Expectations for Learning

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A Commitment to Excellence

At Wade Deacon High School, we have the highest expectations of every pupil. Our Expectations for Learning are designed to create a calm, safe, respectful and purposeful environment in which every young person can learn, achieve and thrive.

Our approach is centred on helping pupils make positive choices. We explicitly teach, model, recognise and reward excellent behaviour while providing clear guidance, support and intervention when pupils need help to meet our expectations.

Our Core Commitments

Our Commitment to Excellence is underpinned by three simple commitments that we ask every pupil to demonstrate:

Respect yourself and others

Give the very best of yourself

Believe in yourself

These commitments sit at the heart of our school culture and reflect our ambition for pupils to demonstrate exceptional values, benefit from exceptional learning and teaching, and achieve exceptionally well.

What do we expect from pupils?

We believe that clear and consistent routines help pupils develop positive habits that support success both at school and in later life.

Every pupil is expected to arrive at school and lessons punctually, be fully prepared for learning, wear the correct uniform and bring the equipment they need. Pupils should be polite, courteous and respectful, follow reasonable instructions from staff and have regard for their own safety and the safety of others.

Ready to learn

Pupils should come to school every day properly equipped. This includes black and blue pens, pencil, ruler, protractor, compasses, calculator, glue stick, basic-coloured pencils, their Knowledge Organiser and the correct books and equipment for their lessons. Equipment should be organised in an appropriate school bag.

Punctuality is equally important. Pupils are expected to arrive at school on time and to arrive at all lessons within four minutes. This maximises learning time and helps pupils establish the positive habits of organisation and timekeeping that will be important beyond school.

Excellent behaviour in lessons

Excellent behaviour is explicitly taught and reinforced so that pupils understand exactly what successful learning looks like.

Pupils are expected to arrive on time, line up and wait to be greeted by their teacher, sit according to the seating plan, have the necessary equipment ready, listen carefully when the teacher is speaking and actively engage in their learning.

Our routines are designed to be simple, consistent and easy for everyone to understand. Where a pupil has additional needs, reasonable adjustments are made where appropriate to support them in successfully meeting expectations.

Recognising and rewarding excellence

Recognition and reward are a vital part of our school culture.

We recognise pupils not simply for academic attainment, but for the choices, attitudes and personal qualities that contribute to success. Pupils can be recognised for achievement and attainment, enrichment and participation, progress and improvement, character and leadership, contribution and service, respect and conduct, exceptional standards and being an inspirational role model.

Pupils are also recognised through the Highflyers Award and, in Years 7 and 8, for their commitment to personal development through completion of the Wade Deacon Passport.

Our rewards system is designed to build confidence, belonging and positive self-esteem while encouraging pupils to develop the attitudes, behaviours and interpersonal skills they will need for life beyond Wade Deacon.

When expectations are not met

Our priority is always to help pupils make better choices and successfully re-engage with their learning.

Teachers use reminders and in-class strategies to give pupils opportunities to reflect on and correct their behaviour. Where expectations continue not to be met, our C1–C6 conduct system provides a clear and consistent sequence of consequences. This ranges from reminders and warnings through to removal from class, the Achievement Centre and, where necessary, suspension.

Consequences are not considered in isolation from support. Where behaviour indicates that a pupil needs additional help, the school uses a graduated approach involving Form Tutors, Assistant Progress Leaders, Progress Leaders and, where necessary, senior leaders. Pastoral Support Plans and Behaviour Contracts can provide more intensive support, with parents and carers involved in the process.

Support and reasonable adjustments

We recognise that pupils are individuals and that some may require additional support to successfully meet our expectations.

Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments are made by senior leaders working with the Inclusion and SEND team. The school considers individual circumstances, including SEND and possible underlying factors affecting behaviour, when determining appropriate support and responses.

Our aim remains consistent: to help pupils understand their behaviour, make positive choices and successfully engage with their education.

Working in partnership with parents and carers

The support of parents and carers is essential to maintaining our high expectations.

We ask families to ensure that pupils attend regularly and punctually, arrive in full uniform with the correct equipment, complete home learning and meet deadlines, and follow our expectations regarding mobile phones and prohibited items.

We also ask parents and carers to support the school's Expectations for Learning and any appropriate sanctions, attend parents' and progress evenings, keep contact information up to date and communicate directly, respectfully and positively with the school when concerns arise.

Our school standards reflect Wade Deacon High School’s Commitment to Excellence. We expect pupils to take pride in themselves, their learning and their school, and to demonstrate our three core commitments every day:

Respect yourself and others
Give the very best of yourself
Believe in yourself

These standards help us maintain a calm, safe and purposeful environment where all pupils can learn and achieve.

Uniform and appearance

Pupils demonstrate their Commitment to Excellence by wearing the Wade Deacon uniform correctly and with pride. Uniform should be neat and tidy throughout the school day, and pupils are expected to travel to and from school in the correct uniform.

Our school uniform consists of:

• Black blazer with blue trim and school badge
• Blue/black knee-length tartan skirt or black tailored trousers
• White shirt
• School tie, worn at the correct length with the school crest visible
• Sensible, plain black school shoes
• Plain white socks or navy-blue tights
• Plain black V-neck jumper, if worn

Hoodies are not permitted on the school premises.

Full details regarding uniform, PE kit and acceptable school footwear can be found in the Expectations for Learning Policy.

School footwear

School shoes must be plain black, sensible and suitable for school. Trainers, trainer-style shoes, boots, platforms, sandals, slingbacks and fashion shoes are not permitted.

We recognise that choosing appropriate footwear can sometimes be difficult. The Expectations for Learning Policy includes photographs showing examples of both acceptable and unacceptable footwear. If parents or carers are unsure whether a particular style of shoe meets our expectations, we encourage them to contact the school before making a purchase.

Equipment – ready to learn

Being properly equipped is an important part of being ready to learn.

Pupils must bring the following equipment to school every day:

• Black pen
• Blue pen
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Protractor
• Pair of compasses
• Calculator
• Glue stick
• Basic pack of coloured pencils
• Knowledge Organiser
• Correct exercise books and textbooks for each lesson
• Any additional equipment required for subjects such as Technology and PE
• Completed homework when required

Pupils should keep their books and equipment organised in an appropriate A4 size school bag.

Hair and appearance

We expect pupils’ appearance to reflect the high standards of the school.

Hair accessories should be plain white, navy blue or black. Extreme hairstyles or hair colours are not permitted, and hair colour should appear natural. Shoulder-length hair must be tied back during practical lessons. Religious head coverings are permitted.

Make-up, including false eyelashes, is not permitted.

Jewellery, nails and piercings

Bracelets, rings and necklaces are not permitted. Pupils may wear a wristwatch, and smart watches must be used responsibly and not as communication devices. A cross or other symbol of faith may be worn for religious reasons but should not be visible. Medical identification tags are permitted.

Polished or acrylic nails are not permitted.

Facial or body piercings, including clear or micro studs, are not permitted.

Around our school

Our expectations extend beyond the classroom. Pupils should move around the school calmly and safely, follow the school's movement systems and demonstrate respect for other people and our shared environment.

Food should be eaten only while sitting down in designated areas, pupils are expected to clear away litter, and only water in a clear, sealable bottle is permitted during lessons. Fizzy and energy drinks are not permitted.

Mobile phones and electronic devices

We want pupils to be focused on their learning and on positive face-to-face relationships during the school day.

Mobile phones are not permitted for use anywhere on the school site and must be switched off. The school site includes all internal and external areas within the school grounds. Parents and carers who need to contact their child during the school day should do so through school reception.

Earphones are not permitted during the school day.

Parents and carers who need to contact their child during the school day should do so through school reception.

Movement around school

Pupils are expected to move around the school calmly, safely and respectfully. They should follow the designated movement systems, use the correct staircases where appropriate and keep to the left on staircases.

These routines help maintain a calm and orderly environment and ensure that everyone can move safely and arrive at lessons ready to learn.

Food and drink

Our expectations for food and drink support a calm, safe and purposeful learning environment.

In lessons, only water in a clear, sealable bottle is permitted. Food should not be consumed in lessons unless specifically authorised by a member of staff. Fizzy drinks and energy drinks are not permitted.

Around school, food should only be consumed in designated areas. Pupils should take a seat to eat, not eat in corridors or during lesson changeovers and are expected to dispose of litter appropriately and leave shared spaces clean.

Food and drink must not be shared because of potential allergy risks, and pupils must always follow staff instructions.

Supportive tools

Fidget tools may only be brought into school where there is an identified SEND need, and their use has been agreed as part of a structured support plan. Any agreed tool should be small, quiet and discreet and used in accordance with the pupil’s support arrangements.

A shared Commitment to Excellence

Our standards are not simply a list of rules. They establish consistent routines and expectations that help pupils develop responsibility, self-discipline and positive habits.

By meeting these expectations, pupils demonstrate respect for themselves, respect for others and respect for their learning environment. They show that they are ready to learn and committed to giving their very best.

Commitment to Excellence

Ultimately, Expectations for Learning is about much more than behaviour.

It is about establishing the habits, attitudes and values that enable young people to be successful.

By maintaining consistently high expectations, recognising excellence and providing support when it is needed, we help pupils take responsibility for their behaviour, respect their learning environment and be ready to engage fully in their education.

Respect yourself and others. Give the very best of yourself. Believe in yourself.

A Commitment to Excellence.