Rewards and Sanctions

The School Rules

Our staff are warm, welcoming, and friendly. They are passionate about working with young people, especially those who are most vulnerable, and are genuinely dedicated to enhancing the life opportunities of all children. Every routine we establish is designed with the most vulnerable children in mind. We practice these routines consistently and always explain our actions and their purpose.

While we hold exceptionally high expectations for all students, we also require full commitment from the families who choose Longdendale for their child. By accepting a place at our school, you agree to adhere to our policies, ethos, and procedures, and to support the school for your child’s benefit. This collaboration ensures that all children can succeed.

To provide clarity to staff, students, and parents we have six basic school rules that we expect students to follow at all times;

  • Treat all others with respect

  • Be prepared for learning with the Longdendale 7

  • Wear the full and correct uniform

  • No mobile phones to be seen or heard whilst on school premises

  • Be punctual to school and lessons

  • No eating or drinking in the classrooms or on the corridors

Mobile phones and smart devices (including tablets and watches) are not allowed to be seen on the
school site. If a student wishes to bring a phone to school, the phone should be kept switched off and
stored in their bags so they do not cause any disruption to the school day. If mobile phones or smart
devices are seen or heard by a member of staff, then they will be confiscated with immediate effect. If
a student refuses to hand over the item they will receive a Reset room sanction. Students will be able to
collect their device at the end of the school day.

Sexual Harassment, Homophobia and Racism will not be tolerated at Longdendale High School. If it is
decided that a student has made discriminatory comments or who is found to be promoting any type
of homophobic bullying, they will be seriously sanctioned. This may result in a suspension and possibly
a permanent exclusion.

Selling items to other students is illegal. If students are found to be doing this, the items will be
confiscated, and the profits given to a selected charity.

Students behaving appropriately on school buses is essential for ensuring a safe and positive
environment for everyone. By following rules such as staying seated, speaking softly, and respecting
personal space, students help create a calm atmosphere that allows the bus driver to focus on the
road. This respectful behaviour not only promotes safety but also fosters a sense of community among
classmates, making the journey to and from school more enjoyable for all. Encouraging good manners
and cooperation can significantly enhance the overall bus experience.

Students are regularly informed and reminded about the dangers of social media and their
responsibilities in using and accessing it. Therefore, students who use social media or the internet to
cause upset, embarrassment or fear; either whilst in school or outside of school, will be sanctioned.
The list below outlines some behaviours which are likely to lead to a sanction;

  • Cyberbullying, sexting or verbal abuse of students and/or staff

  • Posting or ‘liking’ any image which causes upset

  • Posting any image without a person’s knowledge and/or consent

  • Posting images and comments which demonstrate illegal and/or inappropriate activity

Drugs, cigarettes, vapes and any associated paraphernalia or dangerous items are banned from school.
If a student endangers the welfare of our students and staff by bringing drugs or dangerous items onto
our school site or if a student is found to be supplying or distributing illegal substances and/or any items
deemed to be drug paraphernalia, they are likely to be permanently excluded and the police informed.

Longdendale High School has a zero tolerance policy towards any weapons being brought onto or into
our school site. This for example, could be any type of knife. Any child who is suspected of having
brought a dangerous item onto school premises will have their belongings searched. Students who have
brought any type of weapon onto school premises are likely to be permanently excluded.

Chewing gum is a banned item and will result in a Reset room sanction. Due to the high level of
sugar contained in fizzy drinks/energy drinks and the impact this can have on a student’s behaviour,
fizzy drinks and energy drinks are not allowed on the school site. If found, they will be confiscated.
Longdendale High School encourages sugar free drinks. A water fountain is available and students are
encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to school with them.

Rewards and Celebration

At Longdendale High School, we acknowledge students when they positively display our values. These are acknowledged regularly in the form of Legacy points which are issued electronically by teaching and support staff. There are weekly, half-termly and termly awards for individuals, forms and year groups.

Behaviour and Culture

As represented by our core values it is important to us that our students make a positive contribution to their communities. By asking our students to follow some accepted behaviour norms of respect, we will ensure they are helping us develop a community based on mutual consideration and appreciation.

For the avoidance of doubt, all students are ambassadors for our school when travelling to and from school and when out and about in the local community. Our expectations and sanctions therefore apply to students behaviours during these times. More information relating to this can be found in our Behaviour Policy.

Standards Cards

These are small cards which students must always carry in their blazer pocket. They are used to monitor the number of Verbal Warnings (VW) and act as an explicit method of issuing a memorable warning to students to support the avoidance of further poor behaviour. Therefore, a student must hand the card to any member of staff on request and failure to do so will result in a SLT detention being issued to the student. If a student loses, defaces or fills up their standard card, replacement cards will be issued to them by their class teachers, however an SLT detention will also be issued.

‘Out of Classroom Behaviour’

We expect our students to always demonstrate our values, not just during lessons and electives. Therefore, if a student fails to meet these expectations, detention will be issued.

Some examples of behaviours which will lead to a detention are below, although this list is not exhaustive.

  • Talking during a lesson

  • Rudeness or Aggression

  • Talking during reset

  • Arriving late to the reset line

  • Failing to have all of the ‘Longdendale 7’ Items

  • Eating in a classroom or corridor

  • Graffiting equipment

  • Boisterous behaviour

  • Swearing

  • Ignoring reasonable instructions

Detentions

Detentions may last 15 minutes, 60 minutes or 90 minutes. They will take place at lunch time, during period 6 on a Wednesday or after school for the Headteacher’s detention. Students will be informed of the duration and location of the detentions by the teacher who has witnessed the incident or who has investigated it. Students who are removed from lessons will be issued a detention removal. This means they are removed from lessons and social time for 5 consecutive periods and instead work in the Reset Room.

Behaviour at transition and social times

Students are expected to demonstrate our core values at all times and this includes during their social times. Students who act inappropriately or unsafely will therefore be issued with an appropriate sanction. This will predominantly be their standards card being signed. More serious incidents will be investigated by the students Head of Year or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.