​We believe every student in our school community has the right to learn, and disruptive or poor behaviour is not tolerated. It is always addressed with appropriate sanctions, and students are encouraged to understand that their actions have consequences. We focus on helping students make responsible choices, take ownership of their actions, and make amends when they behave inappropriately. The Education and Inspections Act 2006 grants teachers and school staff the authority to discipline students for breaches of school rules, failure to follow instructions, or other unacceptable behaviour, provided the sanctions are fair and proportionate. At St John Fisher, this power extends to Pastoral Coordinators, Learning Support Assistants, and Cover Supervisors. Section 91 of the Act states that sanctions must take into account the age, any special educational needs or disabilities, and religious requirements of the student, ensuring they are reasonable and appropriate in each case. Staff are trusted to use their professional judgement in addressing inappropriate behaviour, applying sanctions that are designed to correct the issue and promote better behaviour, without embarrassing or humiliating the student. It is important that students perceive the sanction as fair and just. We also recognize that ongoing disruptive behaviour may indicate unmet educational or other needs. In such cases, the school will consider whether a multi-agency assessment is necessary. The list of sanctions provided below serves as a broad guide, but actions may vary depending on individual circumstances, including the student’s age, special needs, or religious requirements.