This policy sets out the aims, principles, and strategies for behaviour at Sunningdale School. It was developed in consultation with staff and is reviewed annually. It is informed by the Behaviour in Schools Guidance (DfE, September 2022) and the ISI inspection framework (2023).

Aims

At Sunningdale, discipline is not simply about rules; it is about helping boys grow into kind, respectful, and purposeful young men. Our aims are that every boy will:

Develop tolerance and understanding of others’ feelings and needs.
Cultivate independence and responsibility in their roles within the community.
Recognise right and wrong and understand consequences.
Respect others, behaving with courtesy and good manners.
Contribute to a safe, happy, and orderly environment.
Experience discipline as a positive framework that allows all boys to thrive.

Principles

Good discipline grows from consideration for others.
Discipline and self-discipline develop best when parents, teachers, and pupils work in partnership.
Staff promote clear expectations and provide positive role models.
Praise, encouragement, and rewards are central to the Sunningdale ethos.
Boys’ behaviour is considered in light of individual needs, including SEND and SEMH, with reasonable adjustments made where appropriate.

Promoting Positive Behaviour & School Ethos

Behaviour at Sunningdale is rooted in our Six Qualities:
Kindness, Courage, Honesty, Resilience, Self-Discipline, Zest for Life.

We teach boys that these qualities underpin daily life — in lessons, boarding, games, and friendships. Good behaviour is not just about following rules; it is about living these values and creating a purposeful community where everyone can flourish.

Strategies

Clear expectations shared through staff meetings, assemblies, and tutor sessions.
Consistent communication with parents — emphasising partnership.
Active praise and reinforcement of positive behaviour.
Opportunities in PSHE, SMSC, Chapel, and drama to explore values.
British values promoted through respect, tolerance, and responsibility.
Behaviour monitored and recorded via ISAMS, enabling patterns to be identified.

Reward Systems

We believe strongly in recognising and celebrating positive conduct. Rewards include:

Compliments recorded on ISAMS.
Public recognition in assemblies, tutorials, and evening prayers.
House points (Compliments +1, Show-Ups +2).
Invitations to the Possibles Trip for boys with outstanding conduct and work.
Annual prizes: Lord Frederick Windsor and Lesley McColl Prize, Prince Michael of Kent Award.

Compliments

Compliments highlight behaviour that reflects our Six Qualities. They are logged on ISAMS, count towards House points, and form part of the boy’s record.

Complaints

A Note is issued for low-level misdemeanours (lateness, noise, lost property, uniform).
Three Notes for the same behaviour escalate to a Complaint.

A Complaint reflects more serious behaviour (e.g. disruption in lessons, unkindness).
The Deputy Head reviews whether further sanctions (e.g. detention) are appropriate.

Tutors

Tutors are central to our pastoral system:

They receive automatic notifications of Compliments, Notes, and Complaints.
Tutors are expected to speak with tutees the same day an entry is made.
Tutors track behaviour patterns, encourage boys, and liaise with the Deputy Head where necessary.

Sanctions

Sanctions are designed to be fair, proportionate, and educational, helping boys reflect and make better choices. These include:

Notes (low-level)
Complaints (serious incidents)
Detentions (linked to Complaints/Deputy Head decision)
No Privileges List (after 3 Complaints or for serious behaviour)
Referral to Headmaster (serious or repeated misconduct)
Temporary or permanent exclusion (rare, but possible where behaviour endangers others)

Persistently Poor Behaviour

If behaviour persists despite sanctions:

Parents are called in by the Headmaster.
Joint strategies are agreed.
The school counsellor or outside agencies may be involved.
Safeguarding concerns are referred via MyConcern and the DSL.

Disciplinary Framework

Step	Offence	Action
Step 1	Low-level behaviour (lateness, noise, poor organisation)	Dealt with by staff. Note recorded on ISAMS.
Step 2	Poor behaviour (unkindness, rudeness)	Complaint recorded. Deputy Head considers detention.
Step 3	Very poor behaviour (swearing, property damage, bullying)	Incident form on ISAMS. Referred to Deputy Head. Likely No Privileges. Parents informed.
Step 4	Serious behaviour (persistent bullying, rudeness to staff, safeguarding issue)	Referred to Headmaster. Parents informed. Possible exclusion. Safeguarding recorded.

No Privilege List

Boys on No Privileges:

Receive a daily monitoring card signed by staff.
Attend Monday and Tuesday detentions.
Lose weekly “grub” privileges.
Parents informed weekly.
Can be placed on the list immediately for very serious offences (e.g. vandalism, bullying).

School Rules

The following are strictly forbidden:

Bullying (including cyber, racist, homophobic, sexist, sexual harassment, child-on-child abuse).
Foul or abusive language.
Violence or physical aggression.
Theft, vandalism, property damage.
Dangerous items (weapons, penknives, imitation firearms, lasers).
Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vaping.
Mobile phones (except overseas boarders, handed to matrons).
Money, food, chewing gum, tippex, or expensive electronic equipment.

Code of Conduct

Boys are expected to:

Treat others with courtesy and respect.
Behave politely towards adults and peers.
Take pride in appearance and uniform.
Be punctual and prepared for lessons.
Play sport fairly, encourage others, and represent the school with integrity.
Respect the school environment and property.
Demonstrate Sunningdale’s Six Qualities in daily life.

Searching Pupils and Possessions

(in line with DfE 2022)

Staff may search pupils for prohibited items (weapons, drugs, stolen property, tobacco, alcohol, fireworks, vapes, pornography, mobile phones).
Searches must be proportionate, respectful, and logged on ISAMS.
Confiscation must be reasonable and items stored safely.
Parents will be informed of serious searches.
Police will be involved if illegal items are found.

(Full guidance: see Appendix A – Search and Confiscation Protocol.)

Physical Restraint

Staff may use reasonable force to prevent harm to persons or property.
Physical restraint is a last resort and must be proportionate.
Any restraint must be recorded within 12 hours and parents informed.
Guidance aligns with Education Act 1996, DfE Guidance (2013, updated 2022).

(See Appendix B – Restraint Incident Report Form.)

Corporal Punishment (Prohibited)

Sunningdale School does not permit corporal punishment under any circumstances. This applies both on and off-site, in line with the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding.

Staff Training and Support

All staff receive induction on behaviour management, sanctions, safeguarding, and positive strategies.
Training includes de-escalation techniques and safe use of restraint.
Boarding and teaching staff are trained in recognising and responding to bullying, child-on-child abuse, and safeguarding issues.

Monitoring, Recording and Evaluation

Behaviour records are logged on ISAMS.
The Deputy Head reviews behaviour weekly to monitor patterns.
The Headmaster receives a termly overview.
Behaviour data is analysed for equality and SEND considerations.
Policy effectiveness is reviewed annually.

Appendices

Appendix A – Search & Confiscation Protocol
Appendix B – Restraint Incident Report Form

Appendix A – Search & Confiscation Protocol

Purpose
To ensure searches are conducted safely, respectfully, and in line with the Education Act 1996, DfE Behaviour in Schools Guidance (2022), and the Independent School Standards (ISSRs).

Authorisation

Searches may only be conducted by the Headmaster or staff authorised by him.
A witness should be present wherever possible.
Police may be called for serious matters (weapons, drugs, stolen items).

Items That May Be Searched For (Prohibited Items)

Weapons and knives
Alcohol
Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
Stolen property
Tobacco, cigarettes, vapes, matches, lighters
Fireworks
Pornographic images/materials
Mobile phones (if misused or not handed in as per school rules)
Any item banned by school rules that may be used to cause harm or disrupt learning

General Approach

All searches must be reasonable, proportionate, and respectful.
Staff must consider pupils’ privacy and dignity at all times.
For boarders, particular sensitivity is given to dormitories (as their “home” during term).

Procedure

Explain to the pupil why a search is necessary.
Ask the pupil to turn out pockets, bags, or lockers.
Two staff present (same sex where possible, unless immediate risk).
Personal searches without consent (for prohibited items only) may use reasonable force — but only if absolutely necessary and as a last resort.
Property searches (lockers, bags, dorms) should, where possible, be conducted in the pupil’s presence.

Confiscation

Confiscated items are stored securely by the Deputy Head or Headmaster.
Parents are informed where appropriate.
Illegal items are handed to the police.
Confiscation must always be proportionate and recorded.

Recording

Every search or confiscation must be recorded on ISAMS and include:

Date, time, location
Reason for search
Staff present
Outcome (including items found/confiscated)
Any further action taken

Appendix B – Restraint Incident Report Form

Purpose
To ensure that any incident involving the use of reasonable force or restraint is properly recorded, monitored, and followed up. This aligns with the Education Act 1996, DfE Guidance on Use of Reasonable Force (2013, updated 2022), and safeguarding expectations.

Incident Report Form

1. Pupil Information

Name: ___________________________
Date of Birth: ____________________
Year Group: ______________________

2. Incident Details

Date: ____________________________
Time: ____________________________
Location: _________________________
Staff involved: ____________________
Witnesses: ________________________

3. Description of Incident

Events leading up to incident: ___________________________________________
Behaviour displayed by pupil: ___________________________________________
Risks posed (to self, others, or property): _________________________________

4. De-escalation

Strategies attempted before restraint:
☐ Verbal warning
☐ Time/space given
☐ Tutor involvement
☐ Parental contact
☐ Other: __________________________

5. Restraint Used

Type of restraint (e.g. hold, escort, floor restraint): _________________________
Duration: _________________________
Staff involved: _____________________

6. Outcome

Pupil’s response: _______________________________________
Injuries to pupil/staff (if any): _____________________________
Property damage (if any): _______________________________

7. Follow-Up

Parents informed? ☐ Yes ☐ No
Method: ☐ Phone ☐ Email ☐ In person
DSL informed? ☐ Yes ☐ No
Recorded on ISAMS? ☐ Yes ☐ No
Pupil checked by staff independent of incident? ☐ Yes ☐ No
Staff name: _________________________

8. Reflection & Next Steps

Staff reflection: ________________________________________
Pupil reflection session arranged? ☐ Yes ☐ No
Support plan/IEP updated if needed? ☐ Yes ☐ No
Deputy Head / Headmaster review completed: ☐ Yes ☐ No

Signed (Staff completing form): _____________________ Date: ________

Reviewed by Deputy Head / Headmaster: ______________ Date: ________

Updated AJL, 29/08/2025

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Contents

Introduction