school transport.

Students must:

• Arrive at the designated bus stop on time.
• Treat drivers, monitors and fellow students respectfully.
• Remain seated while the bus is moving and wear seat belts where provided.
• Follow the instructions of the bus monitor and driver.
• Keep the bus clean and avoid eating or littering.
• Keep electronic devices switched off and stored while the bus is moving.
• Remain at designated locations and follow boarding and exiting procedures.

Bus privileges may be suspended for:

• Persistent delays caused by the student.
• Actions that compromise passenger safety.
• Refusing to board or exiting without permission.
• Three or more documented behavioural complaints during the academic year.
• Persistent disrespectful behaviour.

Immediate bus suspension may apply to:

• Disrespectful conduct towards the driver or monitor.
• Physical harm to another person.
• Bullying / Discriminatory language.
• Recording others without permission.
• Serious or dangerous behaviour.

Failure to comply with bus expectations may result in a warning, suspension letter or immediate suspension depending on the seriousness of the incident.

Bag Checks and Prohibited Items

The school may conduct spot checks or periodic bag checks to maintain a safe and secure learning environment.

Bag checks will:

• Be conducted in accordance with school procedures.
• Respect student privacy and dignity.
• Be carried out by an appropriate inspection committee.
• Require students to empty their own bags and pockets.
• Not involve staff physically touching students or their belongings.

Examples of Prohibited Items

The following list is illustrative and not exhaustive:

• Mobile phones and unauthorised electronic gadgets.
• Makeup items and inappropriate cosmetic products.
• Chewing gum, playing cards and toys.
• Computer or electronic games.
• White ink.
• Sharp or potentially harmful objects / pen knives, paper cutters or similar items.
• Glue guns.
• Soft drinks and energy drinks.
• Junk food.
• Materials prohibited by law or considered inappropriate for the school environment.

Items prohibited by law will be treated as serious matters and progress to Level 3 immediately.

Consequences

For minor prohibited items:

• First occurrence: item confiscated and returned to the parent after the designated period.
• Repeated occurrence: item may be retained until the end of the academic year and returned to the parent.
• Serious items or serious misuse will be escalated according to the BfL behaviour levels.

Where photographs or recordings of students, teachers or staff are found on a confiscated phone, the incident will be treated as a serious breach of the BfL expectations.

Prohibited Substances and Devices

The possession, use or distribution of prohibited substances or devices, including vaping devices/e-cigarettes, is not permitted on school premises.

Such incidents will be dealt with according to the seriousness of the offence and may result in:

• Confiscation.
• Parent notification.
• Formal incident recording and report to KHDA.
• Counselling/intervention.
• Suspension.
• Loss of extracurricular or school activity privileges.
• Further disciplinary action for serious or repeated incidents.

School Property

Students are expected to respect school buildings, furniture, equipment, resources and the property of others.

Where damage is deliberate or caused through serious negligence, the school may require:

• Restorative action.
• Repair or replacement of damaged property.
• Parent involvement.
• Behaviour monitoring.
• Further disciplinary consequences according to the severity of the incident.

Deliberate vandalism will normally be treated as serious misconduct.

Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination

Bullying, intimidation, harassment or discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated.

This includes physical, verbal, social, emotional and online behaviour.

All allegations will be investigated and managed in accordance with the school's safeguarding, pastoral and behaviour procedures.

Serious or confirmed incidents may result in immediate escalation to a higher BfL level.

Parent Partnership

Parents and carers are important partners in supporting positive behaviour.

The school expects parents to:

• Support the Behaviour for Learning Policy.
• Discuss behavioural expectations with their children.
• Respond constructively to school communication.
• Attend meetings when requested.
• Work with the school on agreed behaviour-support strategies.

The school will communicate with parents when behaviour becomes persistent, serious or requires formal intervention.

Staff Responsibilities

All staff share responsibility for maintaining positive behaviour.

Staff should:

• Model respectful and professional behaviour.
• Establish clear expectations.
• Respond consistently and fairly.
• Use positive reinforcement.
• Give students opportunities to correct minor behaviour.
• Record significant incidents appropriately.
• Communicate with relevant pastoral staff.
• Escalate serious concerns promptly.
• Use restorative approaches where appropriate.

Recording and Monitoring

Behaviour incidents requiring formal intervention should be recorded on the school's ERP or through the appropriate pastoral reporting system.

Records should enable the school to identify:

• Patterns of behaviour.
• Repeated incidents.
• Students requiring additional support.
• The effectiveness of interventions.
• Behaviour trends across year groups or areas of the school.

The Pastoral Team and SLT may use behaviour information to inform targeted interventions and student support.

Review of the Policy

The Behaviour for Learning Policy will be reviewed periodically by the school leadership team to ensure that it remains clear, consistent, effective and aligned with the needs of the school community and applicable regulatory requirements.