Zero Tolerance Policy Statement  

At Boulder Ballet we are very fortunate to have children, parents/caretakers, staff and governors  who are supportive and friendly. We recognize that the success of the school is dependent on a strong partnership between all members of the school community. This partnership must be based on a polite, positive and respectful relationship between all parties involved.  

The purpose of this guidance is to provide a reminder about the expected conduct from our students, parents, caregivers, staff, and visitors, and what to do if their conduct is abusive or aggressive. We ask that all community members follow these principles:  

• We all respect the caring ethos of our school.  
• Both staff and parents/caregivers need to work together for the benefit of our students.
• All members of the school community should be treated with respect and, therefore, we must all set a good example in our own speech and behavior.
• In this context, threatening, violent or abusive behavior against any members of our school community is unacceptable. All members of our community have a right to expect the school to be a safe place in which to work and learn. Where the behavior of any stakeholder falls below expected standards, the school will act in accordance with this  guidance.  
• In order to support a peaceful and safe school environment, the school will NOT tolerate the following conduct on the school site:  

• Conduct which undermines the safe and calm environment in a school, either in a  school office, classroom, around the school site, immediately outside the school or on The Dairy premises.  
• Using loud or offensive language, such as swearing, or displaying an unacceptable amount of anger and aggression.  
• Threatening physical violence to a member of the school community.
• Damaging school property.
• Abusive telephone calls, emails, letters or other forms of written communication.
• Defamatory comments about school staff on social media sites.
• The use of physical aggression towards another adult or child. This includes physical punishment of your own child.
• Approaching someone else’s child in order to chastise them.
• Bullying
• Boulder Ballet would find the following conduct unacceptable: verbal abuse, threatening abusive or insulting words or behavior or any disorderly behavior whereby a person is caused alarm, harassment or distress. “Threatening behavior”  is when a person fears that violence, or threat of violence, is likely to be provoked. The school has a responsibility to ensure that any act of actual or  threatened violence is referred to the police immediately.

• In a school context this could mean someone shouting at a member of staff, either in person or on the phone; acting aggressively, including using intimidating body language, as well as actual violence. It also covers comments posted on social networking sites or situations where members of staff are approached off school premises.  

* Boulder Ballet operates a Zero Tolerance Policy towards breaches of the above principles.

Our School’s measures to avoid, prevent and minimize incidents:  

Meetings with parents or visitors will be through an appointment system for general inquiries, support and advice. However, it is recognized that emergency meetings may need to be convened at short notice, and in this case all parties will endeavor to meet at the earliest opportunity.

Where parents or visitors do not conduct themselves in an appropriate manner during meetings or discussions, the meeting will be terminated and the parent/ caregiver /visitor asked to leave the premises. Where conduct has been such as to warrant it, the police will be informed. The school will instigate proceedings (though the Legal Services Department) to ban persons acting in such a manner from the school premises (see below).  

A record will be maintained in school of all incidents involving intimidating or threatening behavior towards staff, students, or faculty.  

The school will notify parents of this policy when needed and it will be placed on our website.  

STAFF CONDUCT  

Staff are advised to communicate with parents, whatever the circumstances, in the following manner:  

• Greet every visitor warmly and with a smile
• Speak calmly and without raising your voice
• Use positive body language  
• Do their best to meet any reasonable request made in a professional manner
• Be assertive but not aggressive  
• Be polite but firm  
• Seek assistance if necessary  
• Politely terminate the conversation if necessary, explaining your reasons
• In the event of an emergency, staff should request assistance from BB Directors or our Office Manager, if they are available; otherwise, the nearest staff member(s). The Directors or Manager will request that the person causing offense leave the premises. Should the person not leave the premises then they should be informed that the police will be called. The incident should then be recorded.  

INCIDENT REPORTING 

Please report any incident or concern to the School Director through the Confidential Incident Report form:

• Trespassing
• Verbal abuse
• Sexual or racial abuse and threats
• Aggression or physical violence
• Intentional damage to personal property or the school’s property  
• Racist comments
• Any injuries to staff or children  

TRESPASSING 

Parents/caregivers may be asked not to return to the premises due to not following our Zero Tolerance Policy. If that parent/caregiver arrives at The Dairy or Boulder Ballet School without permission, the police will be called immediately and further action will be taken.