Behaviour & Discipline Policy

1Aims & Objectives

Providence English Private School (PEPS) aims to maintain a safe and orderly environment where teachers and students can learn and work together in an atmosphere of co-operation and mutual respect.

More specifically, our aims are:

• To promote justice and fairness for all;
• To protect each student's right to benefit fully from school;
• To enable all students to work to the best of their ability, thereby achieving their full academic potential;
• To help students acquire a high standard of social behaviour;
• To encourage students to develop self-discipline;
• To develop in our students a sense of pride in themselves and in their school;
• To promote respect for all staff members and elders;
• To promote respect for school property and the school environment.

All children have the right to feel safe and respected in school. A culture of mutual respect is expected of every member of the school community — towards one another and towards our support staff, who are often treated with less respect than they deserve. Behavioural expectations are taught explicitly and implicitly according to the age of the child, and rules are made clear so there is no misunderstanding. This policy applies to all teachers and students in school and whenever PEPS students are off-site on school-sponsored activities, such as day trips linked to the curriculum, cultural trips and scout trips.

2Legal & Regulatory Framework

This policy is written to align with the following UAE federal, local and regulatory requirements:

• Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA): behaviour, safeguarding and wellbeing standards for private schools, including transparent recording and review of disciplinary incidents;
• UAE National Education Charter: the school's student code of conduct is aligned to the Charter's principles and reinforced through classroom practice and extracurricular activities;
• Ministry of Education Student Code of Conduct: the Ministry-mandated code of conduct for students, communicated to all students and parents and available on the school website and app;
• Code of Conduct for Education Professionals: the Ministry's 10-principle code of conduct, signed by all PEPS staff, sets expectations for staff behaviour, safeguarding and professionalism;
• Ministry of Education Attendance & Absence Policy: the national procedural guide on attendance, which this policy's attendance rules follow;
• Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 on Child Rights (Wadeema's Law): guarantees every child's right to protection from all forms of abuse, including online harm;
• Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 (Cybercrime Law): governs online harassment, impersonation and misuse of devices, relevant to the school's digital conduct rules.

3Rationale of the Code & Responsibilities

We strive for the all-round development of the student, promoting values and principles, affirming the personal worth and dignity of each student, and fostering awareness of the responsibility to work for peace, fairness and unity in society.

The school endeavours to encourage excellence in all areas of the student's life, in an atmosphere of interest, concern and friendship for each person. Our behaviour code is therefore based on respect for self and respect for others. It seeks to promote self-discipline and to challenge our students to act responsibly and take responsibility for their actions.

Teachers

Teachers are responsible for developing an ethos of positive respect whereby positive exchanges are the norm and students are praised for good behaviour. They are required to implement the objectives of the PEPS Behaviour Policy by example and explicit teaching, and to abide by the Ministry's Code of Conduct for Education Professionals. Supervision is a crucial part of behaviour management, and teachers are required to supervise students at all times to ensure that safety procedures are maintained.

Parents / Guardians

Supportive parents and a favourable home environment play a crucial role in shaping the attitudes which produce good behaviour in school. In particular, parents should:

• Co-operate with the school by encouraging their child to abide by the school rules;
• Actively support school staff in the application of the Code of Behaviour;
• Keep themselves informed of their child's behaviour, progress, attendance and punctuality by regularly checking the Journal/Portal;
• Contact the school if they are concerned about any aspect of their child's behaviour and/or progress.

Students

Students are required to abide by the Behaviour Policy and to develop the ethos of positive respect in the school. Our school has an expectation of excellence in all areas, and by focusing on this, our students can develop their full potential and become internationally minded young people of excellence.

4Scope & Applicability

This policy applies to all students at PEPS, from KG1 to Grade 12, and covers conduct:

• On school premises during the school day;
• On school transport, and immediately before and after school on school grounds;
• During school trips, fixtures, events and any school-organised activity off-site;
• In digital spaces, including social media, messaging apps and school-issued devices or platforms, where conduct affects a member of the PEPS community.

5Bullying

Bullying is any behaviour which is deliberately intended to hurt, threaten, frighten or discriminate against another individual or group, and which happens repeatedly as part of a pattern. Bullying may be physical, verbal, related to rumour and innuendo, emotional or social, discriminatory, sexual, or cyber/digital in nature. Full definitions, prevention strategies and reporting and response procedures are set out in the PEPS Anti-Bullying Policy, which this policy operates alongside.

The school strives to generate an ethos which focuses on mutual respect and the promotion of justice and fairness for all. These values are integrated into the school curriculum and promoted through activities undertaken by year and class groups. The school's handling of bullying aims to be sensitive and supportive, and counselling is made available to any student who wishes to avail themselves of it.

• Students are encouraged to develop a strong anti-bullying stance and to report suspected bullying to any of the following: Class Prefect, Senior Prefect assigned to the class, School Counsellor, Social Worker, Class Teacher, a member of Student Council, or any other staff member including a Supervisor, Vice-Principal or Principal;
• Parents concerned that their child might be a victim of bullying (for example, through observing mood swings or a change in attitude towards school) are encouraged to contact the school, who will endeavour to address parental concerns sensitively;
• All staff members are expected to be vigilant in ensuring that students can learn and develop in a happy, secure school environment;
• All cases of bullying are reported to the Principal and the Child Protection Coordinator;
• Sanctions for those involved in bullying may include suspension, or referral of the student's continued place at the school to the Board of Management (see the Anti-Bullying Policy for full detail).

6School Rules

1. The highest standard of courtesy and good manners is expected when dealing with everyone involved in school life — teachers, ancillary staff and fellow students. Answering back rudely, verbal insults, defiance, or any form of disrespect towards an adult or student are not tolerated.
2. Students' behaviour must at all times be in accordance with the Ministry of Education Student Code of Conduct.
3. Full school uniform is obligatory and must be worn during school hours and at school functions:
   • The complete school uniform must be worn by every student during school;
   • Uniform must always be clean and neat;
   • The P.E. uniform must be worn on P.E. days according to the school timetable;
   • Black, blue, white or beige jackets are permitted in winter;
   • Girls who wear Hijab should use only black, navy blue or beige Hijab in school;
   • Jeans trousers are not permitted.
4. On non-uniform occasions, dress should be appropriate to the event.
5. Attendance and punctuality:
   • All students are expected to be at school by 7:00 AM at the latest, in time for assembly;
   • Parents must inform the administration if their child is sick or will be absent, via the portal/app or by email. Students will not be admitted to class without a medical report or a letter from a parent/guardian justifying the absence;
   • Morning tardiness will not be tolerated and violators will be penalised;
   • In line with the Ministry of Education's Attendance & Absence Policy, unexcused absences are tracked and escalated as follows: a written warning after the first unexcused absence; a first official warning at 3 days; a second warning with child-protection file escalation at 6 days; a third warning at 10 days; and referral to the relevant authorities at 15 unexcused days in the school year.
6. Personal appearance:
   • Girls are not permitted to wear make-up, including kohl, or to have long or polished nails;
   • Girls who do not wear Hijab must keep their hair off their face, tied back and tidy. No jewellery is permitted;
   • Boys must have a neat, ordinary haircut; other styles and long hair are not permitted.
7. Students may not leave the school premises during school hours without an approved leave application and an issued gate pass. Any such absence must be acknowledged in the Journal by a parent/guardian.
8. Students are required to participate in all activities as instructed by school authorities.
9. Students share responsibility for the cleanliness and tidiness of their classrooms and the school environment. Litter must not be scattered, and school furniture must not be defaced or wilfully damaged.
10. Books and clothing should be clearly marked with the student's name. Students are advised not to bring items of value to school; the school accepts no responsibility for loss of or damage to a student's property, including bicycles.
11. Mobile phones and personal electronic devices (including smartwatches with messaging/camera functions) may be brought onto school premises, but must be deposited with the student's Section Supervisor on arrival each morning and will be returned at the end of the school day. A device may only be used in class where a teacher or Section Supervisor has specifically requested or permitted its use for a lesson activity. A device that is not deposited as required, or that is used without permission, will be confiscated and held securely until collected by a parent/guardian, and a warning letter will be issued. Repeated breaches will result in escalating sanctions under Section 9.
12. Students are forbidden from bringing into school, or using, any of the following: chewing gum, cigarettes or vapes, alcoholic drinks, or other dangerous or illegal substances. In the case of alcohol or other dangerous or illegal substances, the Principal may suspend the students involved and refer the matter to the Board of Management, where the question of expulsion will be considered. Parents will have the opportunity to express their views to the Board before it reaches a decision.
13. Bullying, whether verbal, physical, discriminatory or cyber/digital, is forbidden and is a serious breach of discipline (see Section 5 and the Anti-Bullying Policy).
14. Truancy is forbidden and is a serious breach of discipline.

7Academic Requirements

To enable students to work to the best of their ability and achieve their academic potential, the school requires that students:

• Show respect for the person, property and professional status of their teachers, and for the right of fellow students to work and make progress in the classroom;
• Attend class regularly and punctually;
• Have the required books, equipment and materials for each class;
• Record and complete homework to the satisfaction of their teachers.

Good study habits and skills are developed from the very beginning. Students must come well-groomed to school, be alert and attentive during lessons, and leave the classroom only with the teacher's permission. Clearly defined pathways facilitate orderly, disciplined movement of students within the school premises, and students assembling in the main hall are required to behave maturely and responsibly (no hooting, clapping or whistling).

8Promoting Positive Behaviour

Discipline at PEPS is not only about sanctions; it is equally about recognising and reinforcing good behaviour. In line with the National Education Charter's emphasis on positive school culture, PEPS will:

• Praise and reward positive behaviour which benefits others and the school community as a whole;
• Recognise students through certificates, merit systems, or Principal/class recognition for consistent good conduct;
• Use restorative approaches, where appropriate, to repair relationships following conflict, in line with the Anti-Bullying Policy's Conflict Resolution Procedure;
• Involve the School Counsellor and Social Worker early where a student would benefit from additional behavioural or emotional support.

9Code of Behaviour: Sanctions

The Ministry of Education has set a Code of Behaviour, which has been shared with all students and parents and is available on the school website and app. Discipline begins in the classroom and is essential to a good learning environment. In general, teachers handle problems and apply their own sanctions, and for the great majority of students the question of formal sanctions does not arise. However, sanctions will be applied where breaches of our Code of Behaviour occur, implemented according to the age of the student and the seriousness of the action.

Primary Students

With primary students, the teacher or a person in authority should:

• Reason with the pupil;
• Reprimand verbally, including advice on how to improve;
• Temporarily separate the student from peers within the class, or temporarily send them to another class;
• Prescribe extra work;
• Suspend privileges;
• Give detention during break;
• Communicate with parents;
• Refer to the Principal or an SLT member for a further meeting with parents.

10Disciplinary Process (Secondary Students)

1. Teachers record details of unacceptable behaviour or failure to complete homework in the class Pink Book and the student/parent portal, enabling direct communication between teacher and parent.
2. On the third recorded offence, the School Counsellor issues after-school detention and sends a letter informing parents of the incident and detention.
3. Serious transgressions — such as suspected forged notes, smoking or vaping, or defacing school property — are reported to the Section Supervisor on the first offence. The Section Supervisor communicates the incident to the School Counsellor and management to impose detention and inform parents. On a second such offence, the School Counsellor reviews the situation and takes appropriate action in line with the Ministry of Education Code of Behaviour. This procedure is followed except where it is judged to be in the student's best interest to act otherwise.
4. Bullying is considered a most serious offence and is dealt with by the Social Worker, School Counsellor and Principal, in line with the Anti-Bullying Policy.
5. The Principal and Vice-Principal reserve the right to become involved in any disciplinary matter, or to instruct the relevant Year Head or Section Supervisor to deal with a matter, where such involvement is judged necessary.

11Disciplinary Committee

The Disciplinary Committee is usually composed of four persons: the Vice-Principal, the relevant Section Head, the Social Worker and the School Counsellor. The Child Protection Coordinator is included where a case involves a safeguarding or bullying concern.

12Detention

1. Teachers may impose detention for misbehaviour in class. This may take place at lunchtime and will be noted in the student's Journal by the teacher concerned.
2. A student will receive detention when three offences have been noted in their Journal, or three unexplained lates have been noted in their Journal. Unexplained lates are counted separately from other recorded offences over the academic year. Parents/guardians are required to sign the Journal acknowledging the detention.
3. Mobile Phone / Device Policy: as set out in Section 6, mobile phones and personal electronic devices must be deposited with the student's Section Supervisor on arrival and collected at the end of the school day. A device that is not deposited as required, or that is used in class without permission, will be confiscated and held securely until collected by a parent/guardian, and a warning letter will be issued together with a two-hour detention. Repeated breaches will result in escalating sanctions, up to and including suspension.

13Suspension

Only the School Principal may suspend a student from school. In cases of gross misbehaviour, the Principal may sanction an immediate suspension, pending discussion with parents/guardians and a review of the incident. Except in exceptional circumstances, written notification of the suspension and its duration will be given to parents/guardians.

Students are regarded as being in the care of their parents/guardians during any period of suspension from school. Return to school following a period of suspension may be subject to the student's signed acceptance of the school's Code of Discipline, and to any further conditions the school deems necessary in the circumstances.

14Expulsion

The School Principal, based on a decision of the Board of Management, has the power to expel a student. Expulsion is a last resort, considered where the continued attendance of the student is, in the Board's view, harmful to the education, health or safety of other students or any member of the school community, and/or where the student can no longer benefit from remaining at the school.

Please refer to the Student Handbook for full details of the Ministry of Education Code of Conduct.

15Right of Appeal

Parents/guardians who wish to appeal a suspension or a decision referred to the Board of Management may submit a written appeal to the Principal within five school days of being notified of the decision, setting out the grounds for appeal. The Board of Management will review the appeal and communicate its decision to the family in writing within a reasonable timeframe. Submitting an appeal does not automatically suspend the original decision unless the Board determines otherwise.

16Policy Links

• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
• Wellbeing Policy
• E-Safety / Acceptable Use Policy
• Attendance Policy

17Monitoring & Evaluation

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Senior Leadership Team, Social Worker and Counsellor, or sooner if required by changes in SPEA/MOE regulation. The Child Protection Coordinator is responsible for monitoring bullying-related disciplinary cases in partnership with the Safeguarding & Child Protection lead.