School Rules/Rheolau'r Ysgol

Attendance and Punctuality

Bryntirion Comprehensive School is committed to ensuring a full and inclusive education to all pupils and embraces the concept of equal opportunities for all in which attendance is a priority.

We will provide an environment where all pupils feel valued and welcomed and are committed to the fundamental principle that early intervention and partnership working is crucial in ensuring the attendance, safeguarding and wellbeing of all children and young people.

Good attendance has a high profile throughout the school as we recognise that poor attendance disadvantages children.  We will consistently work towards a goal of 100% attendance and aim to ensure that the students in our school attend regularly and on time, and where this is not the case, staff follow a graduated response designed to encourage consistent attendance and punctuality.  We ask all parents to set the highest of expectations for attendance.  At Bryntirion we strive for all our students to achieve 96% attendance or higher.

Absence from School/Absenoldebau

Parents and carers should notify the school of their child’s absence by 9am on the first day of occurrence.  Absence should be reported via ClassCharts where possible. If the school does not receive an absence notification via ClassCharts or a phone call from parents by 9am, parents will be contacted by our automated attendance text message system to explain the absence.  The school will contact parents if there is concern about an unexplained absence and parents are encouraged to contact us if they have any such concerns.

Regular attendance at school is essential if pupils are to succeed and fulfil their potential. Bryntirion Comprehensive School employs a whole school approach towards attendance with Subject Leaders, Form Tutors, Attendance Administrators, Heads of Years, Assistant Headteacher and the Education Welfare Service fully involved in monitoring pupil attendance.

All schools throughout Bridgend County Borough will promote the importance of school attendance and punctuality as part of a BCBC ‘Miss School, Miss Out!’ project.  Schools will participate in a range of activities with a focus on improving attendance and punctuality.  Where learners are not in school with an unexplained absence parents may receive a visit from partner agencies, including Early Help and the Education Welfare Service.

Illness at School/Salwch yn yr Ysgol

Any pupil feeling unwell at school should report to a member of staff, who will then refer him/her to the Duty Officer.  Every effort is made to look after the pupil in school whenever possible and if it is deemed to be necessary, parents or persons nominated by them, are contacted.  Pupils should not contact a parent directly using their mobile phone, they must see a member of staff.  Pupils may not leave the school premises without permission.  Parents are also asked to inform the school of any serious or recurring medical problems.

A pupil’s attitude and performance in school can be affected by factors other than illness, e.g. a family upset or change in family circumstances.  It would be helpful if the Head of Year or a senior member of staff could be informed, in confidence, of such factors.

Home School Agreement

Pupils and parents are requested to sign the Home-School Agreement on entry to the school.  The content of the Home-School Agreement is published in the School Admission Form. The Home-School Agreement is intended to develop the positive aspects and benefits of links         between the school, parents and pupils.

ICT Services Acceptable Use Policy for Pupils

All pupils are required to read and sign the ICT Acceptable Use Policy/Agreement.

• Pupils are requested to sign the agreement on entry to the school via the School Admission Form.

Hair and General Appearance/Gwallt a Golwg Cyffredinol

Parents are expected to encourage pupils to observe acceptable standards in dress and appearance.  Hair should be a sensible length, style and colour.  Vision must not be impeded by hair.  Make-up must not be worn in school, and neither should hair cosmetics be used, especially in the Science Laboratories and Technology Workshops. 

Jewellery/Gemwaith

The only jewellery which may be worn in school is one small plain stud in the lobe of each ear.  Pupils are not allowed to wear any other form of body jewellery in the interests of their own health and safety.  

Forbidden Items/Eitemau Gwaharddedig

In the interest of safety and well-being of pupils, the following items must not be brought to school:-  skateboards, radios, iPods, games, chewing gum, smoking material, felt pens, aerosols, knives, screwdrivers, pliers, laser pointing devices and other potentially legally banned substances. 

Mobile Phones/Ffonau Symudol

It is strongly recommended that mobile phones be left at home. The school cannot accept responsibility for the loss or damage to such equipment.

• Mobile devices/phones must not be seen or heard in any lesson at anytime (zero tolerance). They must be switched to silent and stored in school bags.
• Mobile phones are permitted to be used appropriately at break and lunch times to access school-based electronic platforms (e.g. TEAMS, ClassCharts etc.).
•  Headphones are not be to seen at anytime during the school day.

Valuables/Eitemau Gwerthfawr

It should be clearly understood that all items of personal property are brought on to the school premises at the owner’s risk.  The school cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred and no claims for reimbursement for any losses sustained will be entertained. 

Outline of the School Rules/Amlinelliad o Reolau'r Ysgol

1. Pupils must not engage in any action, inside or outside school, in or out of school hours, which might bring the name of Bryntirion Comprehensive School into disrepute.  Sensible and considerate behaviour is essential at all times including travelling to and from school. 

2. Pupils must arrive in school between 8.35 - 8.40 a.m. in the morning.  If late for registration pupils must report to the school office to get a late mark. 

3. Pupils must not leave the premises during the morning or afternoon session without permission.  Permission should be obtained from a Head of Year immediately before or during morning registration.  Requests for leave of absence are also dealt with at these times.  Explanatory notes from parents or appointment cards are necessary. 

4. Pupils are to be correctly dressed in school uniform during school hours.  For reasons of security and safety jewellery must be removed for P.E. and Games.  The only jewellery allowed is a plain stud in each ear.  No facial jewellery or any form of body jewellery is allowed.  Make-up is not to be used.  Hair should be a sensible length, style and colour and must not impede vision.  Hair lacquer, gel and chemicals which colour the hair should not be used by pupils for Health & Safety reasons in the school. 

5. In the interest of health and safety pupils must not bring the following items on to the school premises:-  skateboards, knives, matches, lighters, cigarettes, other legally banned substances, radios, i-Pods, games, chewing gum, felt pens, aerosols, screw-drivers, pliers, laser pointing devices and any potentially dangerous articles or materials. 

6. On returning to school after an absence, pupils are expected to bring a dated absence note explaining the reason for absence and written by a parent.  When a pupil is away for more than five days, a note should be sent or posted to school.  Unexplained absences of more than five days will be automatically checked by the Education Welfare Officer.  The whole school target for attendance is 97%. 

7. Pupils should take to every lesson a bag containing a pen, notebook, pencil, ruler and the appropriate books.  Exercise books and text books are provided by the school.  Pupils are expected to take care of them by covering them, not removing any pages and by not defacing them in any way.  Books loaned to pupils must be returned at the appropriate time.

The need for sensible and considerate behaviour leads to the following simple rules:- 

1. General Behaviour: 

• Pupils must walk briskly and quietly, in single file, keeping to the left.
• Pupils must help to keep rooms, corridors and the school clear of litter by using the bins    provided.
• Pupils must respect school property - do not damage or deface school property.
• Pupils must not interfere with electrical appliances, apparatus in workshops and laboratories, fire appliances or machinery of any kind.
• Teaching rooms are not to be used unless there is a member of staff present.
• Cycling or the use of skateboards in the school grounds is forbidden. 

1. Classroom Behaviour:

• Pupils must arrive punctually for lessons.
• Pupils must line up outside a classroom until told to enter.  Under no circumstances are pupils to be in the swimming pool, sports hall, laboratories or craft rooms unless the appropriate member of staff is present.
• Pupils are expected to be attentive in class, to take an active part in the lesson and not to indulge in disruptive behaviour of any kind.  

1. Areas Out of Bounds:

• Car park, except for designated users.
• Youth Wing, except for Years 12 and 13.
• Other areas of the school at the discretion of the Headteacher.
• School grounds and buildings after 3.15 p.m. unless supervised by a member of staff.
• Private properties bordering the school grounds.  

1. Student Car Parking on School Premises:

• Sixth Form students are not permitted to park on the school premises

'Be Bryntirion'

Ensuring we have the culture, support and provision needed to enable everyone to feel safe and secure in our school. Our aim is to further develop our systems to promote positive behaviour through appropriate support, sanctions and rewards. Developing the character and values of students through ’Be Bryntirion’.

BE BRYNTIRION

CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT