WHITGIFT SCHOOL

SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Colleagues responsible for this policy:

Dayle Kirby (Deputy Head, Pastoral)

Email: [email protected]

Adrian Norris (Assistant Head, Pastoral & Boarding)

Email: [email protected]

Policy reviewed: June 2024

Next review: June 2025

General

The School Rules and Regulations are designed to promote high standards of behaviour in and
around the School and on any School visit or activity. They are based on clear values of humility,
hard work, a wide outlook, inclusivity and tolerance, which are in line with the School’s aims
and values and also apply in today’s society. Students are required to display good manners,
common sense, honesty and consideration for others at all times. These rules place emphasis
on positive behaviour and seek to promote an excellent teaching and learning environment in
which all students can realise their potential. They recognise the School’s duty to safeguard
and protect the welfare of all students, and to take action against inequalities and discrimination
of any kind. We rely on a culture of mutual respect between students, staff and parents. We
undertake to promote these rules through assemblies, house meetings, form periods, staff
induction and INSET, and parent meetings and information evenings.

The published rules are not intended to be exhaustive. Students will be subject to School
discipline at any time if their behaviour runs counter to our values.

Compliance with the School Rules and Regulations, together with those amendments which
are made from time to time, is a condition of a student's continued membership of the School.
Any action which is prejudicial to the good order, or the good name, of the School will be
regarded as an offence against school discipline.

Attendance

Every student is required to be in attendance on all school days, unless they are prevented by
ill-health or other unavoidable cause. Any request for a student to have leave of absence from
School must be made by a parent or guardian in writing in advance. This should be to the Head
of Year, who will refer it to the Deputy Head (Academic) or to the Headmaster for approval.
Term dates are published at least one year in advance, and parents and guardians should
not expect permission to be given for family holidays in term-time.

Leave of absence may be granted for reasons of health, on compassionate grounds, or on

grounds of educational benefit. Parents and guardians are asked to telephone the School Office
on the morning of the day of absence to confirm that their son will not be attending. Following
absence, due to illness or other unavoidable cause, parents must send an email to the tutor to
explain the absence, at the earliest opportunity. In the event of absence due to illness, a medical
certificate may be required. If a student is not fit to take a full part in School life and activities,
this must be stated clearly in an email by a parent or guardian.

All students are expected to attend punctually; they must be on School premises by
8.25am at the latest, in readiness to register. If they are late, they must sign in with the
prefect on duty on The Terrace or at North Entrance Reception. A serious view is taken of
repeated lateness. No student should arrive before 7.00am unless participating in a supervised
School activity.

Students must attend assemblies, house meetings, and all timetabled periods and other School
commitments throughout the term. They are obliged to take part in games and other out-of-
school activities, as required by the Headmaster, and to attend rehearsals, practices, matches,
on school days, and on Saturdays, unless specifically exempted by the Director of Junior Years,
Director of Middle Years or Director of Sixth Form.

During normal school hours, students below the Sixth Form may not leave the premises at any
time without specific permission from the relevant Head of Year. Sixth Form students may leave
the School premises during the lunch period, between 1.00 and 1.50pm, if not required for a
lesson or activity. They are required to sign out and back in and may only leave and re-enter
the School site by the main entrance. Sixth Form students may not leave the School premises
at any other time during the School day, unless they are involved in organised School activities
or given specific permission by their Head of Year or a senior member of staff. This privilege is
at the discretion of the Director of Sixth Form and may be removed at any time.

After October half term (2024), students whose punctuality, attendance and academic effort
pose no cause for concern will be granted permission to go into South Croydon during period 5
if they have a free period, should they so wish, but they will need to obtain a departure ‘token’
from North Entrance Reception to be able to pass through the gate before 1pm.

Following October half term, permission will be granted to students whose attendance,
punctuality and academic performance do not cause concern, to leave school at 3pm on any
day when they do not have a timetabled lesson during Period 7 or any after-school commitments.
This privilege will be reviewed every half term for all students. Where a student’s punctuality is
a cause for concern, they will need to demonstrate a sustained period of adherence to the rules
for this privilege to be granted to them. The Director of Sixth Form will be the arbiter of who will
and who will not be allowed to depart early. Any early leavers will need to collect the appropriate
token from North Entrance Reception to leave before 3.45pm and ensure they sign out normally.
After School

All students must leave the School grounds by 4.00pm. unless they are working in the School
Library, in the Sixth Form Centre, in a classroom allocated for the purpose, or taking part in an
organised School activity. Students who return from a School commitment after this time must
ensure that their parents or guardians are informed and make arrangements to travel home as
quickly as possible. Students taking the school bus at the end of the day must remain on site
and in an appropriate area/activity as listed above.

Entering and leaving the School grounds

Students must enter and leave the School grounds by the main gates in Nottingham Road or
the back gate on to Haling Park Road between the hours of 7.00am – 8.25am and 3.45pm –
5.15pm. Parents and guardians bringing their sons to and collecting their sons from School
should drop/collect them outside the School grounds. No parent or guardian is permitted to
drive into School to drop/collect students, unless given specific permission by a senior member
of staff. (This may be granted in the case of a physical condition or injury.) Once students have
left School, they should not linger outside the School grounds.

There is a prescribed pedestrian route between South Croydon Station and the School.
Please refer to this separate policy for details.

Bounds
No student is allowed in the following areas except under the supervision of a member of staff:

• The Staff Common Room, staff offices, the Staff Dining Room, the swimming pool, science
laboratories, store rooms and preparation rooms, the indoor sports facilities, the all-
weather facilities (including the tennis courts), the cricket nets, the golf facility, the Coach
Park, the Founder’s Room, the Old Library, the Design and Technology workshops, the
Grounds and Maintenance workshops, the area behind the Fives Courts and wash down
area that is adjacent to the all-weather facility, the area behind the Concert Hall / Old
Squash Courts / Performing Arts Centre, the wash-down area near the all-weather facility
and the Photocopying Room.

Other rooms and areas may be designated as out of bounds from time to time.

The boarding house is out of bounds to all students at set times, as advertised, and to non-
boarders at all times, unless specific permission is given by Founder’s House staff.

The Founder’s Garden is accessible for students but should not be used as a play area; the
highest standards of behaviour are expected. The Water Gardens are accessible to students
during lunchtime and are accessed by the smartcard; there are further restrictions on times for
this area, which are communicated as needed.

The grounds of Whitgift House are out of bounds.

The Andrew Quadrangle can be used by all students but must be respected. Food is not to be
eaten by students in the Andrew Quadrangle due to the presence of birds.
The School premises are out of bounds to all students overnight, unless they are taking part in
a School activity supervised by a member of staff. A very serious view will be taken of any
student in breach of this rule and parents/guardians and students should be aware that, in a
serious case, suspension or permanent exclusion could be imposed.

The Bigside Car Park is out of bounds to students, unless they are transiting through from the
Haling Park Road entrance or arriving and departing by car, minibus or coach.

Boarding

Additional rules and regulations apply to boarders and are outlined in the Boarding Handbook
and by Founder’s House staff as part of the induction process to boarding at Whitgift. Failure
to follow School Rules and Regulations or Boarding Rules can result in School or House
sanctions, including the removal of the right to board, suspension and permanent exclusion.

Circulation

Running is forbidden in all corridors, the Founder’s Garden and Andrew Quadrangle. Students
waiting outside classrooms before lessons should wait in line against the wall.

Motor Vehicles

Sixth Form students may drive to School and park nearby. They are not permitted to return to
their cars at any time during the School day. There is no parking available for Sixth Form
students at Whitgift School, except prefects with the approval of the Assistant Head (Pastoral
and Boarding). No other student is permitted access to the School whilst driving a car at any
time, including during the holidays. Permission to ride a motorcycle or moped to School is
unlikely to be given on grounds of safety. The purpose of these rules is to ensure, as far as
possible, the safety of students and of all those who use the School grounds.

Bicycles

Bicycles are not to be ridden in the School grounds, except when coming to or leaving the
School. Bicycles must be left locked in the area allocated. A cycling helmet, which accords
with the relevant safety standards, must be worn and cycling on school grounds must be safe
and slow.

Work and Private Study

Students are expected to complete all study tasks and work set by teaching staff to the best of
their ability, without recourse to the work of other students. It should be their own work and
reflect good effort and careful presentation. Plagiarism – the copying of words or presenting of
ideas from another source and passing this off by a student as their own work – is regarded as
extremely serious and will result in a disciplinary sanction. This also applies to the use of
Artificial Intelligence. Teachers at Whitgift School may direct students to use AI but this is
managed carefully. Academic honesty is expected of students at all times and, if a student is in
any doubt, assistance must always be sought from the teacher concerned.

All students are expected to demonstrate the highest levels of application and behaviour in
lessons and study periods. Poor behaviour in a classroom or library disrupts the learning of the
student concerned and of others and will not be tolerated. Students who do not accord with the
highest standards of behaviour will face disciplinary sanctions. Persistent disruption will call
into question a student’s right to continue his education at Whitgift.

Arrangements for private study are published by the Director of Sixth Form or the relevant Head
of Year. During private study periods, Sixth Form students should be in the Raeburn Library, a
designated classroom, or else working or reading quietly in the Sixth Form Common Room
where a high standard of behaviour is expected at all times. Students may also work in Sixth
Form areas designated by the Head of Year, or by individual departments. Students who are
failing to keep up with their work, or whose work or behaviour is unsatisfactory, may be listed
for specific private study sessions.

Sixth Form students may not leave the School buildings during any private study periods, unless
they have specific permission from the Director of Sixth Form.

Examinations

The School issues complete instructions for all internal and public examinations which should
be followed by all students.

Libraries

Particular regulations for the use of School libraries are published by the Head Librarian.

Notices

Students have a responsibility to consult relevant noticeboards, the plasma screens and year
group email messages, and to act upon notices from staff. In particular, students are required
to check for notices and announcements from their Head of Year on a daily basis.

Printed notices may be placed only on the boards provided and only by those students
authorised to use them. All notices are to be sensibly worded and in accordance with
conventional "norms" of good taste, and must be agreed by the member of staff in charge of
the relevant activity before posting. The Deputy Head (Pastoral) or another senior member of
staff may be consulted if there are queries about the suitability of a notice or plasma screen
display.

Property

Respect for the individual and for individual property is a prerequisite of attendance at Whitgift
School. Theft is a very serious offence and the School will not hesitate to inform the police if
necessary. Any student engaging in theft cannot expect to remain a member of the
School community.
All property must be clearly marked with the owner's name. Lockers are to be kept locked and
all reasonable steps taken to secure belongings. The School does not accept responsibility for
loss or damage to a student's property, and parents and guardians are advised to include any
valuable items as an all-risks extension to their household insurance policy.

Items of lost property will be placed in the Pound (located in the School Shop), the times of
opening and regulations for which are posted. All unmarked and unclaimed articles will be
disposed of at the end of each term. The loss or discovery of any money or valuables is to be
reported to the Assistant Head (Pastoral and Boarding) or to the Head of Year or, if they are
not available, to a any other member of staff. Valuables found lying about are to be handed in
to the School Office for safe keeping. The borrowing of any property is forbidden, unless the
owner has given their prior permission. All students are expected to co-operate in the prevention
of theft, not least by safeguarding their own belongings. Items of significant value or large cash
amounts should not be brought to School. It is also recommended that expensive phones or
other items should not be brought to School, unless it is necessary. It is essential that expensive
items are looked after by the individual and in particular, are not left in bags around the School.

During PE, Games, house activities and “turnouts”, any valuables should be handed to the
member of staff in charge of that activity and collected at the end of the session.

All School property should be treated with the utmost respect at all times. Any damage
whatsoever should be reported immediately to the nearest member of staff.

Mobile Devices

There is a Mobile Devices Acceptable Use Policy governing permissible use of mobile
phones and other devices. Please refer to this separate policy for details.

Miscellaneous

Laser pens, computer games and other electrical devices are not to be brought to or used at
School.

Chewing gum should not be brought or used whilst under School discipline.

Any form of gambling is forbidden.

Buying and selling are forbidden, except with the authority of the relevant Head of Year or as
authorised by the Headmaster. Any student engaging in selling on stolen items, either to
another student or to someone outside the School, cannot expect to remain a part of the School
community. This is a serious offence and the police will be informed if necessary.

The possession or distribution of pornographic material is strictly forbidden at all times and on
all occasions when School Rules and Regulations apply.

No student is allowed to visit a public house or betting shop, either during School hours, while
travelling between School and home, or whilst under School discipline.
Exemplary behaviour on public transport and in public places is expected. It is particularly
important that exemplary behaviour is shown at South Croydon Station, where a large number
of students take the train along with members of the public. Good behaviour is also essential at
stations in order to avoid serious injury. Poor behaviour when travelling to and from School
will be dealt with through disciplinary sanctions.
Students should not consume take-away food in the street while in School uniform. Students
may only eat in the dining hall, at their designated tuck shop areas, or in the case of Sixth
Formers, in the Sixth Form Common Centre or Sixth Form Café. It is not permitted to consume
food or drink in classrooms or the corridors.

Because of the detrimental effect that evening or weekend jobs may have on a student's work
or ability to complete homework, all students are required to seek their Head of Year’s
permission before accepting any paid employment. Permission for jobs on weekday evenings
will only be given as an exception. In general, employment should be taken between Friday
evening and Sunday evening and should not involve more than eight hours’ work.

The animals kept at the School should not be fed at any time.

Bullying

Bullying of any kind, including cyberbullying, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Please refer to the School’s Anti-Bullying Policy for details of how the School addresses
bullying.

Internet

Use of the internet is governed by the School’s Online Safety Policy and the Acceptable
Use Policy, which all students agree to follow when using a School device or accessing
the School’s network.

Health and Safety

Games may not be played on The Terrace, in the Andrew Quadrangle, in the Founder’s
Garden, or near the Concert Hall. Games, including all hard ball games, are not to be played in
these areas, or on the sloping ground above North Field, on the bank above South Field, in the
region of the War Memorial, in the vicinity of the School buildings, or within the School itself,
other than in designated areas.

Games should only be played in those areas designated by staff. Matches of football are not
permitted, but skill-based games (e.g. “keepy-uppies”) are permitted. Soft ball games with
sponge balls are permitted in other areas specified by staff.

Throwing snowballs is not permitted.

The following are not to be brought to School, nor are they to be brought or acquired on any
occasion when School Rules and Regulations apply:
• Fireworks, matches, cigarette lighters and aerosol sprays
• Knives, guns, catapults, shotgun cartridges and similar offensive weapons or equipment
• Cigarettes, vapes and other smoking materials

Smoking and vaping are forbidden at all times whilst under School discipline. For the purposes
of School policy, electronic cigarettes, vapes and all other ‘smoking’ devices should be treated
the same as tobacco in the enforcement of School Rules and Regulations. The purchase, sale,
use or possession of such devices is prohibited at School, when travelling to and from School
and on School trips or activities.

No student may bring alcoholic drinks onto the School premises. No alcoholic drink may be
consumed on School premises, unless, in the case of certain events involving members of the
Sixth Form, the member of staff responsible has obtained specific prior permission from the
Headmaster.

Indoor Sports Facilities

Regulations governing the use of these facilities are published separately.

Illegal substances

Any drug-related offence, including the possession or distribution of illegal substances,

is regarded extremely seriously and the School will always inform the police of any drug-
related incident. Please refer to the School’s Substance Use and Misuse (Education)
Policy and the Substance Use and Misuse (Discipline) Policy for full details of how the
School addresses these matters.

Sickness, Accident and Emergency

Students injured in any way, or who become ill while at School, are to report firstly to the
member of staff in charge of their class or activity, and then to the Medical Centre. No student
may leave School to go home, because of accident or illness, unless he has been given
permission to do so by a School Nurse, their Head of Year or another senior member of staff.
In the event of an emergency, students should immediately contact the nearest member of staff,
the School Office or a Porter.

Fire Regulations

Fire regulations are published separately. In the event of a fire being discovered, a member of
staff must immediately be informed, and the nearest alarm sounded. If the alarm sounds,
students are immediately to leave the building in which they are being taught, using the nearest
exit, and walk quietly to the assembly area on Little Side where they should assemble in forms.
Activation of the fire alarm automatically calls the Fire Service to the School. Misuse of the fire
alarm causes disruption both to the Fire Service, the local community and the whole School
community and is deemed a serious disciplinary matter.
Litter

It is a breach of School Rules and Regulations to drop litter. Litter must be placed in the bins
provided and students are expected to assist in keeping the grounds and all areas of the School
tidy and litter free.

Dress and Appearance

Suitable dress and appearance are an essential prerequisite of membership of the School.
Students are expected to be smartly turned out at all times with clothes and shoes clean and
according with the uniform regulations.

The rules regarding uniform at Whitgift have a very clear rationale, and that is that we are a
community with a corporate identity. Students who look smart can give a positive impression of
the School to visitors and members of the wider community. Staff and parents need to work
together to achieve consistency with regard to the following regulations:

• Hair – This should be kept clean, tidy, well-groomed, and must not be long enough to draw
attention. It must be of a natural colour and culturally appropriate. Extreme or ostentatious
styles or fashions should be avoided.
• Facial hair – Students must be clean-shaven unless prior written approval has been given
due to religious, cultural or medical reasons. In such cases, beards should be kept neat
and tidy. (The Proctor keeps a list of students exempt from the regulation on being clean-
shaven and their pictures are shared discreetly with staff.)
• Shoes – These must be plain black, without buckles or conspicuous designer names.
• School Bags – The School Shop sells three approved bags, with or without the School
crest. All students from the Lower First up to and including the Fifth Form must only use
these bags.
• School Pullover – Students may only wear the regulation pullover, and no other. Hooded
garments are not permitted.
• Ties – These to be worn at the correct length, with an appropriate sized knot.
• Shirts – These are to be tucked in, sleeves down and top buttons done up. During hot
weather, when ‘shirt sleeve order’ is declared by the Senior Deputy, shirts may be neatly
rolled above the elbow but they must still be tucked in, with top buttons done up.
• Socks – These should be of a dark colour e.g. black or grey
• Sports Kit – Only the approved kit, available from the School Shop, may be worn.
Students must not leave the School wearing sports kit or CCF uniform, unless they have
been given permission by a senior member of staff. Under all other circumstances, they
must change back into their School uniform.
• Jewellery – For students from the Lower First Form to the Fifth Form, no jewellery or other
ornaments may be worn. In the Sixth Form, students may choose to wear a ring, and a
discreet, hidden chain or bracelet, in addition to a watch. Earrings are not permitted.
• Jackets/Blazers – These are to be worn in corridors and in lessons, unless permission is
given otherwise by a member of staff.
• Key Chains – These must not be ostentatious.

Students must wear their uniform correctly, from their departure from home in the morning until
their return home. This also applies to attendance at School occasions, unless special
permission to the contrary is given in advance.
In all matters of dress and appearance, the arbiter of what is acceptable is the Headmaster. A
student whose dress or appearance is unsatisfactory may be sent home.

Students playing in inter-school fixtures, or taking part in School activities, whether during the
normal School week or on Saturdays, must attend in School attire. This applies whether the
fixture is at home or away, unless specific instructions to the contrary have been issued. All
items of clothing must be clearly marked with the student’s name.

For safety reasons, all students must ensure that they can be identified at any time. The wearing
of costumes or fancy dress is also prohibited, except with the permission of a member of staff
e.g. for a school play or for a charity event.

Sanctions

(a) Instances of poor work or behaviour will usually be dealt with by the member of staff
responsible for the lesson or activity. More serious breaches of School Rules and
Regulations may be referred by a member of staff to the tutor, or to the Head of Year, or to
the Assistant Head (Pastoral and Boarding), or to another member of the Senior Leadership
Team, who may need to bring the matter to the attention of the Headmaster. Year group
detentions or Proctor’s Detention may be required of a student for an unacceptable
standard of work or behaviour.

(b) In the case of a serious breach of the School Rules and Regulations, a student may be
placed in a Sectional Detention, when the student's presence, in School uniform, will be
required on a Friday after school. More serious breaches may result in the issuing of a
Headmaster’s Detention, when the student is required to attend School for three hours on
a Saturday morning, again, in uniform.

(c) In addition, the Headmaster may suspend any student from School or may require the
permanent exclusion of any student for the following reasons:

• for a major or persistent breach of the School Rules and Regulations;

• for exercising a harmful influence in any way;
• for failing to make proper use of the education provided at the School, including where this
failure is to the detriment of other members of the School; or
• for any other good or necessary reason.

Should permanent exclusion occur the Governors have laid down procedures which
include a mechanism for review.

(d) Students should always have regard for the good name of the School and their behaviour
should not bring that name into disrepute.

Disciplinary Points System

Students who persistently disregard the School Rules and Regulations may cause disruption
to their own education and to that of their peers, as well as being a negative influence on the
School community as a whole. The following Disciplinary Points System seeks to reinforce to
all students and parents/guardians that poor discipline at Whitgift is unacceptable and that
persistent flouting of the School Rules and Regulations will lead to the application of severe
sanctions.

Serious sanctions are not given lightly. Headmaster’s Detentions are imposed only by the
Headmaster, the Senior Deputy, the Deputy Heads, the Assistant Head (Pastoral & Boarding),
the Proctor, or the Directors of Section. Suspensions are only imposed by the Headmaster or
the Senior Deputy, after discussion with senior members of staff. Significant punishments
imposed at Whitgift carry a tariff which is cumulative over a rolling 12-month period.

Suspension 6 disciplinary points

Headmaster’s Detention 4 disciplinary points
Sectional Detention 2 disciplinary points

Points may be reduced, depending on the circumstances. For example, mitigating factors may
include if the student has Special Educational Needs/Disabilities, if they admitted the offence,
or if there was significant provocation. In certain circumstances, such as where a student has a
Special Educational Need/Disability which has caused the poor disciplinary behaviour, other
measures may be recommended e.g. collaboration with the School’s Learning Support
Department or with other support systems. This is entirely at the discretion of the Headmaster.

Any student accumulating 12 disciplinary points in a 12-month period cannot expect to continue
their education at Whitgift. Once the 12-point limit has been reached or exceeded a review of
the student’s disciplinary record will be undertaken by the Headmaster in discussions with
parents or guardians and senior staff. A decision will then be taken as to whether the student
concerned should be allowed to retain his place at Whitgift.

10 or more points accumulated by a student in the 12-month period before they enter the Lower
Sixth will question their automatic entry into the Sixth Form.

Only points issued within the past 12 months will contribute to a student’s disciplinary points
total. Sanctions prior to the 12-month period will be disregarded with as far as the points total
but will remain on file and could be referred to when a disciplinary review is being undertaken.

Records are kept of all sanctions to support positive behaviour and to monitor the equity of the
sanctions system.