Unit_302_–_Schools_as_Organisations

Unit 302 – Unit 302 – Schools as organisations Learning Outcome 5: Understand the purpose of school policies and procedures Schools should provide a caring, constructive learning environment for pupils and safe, supportive working conditions for staff. Staff and pupils have the right to work and learn in a climate of respect. To achieve and maintain such order schools have policies and procedures. Policies and procedures are important because they set rules. An effective policy should provide a sound basis upon which more detailed actions, conduct, principles and plans can be layered. It should give members of staff an indication of what their role might be in implementing it. Most importantly it should provide a united approach that distinguishes the school. It is through the setting and the monitoring and evaluation of its implementation that the governing body and head teacher fulfils its main purpose of raising standards and securing the welfare of its pupils but the responsibility of the government to enforce such strategies are in place. School policies should be readily available for the whole school community. Copies of policies and procedures should be available in the school reception or on the school website but this is not always the case in all schools. All staff within the school should have access and read all school policies and procedures so that they have an understanding and basic knowledge of them but this is also not the case in all schools. Policies and procedures that relate to staff are confidentiality, code of conduct and discipline and grievance. In summary staff need to ensure they use confidentiality where needed. To be aware where they discuss sensitive information and with whom they are talking to. Report and record using appropriate channels and documents. To up hold a certain standard and how they present themselves to children, other staff, outside agencies and parents. Pupil welfare policies and procedures are Child protection, behaviour and PSHE. These have quite in depth strategies. To summarise these if a child discloses sensitive information they are taken to designated teacher where word for word statements are taken without leading questions, promised are never made to them and they are always kept informed of what is happening. Good behaviour is encouraged, praised and rewarded. Feed back to class teacher is essential if good or bad behaviour as they need to be aware. PSHE is to promote positive sense of self, good relationship with others and to understand differences between people or children and their views. Polices and procedures relating to teaching and learning are teaching and learning, literacy and numeracy. To summarise these is to make pupils feel safe and secure in the learning environment. To acknowledge different learning capabilities and adapt the curriculum to fit pupils abilities and styles. To make sure classrooms are well organised, well stocked and lesson are stimulating and appropriate. Policies and procedures relating to equality, diversity and inclusion include Equal Opportunities, Inclusion and Special Educational Needs. When summarised these mean that all children are offered and given the best opportunities to achieve and develop their learning skills to the best of their capabilities in the learning environment. Policies and procedures relating to parental engagement include confidentiality, home-school agreement and access to teaching staff. Confidentiality means parental permission, parents have access to their child’s records and all personal information is treated confidential and lock away. Home-school agreement is a written agreement which is signed by all involved and includes schools aims, values and respective responsibilities. Access to teaching staff is to be able to make appointments to see class teacher, parents’ evenings and staff visibly available and approachable at appropriate times. If there are no policies or procedures than it would basically be a lawless society. A teacher could teach whatever they wanted and then test or assess pupils on an entirely different matter. Pupils could choose to attend class or wander in and out as they pleased which would cause interruptions and inadequate learning. There would be no accountability so the need for policies and procedures are paramount to the stability of schools, staff and pupils. Signature date date