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Roscrea Education Centre Old Dublin Road, Roscrea, E53 P797, Co. Tipperary

0505-22481 youthreachroscrea@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/RoscreaEducationCentre/

__________________________________________________________________________________

Code of Behaviour

Discipline Procedure

Grievance Procedure

Príomh Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin: Fionuala McGeever

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Mission Statement

Our Mission is to facilitate Further Education Opportunities for the people of Roscrea and its wider

community, in a safe and nurturing environment of mutual respect and trust.

Rationale

The purpose of Roscrea Education Centre’s Code of Behaviour is to give practical guidelines

to promote positive behaviour that is based on mutual respect and self-discipline. It also

aims to nurture behaviour that will enable students to:

- participate in the world of work,

- progress and encourage student’s learning,

- encourage active citizenship and to

- manage adult life successfully.

Policy Aims

1. To provide a safe and welcoming environment.

2. To facilitate the orderly and safe running of the Centre.

3. To facilitate teaching and learning by positive, constructive and fair means.

4. To promote positive student behaviour, student self-discipline and student/teacher

interaction.

5. To enable students to understand the consequences of misbehaviour.

6. To ensure Roscrea Education Centre deals fairly and consistently with incidents of

misbehaviour.

7. To help the students, parents/guardians, staff to understand the disciplinary and

grievance procedures of the centre.

Expectations of Students, Parents/Guardians and Staff

Roscrea Education Centre aims to promote high standards of honesty, courtesy and mutual

respect. These values form the basis of all relationships within the Centre.

Fairness is a priority for all staff in their dealings with students and parents/guardians.

Parents/guardians have a responsibility to actively support the staff of the centre in the fair

application of the Code of Behaviour. Students are expected to be respectful and to

participate in a positive manner in centre activities and their own education. Parents are

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encouraged to involve themselves in positive participation with Roscrea Education Centre in

order to develop and maintain links between the home and Roscrea Education Centre.

Support Systems for Students:

Roscrea Education Centre currently provides the following support systems for students

A dedicated staff that is committed to the care and teaching of students1.

Access to a centre Counsellor for students.

An Advocate is available for students to assist them with C.V. / Interview skills, Work

experience and Guidance.

The facilitation of guest speakers on educational topics where and as appropriate.

Rights and Responsibilities of Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff

Rights of Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff

o The right to respect

o The right to safety

o The right to learn and work in a positive and suitable atmosphere where effective education and training takes place

o The right to express needs/grievances – students have the right to help when they are experiencing difficulties.

Responsibilities of Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff o Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff have a

responsibility to show and treat other people with the respect that they would expect to receive

o Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff have a responsibility to ensure their own safety & the safety of others - Physical/Threatening/Intimidating behaviour is not acceptable at any time

o Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff have a responsibility for their own commitment to learning in a positive atmosphere

o Students/Parents/Guardians/Staff have a responsibility to discuss matters which may affect them in order to avail of possible assistance.

The Staff of Roscrea Education Centre are also bound by the Teaching Council and Tipperary ETB’s policies and procedures.

1 The following policies are utilised in order to assist staff in the care and teaching of students

Child Protection Policy

Anti-bullying policy

Smoking policy

Drugs policy

Internet Policy

SPHE/RSE policy

Literacy Policy

Visitor’s Policy

Mobile Phone/Audio listening devices Policy

Healthy Eating Policy

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Respect for Property

The Code of Behaviour for Roscrea Education Centre promotes respect for the property of

Centre and Tipperary ETB. Students, Parents/Guardians, Staff must at all times take good

care of their own property and the property of Roscrea Education Centre and Tipperary ETB.

Punctuality

Students must be punctual at all times. The centre working day begins at 09.00 am unless

otherwise informed by the Centre management.

Attendance

Full attendance is expected at all times from students. (See attendance policy)

Students must sign in/sign out in electronic format and paper format.

In the event of a medical absence, a doctor’s note is required explaining the absence. A

Doctor’s note is also required to ensure that a student is in healthy condition to attend the

centre after an illness/absence.

Attendance will also be recorded for each class by the subject teacher.

Attendance is monitored and prolonged absences (a week or more) will be followed up by

the staff. It is therefore important that students inform the coordinator as soon as possible

of any difficulties in attendance that may arise.

Work Experience

The Guidance counsellor/Advocate monitor Work Experience placements and attendance.

Time sheets must be in by before lunch time on Mondays.

Illness/medical conditions

If a student has any medical condition, they should immediately inform the Centre

Coordinator of such conditions – this must be accompanied by a signed doctor’s note. Sick

certs must be given into the office before lunch on the Monday following an absence.

Medical conditions which may cause a safety risk will be recorded for safety of student

concerned and for safety of rest of the centre community. Relevant actions will be taken if

required.

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Appearance

Students must wear clothing which is appropriate to their learning environment / the

workplace.

Hoodies (hood up) should not be worn while in class / on work experience.

Only items of small jewellery are allowed. Jewellery with potential health and safety

risks are not allowed, e.g. large hoops/rings.

Long hair must be tied back for Health and Safety purposes, especially in practical

classes (e.g. woodwork and catering). Kitchen safety clothing need to be worn when

required.

Students must wear footwear and clothing appropriate to the learning environment.,

especially in practical classes.

Students are expected to be mindful of personal hygiene.

Health and Safety

Students, Parents/Guardians, Teachers/Staff are expected to comply with the health and

safety rules of the centre (refer to Health and Safety Policy of the Centre).

Students are not allowed to leave the class room without permission.

It is each student’s responsibility to attend every class as per time table and on time.

In practical classes, students must never operate/use equipment without a qualified

teacher present.

Students are not allowed to leave the centre without permission from the

coordinator/acting coordinator. During lunch time (if student has parental

permission/is over 18) student must sign out with the teacher on supervision duty.

Procedures for guiding Behaviour within Roscrea Education Centre

Everybody in the centre is expected to abide by the mission statement of the centre.

Students are expected to take responsibility for their actions. Students are encouraged to

act responsibly at all times.

1. Students are expected to abide by the centre’s Code of Behaviour and all centre

Policies.

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2. Students are encouraged to work to the best of their ability at all times.

Positive Behaviour is promoted and encouraged by the staff of Roscrea Education Centre.

Positive Behaviour is encouraged in the following way:

1. A student merit system is used to encourage and reward positive behaviour - this

is recorded in the merit book and rewards are arranged on a regular basis.

2. Benefits for gaining merits:

- 25 merits will gain the student a voucher/permission for going on the next

lunch outing.

- Students with exceptional behaviour will be rewarded accordingly at the end

of each term.

Negative Behaviour

Incidents of Negative Behaviour will be recorded in the demerit book and dealt with in

accordance with Code of Behaviour.

(For a full list of merits/demerits which is utilised to guide and reinforce positive student

behaviour, please see Appendix 1)

Incident Reports

All accidents/serious incidents will be recorded and discussed at the Resource Team

meetings. Incident Reports (written by staff) should be recorded on the official Incident

Report document. Incident reports for students are held in their file (see Appendix 2).

Sanctions for Inappropriate Behaviour

Sanctions are used as corrective actions in helping a student take responsibility. The

purpose of sanctions is to promote positive student behaviour and a safe atmosphere which

is based on the principle of mutual respect for all.

Roscrea Education Centre currently employs a Merits & Demerits system to

encourage and reinforce positive student behaviour.

If a student gets 5 or more demerits in a week, he/she is on report the

following week.

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On Report:

A student will be placed On Report after receiving 5 demerits. When a student is placed

on report, each teacher must sign this report sheet at the end of each class: This form

records student’s behaviour, attitude and class room participation/work.

It is the student’s responsibility to mind this report card carefully and return it

completed at the end of the day to the post box located outside the coordinators

office.

Friday afternoon’s pay is a reward for good behaviour – a student who

received 5 demerits during the week, forfeits that privilege.

A total of 25 demerits will result in a written warning.

If a student receives a written warning after 25 demerits, their demerits will

be cleared – this is to give the student the opportunity to “start fresh” and to

encourage future positive behaviour.

Students start on the programme on a probationary basis. Following the first

six-week period, probation will be reviewed and it may be extended for

additional six-week periods.

The purpose of probation is to assess a student’s suitability for the

programme. Suspension, warning(s – max of 3) or/and loss of place will

ensue.

After the first warning, a student will be given a two-day suspension. After a

second warning, suspension of a week will follow.

When a student on a full place has received 3 written warnings, their case

and file will be referred to the Adult Education Officer.

Serious incidents will result in immediate suspension until a decision is made

by Senior Management.

The student and parent/guardian will be invited to attend.

Gardai will be called if deemed necessary.

Suspensions may be applied, where deemed necessary, by the Coordinator of

Roscrea Education Centre in consultation with the resource staff.

The purpose is to give time for reflection on serious misbehaviour and to

emphasise the need for positive behaviour.

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Suspensions will be recorded by the coordinator.

The student, and where appropriate the Parents/Guardians, will be informed

of the suspension and the grounds that gave rise to the suspension.

In cases where the suspension is to take effect immediately, such as in the

interests of health and safety, parents/guardians will be informed by

telephone first, and in writing subsequently.

Upon completion of a suspension, the Parents/Guardians may be requested

to attend with the student upon his/her return to the centre.

A written apology may be required from the student for his/her behaviour.

The student may be required to enter into a contract of good behaviour or

other conditions that may be specified by the Coordinator before returning to

participation in centre activities.

Grievance Procedure

A student may feel that a staff member or the coordinator is not treating him/her fairly in

accordance with the Code of Behaviour. The following grievance procedure may be

followed:

First step

Student and tutor try to resolve the matter.

Second step

If necessary, the coordinator could be asked by either party to discuss the matter. The

coordinator will investigate and consider the matter appropriately. The student will get the

opportunity to write down their version of events. The teacher must write up an Incident

Report.

Third step

If necessary, the coordinator will consult with the Resource team/Adult Education Officer or

both before making a decision on the matter.

If the complaint is against the coordinator:

1. Student and coordinator should try to resolve the matter satisfactorily.

2. If this fails, the student can complain to the Resource team.

3. Should this not resolve the matter, the student may refer the matter in formal

written format to the Adult Education officer.

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Notes:

1. This policy is compliant with relevant sections of the:

Education Act 1998

Education Welfare Act 2000

Equal Status Act 2000

Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004

Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007

Ombudsman for Children Act 2002

Disability Act 2005

Non-Fatal offences against the Person Act 1997

Age of Majority Act 1985

Data protection Acts, 1988 and 2003

2. Students over 18 years may request Roscrea Education Centre to limit the information their

parents/guardians receive – in the event of this, Roscrea Education Centre will inform the

parents/guardians of this limitation:

Age of Majority Act, 1985

3. Allegations of a criminal matter will be referred to the Gardaí. 4.

Review This policy will be reviewed periodically. Drafted October 2015

Reviewed February 2017

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Appendix 1: Code of Behaviour (Merits / Demerits) Respect, Safety and Cooperation are the most important guidelines for behaviour in the centre.

Merits Students who do not get any demerits during a week, get 5 merits pro rata to attendance per week.

Merits can also be earned through acts of kindness. Merits earn students privileges: 25 merits will gain the student a voucher/permission for going on the next lunch outing. Students with exceptional behaviour will be rewarded accordingly at the end of each term.

Demerits The following behaviours would warrant 1 demerit: 1. Late for class 2. Chewing gum 3. Not following instructions 4. Bad language 5. Disruptive behaviour 6. Breech of pool table rules 7. Refusing to participate/do assigned work

The following behaviours would warrant 2 demerits: 8. Verbal abuse towards staff or students 9. Leaving class without permission 10. Inappropriate physical contact 11. Inappropriate innuendo 12. Adhering to break time arrangements

The following actions would warrant at least 3 demerits: 13. Smoking a ‘rollie’ or a pipe 14. Threatening and physically aggressive behaviour 15. Unnecessary setting off fire alarm

16. Opening fire escape door/misusing the fire escape 17. Serious breaches relating to Health and Safety 18. Leaving the premises without permission 19. Smoking/vaping in a non-designated area 20. Smoking/vaping between classes

Physical violence, other serious misbehaviour and bullying will be dealt with directly by the centre coordinator and will be sanctioned separately from the demerit system.

Merits cannot be traded against demerits. Merits and demerits are recorded in a Merit/Demerit book. If a student gets 5 demerits in a week, he/she is on report the following week. Twenty-five demerits warrant a written warning. If a student receives a written warning after 25 demerits, all demerits will be cleared – this is

to provide the opportunity to change behaviour and to encourage future positive behaviour Merits will earn student privileges. A merit/demerit listing will be displayed on the coordinator’s door, updated each Monday. Suspensions are at the coordinator’s discretion in consultation with Resource staff.

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Appendix 2

Incident Report Private and Confidential

In contemplation of litigation

Written by: Withnessed by:

Date & Time of Incident

Student / Students involved

Signed: _______________________ Date: _______________

Príomh Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin: Fionuala McGeever

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Roscrea Education Centre Old Dublin Road

Roscrea

Co. Tipperary

0505-22481 youthreachroscrea@gmail.com

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Appendix 3: Suspension Form

Name of Student: _____________________________

Reason for suspension

Date of Suspension

Duration of Suspension

Return date

Apology:

Signed: ______________________ Date: __________________

Príomh Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin: Fionuala McGeever