Code of Conduct

Daily expectations of all students at DWHS.

At Dormers Wells High School, Students must:

  • Wear their ID badge visibly at all times.
  • Carry a school diary at all times.
  • Wear the correct full school uniform at all times.
  •  Attend school and lessons punctually and comply with the attendance policy.
  • Are properly equipped for all lessons.
  • Try their best in all lessons and with all home learning tasks.
  • Follow staff instructions first time.
  • Do not disturb the learning of other students.
  • Show respect and courtesy to others.
  • Behave in a safe and sensible way around the school
  • Eat and drink only in approved areas at permitted times.
  • Respect the school environment and resources.
  • Use ICT equipment and social media appropriately.
  • Understand that using racist/sexist/homophobic and other discriminatory language is unacceptable which will lead to a severe sanction.
  • Understand that if they bring a knife or weapon to school or if they are in possession of a knife or weapon in school that they could be permanently excluded.
  • Understand that hats and outdoor coats should be removed once inside the school building.
  • Understand that make-up should be discrete and nail varnish or false nails should not be worn.
  • Understand that jewellery must comply with the uniform policy.
  • Understand that hairstyles should be in accordance with the uniform policy.
  • Are not permitted to bring banned items (listed on page 9) into school/on a journey to and from school or on school trips.
  • Students understand that failure to comply will lead to an appropriate sanction.

Dormers Wells High School has very clear expectations of students. We encourage our students to participate positively in all aspects of school life. Students should have good levels of achievement, effort, attendance and punctuality. Students should conduct themselves in a respectful manner at all times. 

 

We encourage our students to value:

  • Honesty
  • Respect for the rights of others
  • Responsibility both personally and towards the community
  • Consideration and understanding towards others
  •  Co-operation and helpfulness
  • Reliability
  • Self-Discipline
attendance, punctuality and religious leave

A wealth of educational research indicates that there is a direct link between a high level of attendance at school and academic success. We desire all students to achieve the very best they can therefore it is imperative that they attend school every day and arrive on time to ensure the best start to the day. Government legislation supports the importance of good school attendance. The minimum expectation for attendance is 98%. If a student is absent from school due to illness, it is necessary for the parents or guardians to notify the school on 020 8566 6446 – option 2 or via the My Ed app.

Where possible, dental and medical appointments should be made out of school time. If the timing of the appointment is unavoidable, then the student is required to present the appointment letter or card. A green signing out slip should to be obtained before school from Student Reception. The green slip is required to be signed by the appropriate Year Leader, Deputy Year Leader or by a senior member of staff. Students should sign out at Student Reception prior to leaving the school site and sign in upon their return to school.

Should the school require to close due to an emergency or to severe weather conditions, please check the school website for guidance which will be updated daily.

All students are expected to arrive at school by 8.45am and be ready to enter their form rooms by the bell at 8.50am. Students should ensure they are appropriately prepared for the day ahead of this registration process. A student is deemed as being late for school if they are not in their registration room by 8.50am. If arriving late to school, students must sign in at Student Reception from 8.50am. A parent or guardian should explain the absence via the parental app. Late arrival disrupts the education of the student who is late and of their peers and persistent lateness to school may result in a fixed fine.

Lateness to school is sanctioned with a 15 minute detention at break time on the same day and 1 Behaviour Point (1BP). Failure to attend a detention at break time results in a no notice 30 minute detention after school on the same day. A student who fails to attend this detention will be sanctioned with Year Leader detention and 3BPs. If a student accrues two or more lates in one week, they are given 1BP in addition to the sanctions outlined above.

Dormers Wells High School acknowledges that important religious festivals may fall outside school holidays therefore students are permitted to take a maximum of two days off from school for religious leave each academic year.

equipment
  • Black or blue pen
  • Green pen, pencil
  • Eraser
  • Sharpener
  • Ruler
  • Compass
  • Highlighter pen
  • Glue stick
  • Calculator
  • School diary
  • Reading book
cashless catering 

We operate a cashless catering system. Students are encouraged to top up their lunch cards online using their personalised sQUID account details provided to students and parents. Students are permitted to top up at the top up machine located at Student Reception before school, at break time or after school.

break and lunch arrangements

At break and lunchtime, students may use and enjoy the canteen facilities, the library and the designated play areas around the school grounds.

Students are permitted to enter the building during ‘wet break/lunch’ and if they are attending a club or a supervised activity as long as they can produce an appropriate pass issued by a member of staff. During ‘wet break/lunch Years 7,8 and 9 go to the hall, Year 10 and 11 remain on the ground floor, Sixth Formers go to the Sixth Form Area or Long Gallery.

During exam periods, alternative arrangements are made and communicated to students in form time or via their class teachers.

welfare arrangements

Students may seek welfare attention at Student Reception, which is staffed throughout the school day by a first aid trained member of staff. If a student becomes unwell during a lesson, a note is obtained from the teacher to permit the student to visit Student Reception.

ict access

All students should use ICT in the appropriate way. Misuse of ICT will result in the withdrawal of ICT access and other sanctions depending on the nature of the incident.

  • Students must not access pornographic and inappropriate websites or print inappropriate / pornographic materials.
  • E mail/Websites/MLE (Frog) must not be misused to communicate in rude or threatening ways, for sending any inappropriate messages inside or outside of school or for social purposes.
  • The school has a number of CCTV cameras in operation around the school site. They are used for safeguarding pupil, staff and public safety, monitoring the security of the site and the prevention, investigation and detection of crime. Footage may be used as evidence in any internal investigations relating to the above. They are not used in changing rooms, toilet cubicles or classrooms. CCTV footage is retained as described in the data protection (and other related) policies.
mobile phones and cameras

Students’ learning, achievement and wellbeing is of utmost importance to us. In order to minimise disruption and to keep students safe, mobile phones are not permitted in school except for Sixth Form students.

Sixth Form students are permitted to use mobile phones in the Sixth Form area only. If a student is found to have a mobile phone in school, it will be confiscated and returned to a parent or carer at a time that is convenient to the Year Leader. A detention will be issued to the student also. Students are not permitted to use cameras or video cameras in a way that will impose on individual civil liberties or impinge on maintaining good behaviour and order or the good name of the school.

banned items

The safety of our students is paramount. Please find below a list of items that are prohibited to be brought into school. Serious incidents could result in an exclusion from school. Possession of a weapon, e.g. a knife is likely to lead to permanent exclusion. If a student is found in possession of any of the listed items, it will be considered a serious breach of the school rules. The relevant Year Leader or member of the Senior Leadership Team will be informed immediately.

Prohibited items:

  • Aerosols
  • Alcohol
  • BB guns
  • Catapults
  • Chewing gum
  • Electronic games
  • Fireworks
  • bangers or snaps
  • Fizzy drinks (including energy drinks)
  • Illegal drugs
  • Knives (including pocket knives),
  • blades or other dangerous items
  •  Knuckle dusters
  • Large sums of money
  •  Matches or lighters
  • Mobile phone (unless in the Sixth Form)
  • MP3 players,
  • IPads,
  • IPods or other electronic devices
  • Pornographic material
  • Stink bombs or itching powder
  • Stolen items
  • Swiss army knives or blades
  • Tobacco,
  • E-cigarettes,
  • Shisha pens or smoking paraphernalia
  • Any further item that could be construed as a weapon
  • Any other valuable items