Policies
ABC school policies: Introduction
The policies shown below are 'implementation' policies. They describe in detail the approach we take to key issues. In some cases, different policies are followed in the Primary and Secondary Schools to reflect the age-related requirements and the structure of the education provided at different stages of a child's development.
At the time of writing (April 2023) we are undertaking a first-principles review to all our policies, to ensure they are congruent with our values, the reality of our school context, and are fit for purpose in practical terms. The policies shown below are those that have already been through this process.
List of policies
What is a 'policy'?
The meaning of a 'policy' varies from organisation to organisation.
At the ABC we interpret policy' to mean guidance on the parameters of our work. They describe the ways that students, parents, staff and all members of our community can expect to be treated. They describe what we always do, and what we never do. They describe the way things should happen in terms of the broad principles that guide our actions. They provide a compass, helping us to navigate individual situations while remaining true to our values.
Policies are not procedural documents. Procedures may change from moment to moment depending on the changing circumstances. Procedures that staff must follow are laid out in the various staff handbooks, which provide detailed guidance for teachers, assistants, coaches and others to follow. For example, the explosion of artificial intelligence apps in early 2023 required us to look at our procedures around cheating and plagiarism, but did not necessitate a change in our academic integrity honesty because our expectation remains that students produce their own work in an honesty and transparent manner.