Behaviour and Attendance
Student Code of Conduct
To view The Bridge Academy Student Code of Conduct click here
Behaviour for Learning
In order to ensure that our students gain the knowledge and develop the skills and behaviours they need to be successful later in life, we work with them to develop the following six Learning Habits, and we ask all staff to actively promote and model these.
Zero Disruption
Successful students never disrupt their own or others' learning. We expect there to be zero disruption in lessons, meaning that teachers can teach and students can learn. We know that when there is zero disruption in lessons, all students can make the maximum progress towards fulfilling their potential.
Deadlines and Equipment
Students who wish to be successful complete revision on time and meet all their deadlines; completing this work outside of lessons is very important to ensure the retention of key knowledge. Students who wish to succeed bring the right equipment to the Academy, for the right lessons, each day. We wish to develop our students' organisational skills for success in future life. For any important role in life, we need the right equipment and students need to make sure they provide it.
On-Task Behaviour
Students who wish to succeed are always on-task in every lesson and behave in a purposeful manner outside of lessons. Sometimes, it will be hard work for students to remain on task but we will remind them that they learn best when they are concentrating.
Punctuality & Attendance
Students who wish to succeed always attend and are on time. We are trusting that students will arrive at the Academy by 8:20 am each day so that they are ready for the day's learning. Students are expected to attend school every day of the Academy year. Anything less than 96% is not good enough and the Academy would expect this only to be the case for students with serious medical issues.
No Answering Back
We know that students who wish to succeed do not answer back and trust that teachers' instructions are to help them be successful. We know it is important that students learn self-discipline. If an adult tells a student to do something, we expect students to trust staff and never question an adult's decision anywhere in the Academy.
Perfect Uniform
Students who wish to succeed wear perfect uniform. It is important that our students contribute to our Academy's common routines. It is important all members of our Academy are treated fairly.
ATTENDANCE
YOUR CHILD WILL BE KEPT INFORMED OF THEIR ATTENDANCE GROUP ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
If your child’s attendance falls below 93% you may be required to attend a meeting at the Academy to discuss this.
It is important that parents/carers monitor single day’s absence, as these days soon add up to weeks.
If you are concerned about the ‘Focus on Attendance’, there are important steps that you can take:
- Ensure the Academy has up to date addresses and telephone numbers. We will contact you by text through the automated system if your child is absent and you have not contacted the Academy. This ensures that truancy is quickly identified.
- If your child is ill, contact the Academy on the first day of absence and provide an explanatory note on their return to the Academy.
- If no contact is received regarding the absence, it is recorded as unauthorised. Ultimately the Academy is responsible for deciding if the absence is acceptable or not. Only genuine absence will be authorised. You will be asked to provide medical certificates if your child has a poor attendance record.
- Ensure that medical appointments are made outside of Academy time.
- Holidays should not be taken in Academy time. Any Leave of Absence can only be agreed by the Headteacher and only exceptional circumstances will be considered.
- Please respond to Academy letters or telephone calls regarding attendance and punctuality.
- Contact your child’s tutor or Director of Learning if you are experiencing difficulty in getting your child into the Academy.
Thank you for working in partnership with us to achieve the highest possible levels of attendance and punctuality at The Bridge Academy.
Rewards and Recognition
For more details on Rewards and Recognition click here
BULLYING
ANTI-BULLYING
In line with the Academy's core value of Kindness, we operate a zero-tolerance approach to bullying.
Bullying is defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim. We will encourage students to tell us about incidents that happen inside and outside the Academy and take steps to address the situation so that it is tackled promptly.
THE MAIN TYPES OF BULLYING CAN BE:
- Physical (hitting, kicking, theft).
- Verbal (name-calling, racial remarks).
- Indirect (spreading rumours, excluding someone from social groups).
- Cyberbullying (social network, texting).
Students who have been bullied will be supported by:
- Being offered an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience with a form tutor, or member of staff of their choice.
- Being reassured.
- Being offered continuous support and/or a programme of confidence and self-esteem building.
- Having the Academy work with them to restore their confidence and self-esteem.
I am very much aware that bullying is dealt with effectively at Bridge – I was really impressed by how seriously it was taken.
PARENT OF YEAR 8 CHILD