ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

Please refer to this document regarding our Secondary School Discipline Process

Decisions about appropriate reactions to disciplinary matters are taken by different people or groups of people depending on the nature of the problem and the nature of the possible reaction. The following list is not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive.

Discipline is not the responsibility of the Administration alone – all those who are part of the LGB community, whether enrolled or employed, in whatever capacity have a role to play, including senior students in setting a good example. They may also be involved as ‘peer counsellors’.

For any particular incident, any adult member of the school community has a responsibility to react at the time. This includes teachers, librarians, secretarial and support staff, bus drivers, student supervisors etc. Students should expect to be told their behaviour is unacceptable or antisocial by anyone who sees it as such. Any necessary follow-up is usually done by a mentor or Year Head.

The following points should be borne in mind:

• Problems with a student are usually solved more effectively by the member of staff directly involved.

• Issues are often best addressed and resolved on an informal level.

• Parents should be kept informed and their help enlisted as valuable and effective allies.

• Mentors (and, through them, Year Heads) should be informed of any problems sooner rather than later.

• Heads of Department may also be able to help if the problem is a classroom/academic one.

It is important not to rush to the top of the disciplinary ladder too quickly except in exceptional cases, and to progress through the usual stages - individual teacher, Head of Department where appropriate, mentor, Head of Year, Assistant Principal, Principal. This may also enable a clearer perspective of the matter to be achieved before a choice of sanction is made.

The School will also work with outside agencies (eg Service de la Santé de la Jeunesse, Service de la Protection de la Jeunesse and the Police) where appropriate. See Child Protection Policy

Exclusion from an event will be decided by those most involved with the student and those responsible for the event. For example a trip organiser will discuss with a tutor and perhaps an Assistant Principal if a particular student should not go on the trip due to unreliable behaviour.

Exclusion from a course due (for example) to repeated disruptive behaviour will be discussed by the teacher, perhaps the Head of Department, the mentor and an Assistant Principal or the Principal.

Exclusion from an external exam will be discussed by the Year Head, the IB Coordinator, the Head of Guidance and an Assistant Principal or Principal.

The sanction of temporary exclusion will be used only by the Principal or an Assistant Principal. Parents will always be involved in the process.

The sanction of permanent exclusion will be used only by the Principal after wide consultation with senior colleagues. In such a case there is a right of appeal to the Director General, whose decision is final. Parents will always be involved in the process.