SGS HOME - SIXTH FORM AGREEMENT
As a member of SGS Sixth Form you have certain privileges. Privileges include having private study periods, sole use of Sixth Form facilities, greater access to other school facilities and outdoor areas, Sixth Form Cafe, more autonomy about how you use your time and freedom to go off site at designated free times. However, with privileges come responsibilities and duties. You play a vital role within school and beyond as role models and as leaders. You are looked up to by the younger members of our community and are expected to set the right example at all times.
As a student:
I will:
Be respectful of all students, staff and the local community.
Be respectful of the school’s environment and other people’s belongings.
Take ownership of my own learning and private study time and complete all work to the best of my ability.
Follow the dress code and the behaviour guidelines.
Attend all my lessons and other timetabled activities unless I have a valid, authorised reason such as illness or other educational activity. Further detail in our Behaviour and Attendance Guidelines.
Use mobile devices and social media responsibly and following the acceptable use agreement for digital technologies.
Take responsibility for keeping up to date with Sixth Form communications.
Not bring cigarettes, alcohol or illegal substances onto the school site.
Not vape or smoke cigarettes within the school grounds or within 50m of the school or in front of younger students.
Abide by the regulations relating to conduct of examinations and the submission of coursework for assessment.
Promote an inclusive environment for all students and staff and report any incidents of bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Be involved in the wider school community.
As a parent/carer:
I will:
Support students in following the home - school agreement and Code of Conduct.
Letting the Sixth Form know about any problems which might affect the student’s work or behaviour.
Attending Parents’ Evenings and responding to requests to discuss progress.
Not book holidays during term time.
As a Sixth Form
We will:
Encourage high standards and provide a safe and inclusive environment for students, parents and staff.
Support teachers in providing high standards of teaching and learning.
Treat all students fairly and sensitively by following our policies on attendance and behaviour.
Help each student to develop a sense of responsibility and consideration for others.
Promote the development of learning character.
Communicate with parents and students to ensure they are kept up to date with academic progress, guidance on progression and wider school activities.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Information for Parents & Carers
SGS Sixth Form College has a 'Bring Your Own Device' (BYOD) policy for all students. All students will need to bring their own laptop or tablet to support their learning, as they will likely use it in most of their lessons. While the use of devices may vary by subject, they can generally expect to use the internet for research, complete class assignments, and engage with resources in virtual platforms like Showbie or Google Classroom.
Advantages of BYOD:
Allows flexible working
Students are familiar with their devices
Encourages collaborative learning
Increases student productivity
Quick access to resources including past papers
We ask that students bring a device that has the following features to maximise their ability to use it for their learning:
A minimum screen size of 24cm/9.5 inches- so that they can read and access resources easily and complete extended writing tasks.
Ability to connect to headphones- so they can watch videos as part of their learning and revision.
A camera - so they can scan/photograph work
Touch screen and stylus can be advantageous - this means students can annotate resources and handwrite. This is more important in subjects that have a high mathematical or diagrammatic content E.g. Maths, Sciences, Design, English based etc
A keyboard- if they are studying subjects which require extended writing.
A smartphone does not have a large enough screen and should not be used for study. Students can effectively use iPads or tablets, Chromebooks or laptops. It is important that the device has a screen and keyboard that are large enough for extended reading and writing, but still small enough to carry easily.
We are offering the opportunity to order an iPad and stylus through the Bohunt Education Trust Student iPad programme. This enables you to invest in the latest iPad for your child, along with insurance.
Full details of the scheme and how it works can be read in the linked booklet.
In summary the iPad scheme offers:
Apple iPad 11th gen 128GB Wi-Fi
Tucano Alunno Folio Case
Skriva Active Stylus Pencil
Glass screen protector
Accidental Damage Cover up to the retail price of the iPad (£24 excess per claim) & Mechanical Warranty
Access to the school curriculum from home
Access to homework, email, calendar and a wealth of education apps
It is our aim that the iPads will be delivered to students in September 2025.
What to do now:
Read the linked booklet attached to find out full details of the purchase scheme
If you wish to purchase an iPad through the school scheme please:
Go to the project ERA portal at: https://edutech.click/BET-iPad
Follow the onscreen instructions, select the Years 10 &12 option
If you’re joining the scheme, please do so before 10pm on Friday 11th July
A keyboard is not available as part of this scheme, so you will need to purchase a keyboard compatible with an iPad separately, if your child requires it.
If students bring their own device, which is not bought through the BET Student iPad programme, then SGS Sixth Form College cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. You will be responsible for getting an insurance policy to cover this.
VISION
We believe that digital technologies can be used to help you to enhance your learning. We want you to be able to employ digital technologies safely, effectively and ethically. The agreement below is between students and the school. Parents and carers are advised to contact the school in writing if there are any concerns about the scope of this agreement.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
This agreement includes all devices and data connected to the school network or brought onto the school and boarding sites. Examples of what we mean by this include:
School devices, whether you use them on or off-site. For example: desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, video cameras.
Data on the school’s network. For example the U drive, X drive, your school Google drive, your Office 365 account and your Google Classroom account.
Any portable storage devices, hard drives you bring with you to school or on school trips.
Your school email account.
The use of Remote Desktop which you use to access the school’s systems from off-site
Any personal devices that you bring with you to school or on school trips under the school’s Bring Your Own Device agreement (for example smartphones, laptops and tablets).
The school’s WiFi
USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
The agreement sets out the expectations of students with regards to the use of digital technologies. By accepting this agreement you agree to the following statements:
I will use digital technologies appropriately and only for educational purposes.
I will only access the school systems with my own username and password.
I will create a secure password what I will not share this with anyone else.
I will communicate with others respectfully. This means I will use appropriate language and ensure that my digital activity does not hurt, upset or offend anyone else.
I will report any concerns, misuse or inappropriate material I come across to a teacher.
I will report any damage to equipment to a member of staff as soon as it’s noticed.
I will only bring and use personal devices if I have completed and returned a BYOD agreement.
I will ask the permission of a teacher before making or using any recordings of other students, visitors or staff (whether photographic, audio or video).
I will not upload any school resources, information, recordings, or the work of others outside the school network without seeking permission from a member of staff (for example YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest etc.)
As a student of this school, I will ensure that my online activity, both on and off-site, doesn’t bring the school into disrepute.
I will not seek to bypass any of the school network’s security systems (e.g. using VPNs, proxy servers, or attempting to hack other users’ passwords).
I will not download, store or install software or games onto the school network.
I will respect the copyright of proprietary material.
I understand that the school monitors the use of digital technologies by all users.
I understand that if I break this agreement, sanctions may be applied and my parents and carers contacted.
ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES & ACCEPTANCE
I understand that I will be issued with a username and password to access the school’s network.
I understand that Steyning Grammar School uses “electronic signatures”.
This means that when I electronically “sign” a document, or send communication, using my login and password, this is the equivalent of me manually signing an agreement on paper.
I understand that this Acceptable Use Agreement may be updated from time to time and that I will be required on login, to agree to any changes by electronically signing an updated agreement.
Recordings include the filming of video, recording of audio and taking of photographs.
From time to time teachers may make or permit students to make recordings of one another for a specific educational purpose. For example: Year 12 students creating a YouTube channel of their Music performance work or Year 13 students creating a Pinterest site of their Photography. These recordings may be shared with students in order to facilitate their learning.
For example:
A printed photograph
A DVD recording
Streamed via the school’s networked and cloud drives
An upload to an SGS YouTube channel
Students will only be able to make and share recordings when specific consent has been given by a member of staff for an agreed purpose.
Please note: Images and work on the school website and on social media are never named, while those in school and local press may be.
RECORDINGS FOR EXAMINATIONS AND AWARDS
Some courses of study require recordings of students’ work to be submitted for external moderation or assessment. The school will complete and submit such recordings without obtaining further parental or carer consent. If this poses any concern, please contact the school in writing.
The school recognises that technology and the internet can be used as a valuable tool to enhance student learning. Students’ personal devices have the potential to aid learning when used for specific learning activities under the direction of the classroom teacher. We want our students to develop literacy in accessing, evaluating, creating and communicating information. Furthermore we want them to be able to employ digital tools safely, effectively and ethically. These guidelines cover students’ use of personal devices such as mobile phones, media players, cameras, media storage devices, tablets, notebooks and laptops, during the school day and during school visits.
Student Guidelines for Acceptable Use
• You may only connect to the internet by logging into the school’s filtered WiFi. It is a condition of use that you disable mobile data on your device when on the school site, and that you do not connect to the internet using a mobile data provider.
• You must only use your school email account in order to communicate with another member of the school community.
• You must ensure that any personal device does not contain unsuitable material, viruses or malware before bringing it into school.
• You must bring your device fully charged to school.
Photography, Video and Audio Recordings
You must remember that there are very strict legal guidelines which cover the making and sharing of recordings. When we refer to recordings we mean the filming of video, recording of audio and taking of photographs. To help you use your device responsibly you must ensure that you follow these rules:
• You may only make a recording when specific consent is given by a member of staff. If this involves recording of another person, staff will work with you to ensure that those being recorded give their permission.
• Recordings made in school or on a school visit can only be shared when you have been given written permission by the school/ the parents and carers of the students concerned. Here are some examples of what you should avoid doing with any recordings on your device:
• Emailing or texting the recording (like SMS, MMS, Whatsapp or Snapchat)
• Sharing the recording by social media (like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram)
• Posting the recording on any website (like YouTube or Pintrest)
• Copying the recording onto someone else’s personal device
• Showing the recording to someone who is not a student, parent, carer or member of staff from Steyning Grammar School.
Consequences for Misuse/ Disruption
If the school believe that you have misused your personal device, one or more of the following may apply:
• Your access to the network is removed
• Your personal device is confiscated for the duration of the school day
• Your personal device is confiscated and held by the school office until your parent/ carer is available to collect it
• The personal privilege of bringing a device to school is removed from you
• If the school has reason to believe that a device that has been brought into school has been misused, a member of staff delegated by the head teacher may check the device, its content, any messages and media stored on it, and the internet history. You will be required to unlock your device when requested.
• Consequences as indicated by the school’s other policies on anti-bullying and creating a positive learning environment may also apply.
• The school is unable to provide secure facilities to store students’ personal devices and the school can not be held liable for loss, theft or damage to them. Parents and carers are advised to ensure that their personal insurance adequately covers any device that a student brings.
• For basic Health & Safety compliance, parents and carers are advised to regularly check students’ personal devices to ensure that they are free from any defects. Particular attention should be paid to:
• Keyboard (all keys present, no bare metal exposed)
• Screen (free from flicker, cracks and damage)
• Battery (able to hold a charge and does not overheat)
The school may prohibit a student from using any device with a Health & Safety defect.