3 October 2014 - Southgate School

Issue: 4
Date: 3rd October 2014
Newsletter
Southgate School
Dear Parents,
Behaviour for Learning
Tackling Low Level Disruption
Many of you will have read in the papers about Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, being concerned
about LLD (Low Level Disruption) in schools. Basically this is behaviour that stops others getting on with their
learning and educational progress.
LLD was tackled at Southgate several years ago. We started a policy of “Zero Tolerance” for such behaviour in
our school. It is something that the Heads of Phase and Heads of Year spend much of their time on.
To back up our determination to eradicate LLD we have a clearly defined discipline policy that aims to fulfil our
Code of Conduct which is based around students respecting each other and not disturbing others in their work.
Our Discipline Procedures
For most students this means they stay within our Code of Conduct and are never subject to school sanctions. For
those that do get into difficulties we have a clear tariff of punishments. This has the approval and support of the
Governing body.
I have included in this newsletter our agreed procedure for exclusions. Can you keep this for reference - most
students and parents never get involved in this process. The last published figures we have show that our school
has a very low exclusion rate, both fixed term and permanent. Last year, for example, we only had one permanent
Exclusion - and this was a student who brought unacceptable patterns of unsafe behaviour from another school.
Building Good Patterns of Behaviour with Year 7s
The way we induct students into our school helps us to establish good patterns of behaviour. Next week Year 7,
who have had an excellent start to the year, will be at Gilwell. This trip is about building friendships through
shared activities, it is also about building positive relationships with students. This is always the best way to
establish good behaviour for learning - through making students know that this is their school and that they, via
their behaviours and positive relationships with staff, contribute to the atmosphere and shared culture of our
school.
Mr. A.D.S. Wilde—Headteacher
Southgate School
The Exclusion Process at Southgate School, September 2014
Level Zero
This is where the vast majority of students will be for their school career. They will be getting on with
work and achievement. Home and school will communicate with each other via the planner. Parents will
be advised about detentions and any causes for concern. Newsletters for each year group, detailing how
this system works will be sent home during the first weeks of the new school year.
Level One
Internal Exclusion
One Day
Parents required to see
Head of Phase /Year
Given when a pupil has moved beyond the normal systems of good order within the school. It is a very
serious offence, but the school rather than the parents takes responsibility for the supervision of the student. School will work to address the issues. Parents will be interviewed and asked to take an active part
in the management of their child’s behaviour.
If the student offends again in the same term they will receive a Level Two punishment
If another offence in a following term occurs they may repeat the internal exclusion (unless the
offence is too serious)
 If they avoid any other punishment during the year they will be moved back to Level Zero the
following September.
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Level Two
External Exclusions
One - Five days
Parents(s) required to see Head

Stage One
One Day
Given if student has committed a serious offence and has already received a level one offence as defined
above or if the offence is deemed serious enough to warrant such a punishment.
Parent(s) must have an interview with the Head, where a child returns to school without the
interview arranged the student may be placed in the support unit pending re-integration.
 If no further offence occurs the student will return to Level One the following September and
Level 0 a year from then
 Parents will be required to fulfil their legal responsibility to supervise their child during the
exclusion.
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
Stage Two
Three days
Given if the student has previously been given a level Two/Stage One punishment during the academic
year or if the offence is deemed to warrants such a punishment.
Parent(s) must have an interview with the head, where a child returns to school without the
interview arranged the student may be placed in the support unit pending re-integration.
 If no further offence occurs the student will return to Level Two/Stage One the following
September, Level One a year from then and Level 0 after a further year.
 Parents will be required to fulfil their legal responsibility to supervise their child during the
exclusion.
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Southgate School

Stage Three Five Days
Parents see Governors
Given if an offence takes place and the student has already received a Stage Two/Level Two punishment
that academic year or the offence is deemed of a very serious nature that warrants such a punishment.
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Parent(s) must have an interview with the head, where a child returns to school before the
interview, or the interview has not been arranged, then students will be given an appropriate
timetable in the support unit until such time as the interview takes place.
If no further offence takes place the student will in yearly stages, each year, drop step by step
towards level 0.
Parent(s) will have an interview with the governing body (normally a panel of three members).
This will be arranged at the earliest opportunity, but no later than 25 days from the date of
exclusion.
Parents will be required to fulfil their legal responsibility to supervise their child during the
exclusion.
Level Three
Five Days/Permanent Exclusion

Stage One
Five Days
Parents see Head
Given if an offence takes place and the student has already received a Stage two/Level Three punishment
that academic year or the offence is of an extremely serious nature as defined in our Code of Conduct and
government guidelines. The exclusion will be used by the school to decide the seriousness of the offence.
If the offence is deemed not to be so serious it will be converted into a second Level two/Stage Three
offence (see above). If however the offence is deemed to be fully proven (on Head’s judgement of the
balance of probability) then a permanent exclusion will take place.
Parent(s) will be given the opportunity to speak to the Head during the five day period
Students will be given the opportunity to put their side of the story during the five day period
The Head will either investigate alleged offence fully or appoint an investigating officer to act
on his behalf, this person will not have been involved in any of the events leading up to the
exclusion.
 Parents will be required to fulfil their legal requirement to supervise their child during the
exclusion.
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Stage Two
Permanent Exclusion
Parents see Governors
This stage can only be reached if a Level Three/Stage One punishment has been given. It is the Head’s
decision. It is subject to confirmation by a panel of three Governors formally constituted to consider the
permanent exclusion.
Governors will meet within 15 days of permanent exclusion
The Local Authority will be informed on the day of the exclusion. They will fulfil their
duty to provide education.
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Other points –
Swearing at staff will always be punished by an appropriate exclusion.
Threats and intimidation of staff will result in a Stage 2 exclusion at an appropriate level.
Drugs offences will be punished in line with the agreed drugs policy.
Possession of an offensive weapon will result in a Level Three, Stage One punishment.
Southgate School
European day of Languages
The MFL department celebrated the European day of languages.
All the Year 8s and the Year 9 CD side led their language lesson
throughout the day. They taught their first language or home
language as well as a language that is not taught in school to their
class, including the teachers.
We have enjoyed a wide range of well prepared lessons of Turkish,
Japanese, Greek, Albanian, Polish, Ukranian and even
sign language. They were all very impressive and all
received a language prize on the day.
We have a lot of talent in our school and this day really
helped to raise the awareness of how important it is to
learn a language.
Ms. M’Paria—Head of languages
FRIENDS OF SOUTHGATE SCHOOL are pleased to announce forthcoming events:
Christmas Fayre
Bingo Evening
Quiz Night
Saturday 22nd November 2014
Thursday 29th January 2015
Saturday 14th March 2015
We always need help and support for these events to continue our fundraising efforts!
Notice is also given again that next Tuesday 7th October 2014 is our monthly meeting
as well as EGM and any parent is very welcome to attend (7.30pm). If you can help us
in any way or want more information on our activities please email
[email protected] or ring Pamela on 0794 1655599.
Next week is Week 1

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