Regular attendance makes a significant difference to a child’s progress in school and we would ask that you support us by encouraging this. Wherever possible, absence during term time should be avoided and this is particularly important in the time immediately preceding external examinations. We would not expect, for example, requests for absence during the Spring Term in Year 11. If an absence is unavoidable, requests in writing should be submitted to the Headteacher.
If your child is too unwell to attend school, we would ask that you inform the School on the day of absence and confirm this with a note in the Student’s planner on their return. If the School does not hear from you after 3 days, you will be sent a text, voice message or e-mail by an automated system known as Groupcall.
If at all possible, it is also helpful if you can avoid medical appointments during school time.
Arrival at school on time also contributes to establishing the right attitude towards work and we would ask for your support in enabling your child to be punctual. Students should be in their tutor rooms at 8.35 am and in their classes at 1.25 pm. If students’ late arrival at school or lessons totals 20 minutes or more a week, they will have to undertake a lunch time detention.
The School has a detailed Behaviour Policy that is available on request. The key aims are listed below.
The fundamental purpose of St Sampson’s High School is to enable every student to learn. Good behaviour makes the school a safe and well-ordered environment where effective teaching and learning are possible. Teachers have the right to teach; students have the right to learn.
The Policy sets out the expected behaviour both in lessons and around the school and categorises unacceptable behaviour according to the levels of seriousness. This is what your child may be talking about if he or she refers to a Level 1 etc.
In order to reinforce appropriate behaviour there is a system of rewards, details of which are found further on in the prospectus, and a system of sanctions. These are scaled according to the gravity of the offence. For serious offences, 1 hour after-school detentions from 2.55 to 3.55 are imposed and internal exclusions are used for more serious offences when a student is taken off timetable and works under staff supervision in the Internal Exclusion Room for a given period of time. Exclusions from school are used for the most serious offences which include swearing at or gross verbal abuse of staff; threatening staff; refusing to accept the discipline of the School; theft of school property; use of technology to abuse or humiliate staff including taking photographs or videos without staff permission; serious assault of students; persistent and serious bullying; endangering the health & safety of others; possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs; bringing offensive or potentially dangerous items to school such as knives, BB guns, or laser pens; or any other offences deemed to be very serious by the Headteacher.
