2. Last Term Was…
fantastic! Many pupils have already managed to achieve
their Platinum Award which is an incredible achievement and a large
number of pupils made huge improvements to their behaviour and
attitude in school.
Teachers continue to be really pleased with the effort and hard
work you put into your learning in all years. Year 11 in particular are
going from strength to strength and we are looking forward to some
amazing GCSE results this year.
Remember that every lesson you attend counts. From year 7
onwards everything is about preparing you for your GCSEs to
ensure everyone achieves the very best they can. Make the most of
every lesson and don’t waste valuable time.
3. This ½ term is…
• Very short but also extremely important.
• When GCSE exams start for Year 11s, Year 10s and
Year 9s.
• Time for year 10 to think that this time next year you will
be doing your final exams!
• A crucial time for year 8 and 9 pupils to start thinking
about which subjects you are good at as you will be
making important choices for your GCSEs in June –
there will be more information to follow this term.
• Important for year 7 and 8 pupils to focus and work hard
so you can receive nominations from staff for the awards
evening in July.
• When Mr Foster runs the London Marathon. 26.2 miles
of pain. Good Luck Mr Foster!
4. High Expectations
• All your teachers want to see you being
successful and achieving the best
results you can in your learning.
• We also have very high expectations of
your behaviour and how you
participate and contribute to life at St
James.
• Here are some reminders of just what
we expect of you.
5. Pupil Expectations
• Pupils will try their hardest in all lessons and show respect
for all members of the school community at all times.
• Pupils will have high standards of behaviour in the school
and the local community and act as positive ambassadors
for St James School at all times.
• Pupils will come to school with the correct equipment and in
the correct uniform.
• Pupils will celebrate the success of others and encourage
each other to achieve high standards of education and
behaviour.
• Pupils will respond to the support they are offered.
• Pupils will follow any sanctions which are issued and work
to improve their behaviour to avoid further consequences.
• Pupils will demonstrate high standards of behaviour on their
way to and from school.
• Pupils will take responsibility for their actions and make the
most of restorative justice opportunities.
6. Equipment
• Everyone must have:
• Pen, pencil, ruler, rubber and planner every day.
• Your tutor will check this every day along with
your uniform. When you arrive at tutor time, the
first thing you should do is place the items above
on your desk.
• If you forget any items there is now a new library
shop where you can buy equipment and school
ties. It is open daily at 8:15 and during break
times and lunchtimes.
7. Uniform
Jewellery - only one stud in each ear may be worn, and a watch
NO TONGUE/NOSE PIERCINGS FOR SAFETY REASONS –
immediate confiscation
Boys: • School Blazer Girls • School Blazer
• White shirt with collar • White shirt with collar and
and buttons to neck buttons to neck
• Plain black trousers • Plain black trousers (not
(not denim or cord) denim, cord or leggings)
• School tie • Knee-length skirt
• All black footwear • School tie
• All black footwear
When moving from lesson to • BLACK LOW HEEL
SHOES (no backless
lesson all pupils are expected shoes and boots must fit
to wear their blazers under trousers)
At break and lunchtime you may During lessons you may ask
remove blazers but these must your teacher permission to
be put back on ready for
registration or next lesson take off your blazer.
8. Reminder
• The blue jumpers are an optional part of
school uniform and they do not replace
blazers.
• Any pupils repeatedly attending school
without blazers or incorrect uniform will
find themselves losing break and lunch
until their uniform is perfect (if they are
referred to Mr Thain more than once)
9. Mobile Phones, MP3s etc.
• These should be in your bag at all times
and switched off.
• The school cannot accept responsibility if
you lose any such items.
• Staff will immediately confiscate any
electronic games, phones, MP3s etc.
being used on school premises
11. REWARDS
• In years 7-10 you will be collecting merits
and working towards 3 rewards activities.
There is one final event which Mr Thain is
already planning.
• Year 11 have a separate rewards
programme which is linked to receiving an
invitation to the prom. If you earn enough
merits you will get a prom ticket for free!
12. HOW DO I GET THEM?
• Rewards
• General Merits
• Pupils will be awarded a weekly merit for bringing the
correct equipment to school daily.
• Pupils will be awarded a weekly merit for wearing the
correct uniform daily.
• Pupils will be awarded a weekly merit for 100%
attendance each week.
• Pupils will be awarded a weekly merit for no SBLs
• Teachers will award at least 3 merits per lesson
• Tutors may award merits for a range of reasons such as
positive contributions from members of the tutor group
13. Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 Rewards
• There are 3 planned events over the
academic year funded by the school to
reward students who consistently have the
most merits each term. Places are given
to the top two students in each tutor group
and additional places are allocated by the
Head of Learning for pupils they feel
deserve a reward.
14. Special milestones
• Bronze - 70 Merits
• Letter / Postcard home to parents/carers from tutor.
• Bronze pin badge awarded in assembly by tutor.
• Silver - 130 Merits
• Letter / Postcard home to parents/carers from HoL.
• Silver pin badge awarded by HoL in assembly.
• Gold – 180 Merits
• Letter / Postcard home to parents/carers from Deputy Head
• Gold pin badge awarded by Deputy Head in assembly.
• All gold students have a priority queue at break and lunch times.
• Gold students honour roll in reception and on display board in atrium.
• Platinum – 220 Merits
• Letter / Postcard home to parents/carers from Head.
• Platinum pin badge awarded by Head Teacher in assembly.
• All platinum students would also have a priority queue (same line as gold)
• All platinum students entitled to use the priority queue at break and lunch for the autumn term the
following year.
• Platinum students honour roll in reception, on a display board in atrium and outside Head
Teachers office.
15. Certificates
On top of merits staff will be awarding certificates to students in
the following areas:
• An excellent piece of class or homework relevant to the ability of the
pupil.
• An outstanding contribution to a class activity.
• A significant improvement in a pupil's behaviour, attitude or effort (this
should be judged over a minimum of five lessons).
• A pupil consistently working to the best of their ability.
• An excellent contribution to a school activity or an activity out with
school which brings credit to the pupil and thereby the school.
• Certificates will be presented to you by your Head of Learning
16. Head Teacher’s Award
• For outstanding work or contribution to
school life you can also be nominated for
a Headteacher’s award.
17. Break and Lunchtimes
• We expect high standards of behaviour at
all times
• If you are indoors in the atrium you must
be sitting down and talking quietly or
you will be asked to go outside
• THERE SHOULD BE NO LITTER ON
THE FLOOR – PUT IT IN THE BIN
PLEASE!
18. Behaviour for Learning
• We are all working together – students and staff - to
ensure everyone can learn and achieve their best.
• Unfortunately, at times, some students let themselves
down through inappropriate behaviour and not following
school rules.
• Everyone has the right to learn without lessons being
disrupted by a very small minority
• So just to remind you………
19. Sanctions and Consequences
Behaviour Levels and Consequences
Level One Level Two Level Three
Low level disruption in the Repeated refusal to follow Direct swearing at a member
classroom instructions of staff
Using mobile phone – item Repeated disruption to Violence or intimidation
confiscated learning directed at any member of the
Wearing jewellery – item Use of inappropriate language school community
confiscated Walking out of lesson without Out of control behaviour
Calling out permission Failure to report to Inclusion
Chewing / eating Failing to attend a break or Support Centre when sent out
Passing notes lunch time detention of lessons
Using MP3 / listening to music Undermining / personal Failure to attend an after
– item confiscated comments direct at staff school detention
Spraying deodorant Repeated personal comments Bullying (see bullying policy)
Playing with practical directed at students Any serious breaches of the
equipment school behaviour policy.
Taking personal items out of
bag
Off task
Graffiti on books
Late to lesson – automatic SBL
(record on register)
Out of school uniform and no
pass
No equipment
Internal Exclusion
Warning Student sent to Inclusion or
If behaviour continues Support Centre Fixed Term Exclusion ( see
Student Behaviour Log After school detention(s) separate guidance document)
10 minutes detention per SBL
20. On-call follow up
• After an on call you will be issued with a
discussion card to see the member of staff
and resolve the situation before your next
lesson with that teacher. If you do this
successfully you will receive a reduced
detention time.
21. Restorative Justice
• If there is a situation where there is a
break down in a relationship with another
pupil/member of staff. Your tutor or HOL
will arrange a restorative justice session.
• A trained mediator will manage a
discussion which allows both people
involved to say how they feel and find a
positive way of moving forward.
22. Lates
• If you are late twice or more in one term
you will receive a 20 minute detention for
every late
• If you arrive so late that you miss
registration you will receive an automatic
40 minute detention every time.
• Being on time is very important – you can’t
turn up late for work – get into good habits
now!
23. Disruptive SBLs
• Just a reminder that if you receive 2 disruptive SBLs in a
week you will automatically lose break and lunch for a
week. This is also the case for those pupils who receive
90 minutes or more of SBL detention.
• If you think this is unfair then you should start to think
about how your negative behaviour is unfair towards
those pupils who are trying to focus and get on…..
• Also if you are stuck in a rut and want to change your
behaviour talk to your tutor or Head of Learning. Some
pupils (especially in year 9) have really turned it around
so it is possible to change your ways. Staff will gladly
help you!
24. BUSES
• A reminder for everyone who takes a bus to
or from school that we have exactly the same
expectations of behaviour as we would in
school.
• Another big thank you to all pupils who take
the school bus as drivers continue to
comment regularly on the high standards of
behaviour on the St James School buses.
• So very well done to those pupils who travel
in a highly mature and grown up way.
25. Sometimes life can be tough!
• This is a caring school – don’t suffer in silence.
• Please tell your tutor or any member of staff if
you are facing problems in school or out of
school (this could be struggling with school,
bullying, racism, abuse, violence etc.)
• We will do everything we can to help.
• If you are worried about a friend of yours for any
reason please tell a member of staff.
26. The child protection team
• The child protection team at St James is
• Mrs Roughsedge Miss Busby
• Mrs Howe Mrs Weir
• Mrs Bowden Miss Lane Clark
• If you think that you or a friend is being abused,
neglected or harmed in any way tell an adult. This could
be any member of the team above or any adult in school.
• The child protection offices are by reception if you need
to talk to somebody. Just ask.
27. Have a good term!
• We are all working together to ensure that
everyone reaches their true potential.
• Each and every one of you is responsible
for achieving your best and staff are here
to support you to do that.
• Good luck to all of you taking exams.
