All boys are expected to be available for extra-curricular activities and  events as and when required.

These will mainly involve official sports fixtures, practices, educational visits, choral and orchestral concerts, school drama productions and rehearsals and inter-school competitions.  A written note addressed to the PE/Games teacher is required if a boy needs to be excused from PE/Games through illness or injury. 

Any request for a boy to be excused from an extra-curricular activity should be made in writing by the parents and addressed to the Principal, with the maximum possible notice being given.  No boy should ever let down a school team.

The School Secretary should be notified of any change of address or telephone number by emailing secretary@st-ambrosecollege.org.uk.

The School reserves the right to monitor a boy’s general appearance. The school uniform (blazer, tie, white shirt, black or dark grey trousers) must be worn. If a pullover is worn it should be the type supplied by the school. Only black shoes are allowed. Sports cross-over training shoes, boots, patent leather or suede shoes are not permitted. Any outlandish style of footwear or socks is prohibited. Socks must be dark in colour and of a standard length. Trainer socks or white sports socks are not permitted unless being used for sports. All students are expected to be provided with the correct games and PE kit. 

All items of clothing (and equipment) should be marked clearly and permanently with the owner’s name. Outdoor coats must not have large stickers, slogans or words. Egregious hairstyles are not permitted (please see the Hair Policy on the Policies and Procedures page for more in-depth guidance) nor is any kind of earring or jewellery.  

Only authorised badges may be worn on the blazer. The blazer must be worn at all times in the school buildings and en route to and from school, except when a teacher allows its removal in a specific classroom. Boys should be proud of the school uniform and the College and take a pride in their own appearance at all times.

Dark business suit with a white or pale blue shirt and a Sixth Form Tie. Smart leather or leather-type dark shoes and dark socks.

A boy is expected to work conscientiously and co-operatively to the best of his ability in all subjects.  Boys should listen to homework instructions carefully and write them down in their student planners.  Planners must be on their desks at the start of each lesson. 

Homework should be completed neatly and conscientiously and handed in promptly when required.  Boys should take good care of all books.  Boys' own computer games must not be used on College computers.

The Principal, Head of Year and Form Tutor should be informed of any special health problem or medical condition. Boys should report any illness, accident or injury, or any dangerous situation immediately to the nearest teacher.

Office staff have special responsibility for dealing with illness and injuries. Boys should make sure that they know what to do if there is an emergency or fire drill, be aware of the notice in the classroom and listen to the Form Tutor’s instructions. 

Boys must never wander onto the playing fields unless they are members of an official team supervised by a member of staff. PE/Games equipment and activities can be dangerous unless properly supervised and controlled.

Boys are expected to treat School buildings, furniture, books and equipment with respect. All wilful or careless damage or loss must be paid for. Damage or breakage should be reported at once.

• Bicycles must be left in the bicycle area and secured with a good lock.
• No boy must bring to school any valuables unless specific permission has been given by a teacher. Boys who choose to bring valuables to school are responsible for such items at all times and do so at their own risk.
• Litter must be placed in the bins provided. Those that drop litter will be given litter picking duties and an automatic SLT detention.

General Standards

Presentation: Students should look presentable in school. ‘Hoodies’ are not allowed; blazers should be worn at all times.

Egregious: Student hair should be off the collar, not in their eyes or not dyed. Haircuts should not be shorter than a number 2. Skin fades are not acceptable. Please see the hair policy in the appendix of this policy for further details.

Shirts: These should be tucked in at all times with the top button done up.

Shoes: Students should be wearing the appropriate school shoes. Trainers/sports shoes/suede shoes are not part of the uniform.

Socks: These should be plain, dark in colour and of a standard length. Trainer socks or sports socks are not permitted. If a pupil is deemed to be wearing inappropriate socks he will be provided with black socks from reception which will need to be washed and returned.

Ties: These should always show at least 4 stripes and be tied correctly around the collar.

House Badges: These are part of the uniform and should be worn on the lapel at all times. Failure to meet these expectations will result in a suitable sanction set by a member of staff. Additional information regarding general standards can be found in student planners.

Mobile Phones in School - Years 7-11

Mobile phones should not be seen or heard at any time during the school day unless specifically requested to by staff to aid teaching and learning on very rare occasions such as to take photos of Art or DT work to aid teaching and learning.

The College strictly prohibits photo or videos being taken of others without their permission.

Students are not allowed to check the time on mobile phones or complete research on mobile phones. There may be exceptions during exam seasons and these will be clearly communicated.

Students needing to contact home for any reason can do so via the school office, or, on rare occasions on their mobile phones with staff permission/supervision. Parents needing to contact their children should also do so via the school office and not directly call or message students as this facilitates use of mobile phones and will result in confiscation.

Mobile phones must be turned off on the buses or before entering the College grounds and associated ear/headphones also removed and put away. Phones should not be turned on again until you have left the College grounds.

Any mobile phone seen or heard will be confiscated until the end of the day in the first instance and the student will be issued with an SLT detention. At the end of the day the phone can be handed back to the student by SAC staff.

Students offending for a second time will have their phone confiscated for 2 school days following the confiscation and the student will be issued with an SLT detention. The phone can be collected by a parent/carer after the period of confiscation has ended.

Third offences will result in a Saturday detention, phone confiscated for one week and the students will be banned from bringing a phone into school for the remainder of the academic year.

Once a decision has been made to confiscate a mobile phone, no negotiation will be entered into. Parents concerned about safety will be advised to buy a low-cost mobile phone and a pay as you go SIM card for the duration of any confiscation.

Mobile Phones in School - Sixth Form

If a member of the Sixth Form is found using a mobile phone on the premises, other than on the third floor (or other designated area) then it is likely to be held by staff until the end of the day for the first confiscation or until retrieved by a parent for subsequent confiscations. Headphones should also not be used in transit and will be taken by a member of staff if they are in/on anywhere other than sixth form areas.

At break and lunchtime mobile phones may only be used in the common room, 6th form study areas on the top floor and when off site. Sanctions for 6th Form students not adhering to these rules are the same as for Years 7-11.

Items prohibited to be brought into the College or it grounds by any student include:

1. Alcohol

2. Cigarettes or tobacco of any kind

3. Vaping paraphernalia

4. Any form of weapon/item that could be used to cause serious harm or be used to intimidate others and wouldn’t ordinarily be required in an educational setting.

5. Drugs of any kind (including prescription drugs without prior agreement)

6. Any form of imitation weapon

7. Any form of pornography

8. Energy drinks containing enhancements

9. Explosive devices or fireworks of any kind

10.Anything that could be deemed a fire hazard including matches and lighters

11.Anything that could be used to cause disruption to the calm environment expected around the college via so called ‘pranks’.

12.Literature that promotes hate and division and goes against the Catholic values of the College

13.Any items which would be illegal to purchase by under 18s

This list in non-exhaustive and would include any other item that could be deemed inappropriate for use within an educational setting or has potential to offend, cause harm or distress to others.

Please note:

• Mobile phones and ear/headphones are considered to be banned items if used at times and/or in areas which are against the policy. It will be assumed that use of ear/headphones is linked to a student’s mobile phone and therefore both the ear/headphones and mobile phone will be confiscated in line with the mobile phone policy above.

The College has the legal right to enforce search powers as detail in the DfE guidance below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/searching-screening-and-confiscation 

For full details, please refer to the Behaviour and Discipline Policy of the Policies and Procedures section of the website 

Summary

A pupil who is judged to have acted against the good order, or the accepted standards of the College may incur one of the following sanctions:

(a) Loss of credit in SIMS;

(b) an imposition – boys may be given a Behaviour Record which will accumulate and result in further sanctions (see College Behaviour Policy for full details)

(c) put on report

(d) given a detention (in the case of an after school detention a 24 hours’ notice will normally be given)

(e) internal isolation

(f) internal exclusion

(g) fixed term exclusion (suspension) or permanent exclusion

Prefects are appointed to help the staff maintain good order and discipline.  Prefects should be respected by all students.

It is forbidden to bring on to the school premises or have in one’s possession any material which could be a source of physical or moral danger to oneself or others, or which could be considered a nuisance.  Smoking is forbidden.

Interference with the computer network, security system or with the fire alarm or fire appliances will be considered a serious offence.  Chewing gum is banned because of disposal difficulties.

Any boy dealing in illegal drugs in the College, having them in his possession or in any way promoting them will be expelled. Strong action will be taken against anyone bringing to the College, possessing or distributing pornographic or obscene material by any means.

Bullying of any kind is not to be tolerated; general advice is given to all boys during assemblies and PSHE lessons. If you feel that you are being bullied you should see an appropriate teacher, usually your Form Tutor.  If you think that another boy is being bullied, it is your duty to report the matter to a teacher.

Only sixth formers are allowed out of school at lunch time.

Boys should not eat or drink above the ground floor. 

Boys must not sell anything at all to other boys at school.   It is strictly forbidden to take money off any other boy for any use.