Introduction and Aim
The Behaviour Policy should be read alongside Kent Music’s Policies and Guidance on Safeguarding and Child Protection. Our safeguarding policies set out how Kent Music will:
- protect children and adults at risk who receive our services
- provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection
Kent Music is committed to managing behaviour effectively to create a calm, inclusive atmosphere that is valued and enjoyed, allowing everyone to learn, participate, and thrive. Clear expectations help children to understand their role within a musical community and support them in becoming responsible, respectful individuals.
For this policy, ‘disruption’ is defined as any behaviour that interrupts teaching and learning, whether at an individual level, in rehearsals, or during breaks. Where behaviour falls below the expected standards, students must understand there are consequences. These are applied proportionately and are designed not only to address unacceptable behaviour but also to encourage reflection and improvement. This Behaviour Policy is underpinned by the principles of reasonableness and common sense, and our behaviour expectations are clear and concise, applied consistently and fairly to all students, without favour.
Ultimately, our approach to behaviour fosters a positive environment in which all students feel valued, cared for, and safe, supporting both their musical and personal development.
Please bear in mind that courses may cater for students from the very young up to those in their late teens.
Behaviour Expectations
Kent Music Student Agreement
We require all students who participate in our courses to agree to our behaviour expectations, to support our delivery of safe, respectful, and enjoyable music education activities.
Conduct
Students are expected to behave in a responsible manner having due regard for the safety and welfare of others.
- At all times they are expected to be courteous, considerate and co-operative.
- Students must never act in any manner likely to bring discredit upon themselves or the good reputation of Kent Music.
- Students are to treat others (students, staff, parents, visitors) as they wish to be treated themselves. Behaviour which stigmatises others or is the result of discrimination will not be tolerated.
- Kent Music has a zero-tolerance policy with respect to alcohol, illegal substances, and weapons.
Punctuality
Punctuality is important. For residential course a timetable is issued to students on arrival; it must be adhered to at all times. Players and singers must take their places at least five minutes before the scheduled time for both sectional and full rehearsals. This shows respect for music leaders and fellow students.
Inappropriate Language
Swearing and inappropriate language will not be tolerated. This topic will be discussed in more detail with students during the course induction meeting.
Mobile phones and internet enabled devices
If a student brings a mobile phone, tablet or similar device on course, the following rules apply:
- The Kent Music Policy and Guidance on Online Safety is to be adhered to when using the Internet, social media, or mobile devices.
- During the day: during music sessionswe have adopted the policy of never used, never seen, never heard. Students will be asked to turn their phone to flight mode at the start of each session and then to put it out of sight.
- For residential courses at bedtime: students will be asked to turn their device to flight mode unless an agreement has been made by the parent/carer with the course manager, e.g. for medical reasons.
- Photos: students must not take photos or videos of other students, staff, or the public.
It is important to note that mobile phone reception on some course sites is extremely limited. Parents/Carers – please rest assured, you will be contacted if there is a need to.
If there is poor phone reception on a course, it can often be the case that there may be missed calls or texts being received long after they have been sent possibly causing distress to both student and parent/carer. For this reason, we strongly request that you do not make arrangements for students to call or message at certain times of day as this may not be possible. If at any point you are concerned, please contact the onsite course office on the contact number listed in pre-course paperwork. Please leave a message if the call is not answered, and your call will be returned.
Bullying
Kent Music has an Anti-Bullying Policy and guidance on our website. This sets out what steps we take:
- to prevent bullying from happening in our organisation
- when bullying does happen, to make sure it is stopped as soon as possible and that those involved receive the support they need
- to provide information to all staff, volunteers, children and their families about what we should all do to prevent and deal with bullying
Threatening behaviour
The following will not be tolerated:
- violent, aggressive, or abusive behaviour
- personal insults
- spreading malicious rumours or gossip
- threats of or actual physical violence
- offensive or indecent comments or body language
Bounds
Students will be told areas that are available to them at the course induction meeting held at the start of any course. This meeting will be led by the course manager and all staff and students on the course will be present for this meeting.
Alcohol
No student is permitted to purchase or consume alcoholic drinks, and no alcohol may be brought on to the course site.
Smoking
Smoking, including e-cigarette/vapes, is not permitted on course sites (both buildings and grounds).
Student bedrooms
Students may only enter the house/floor to which they have been assigned and must not enter any bedroom other than the bedroom allocated to them.
Who to speak with
Students can report concerns to:
- A course supervisor or the course manager
- A Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – this person will be introduced at the course induction meeting
- The Designated Safeguarding Lead/Senior Leader for Tuition & Ensembles – Trevor James tjames@kent-music.com or phone 01622 358431
- Specific contact details for DSL and DDSL will be printed on reverse of all course student ID badges
Kent Music will not hesitate to apply any relevant and appropriate sanctions or involve other agencies such as children’s social care or the Police.
Equality and Reasonable Adjustments
Kent Music takes full account of our duties under the 2010 Equality Act. Students who have an Education, Health and Care Plan or an identified additional need are expected to follow the behaviour policy, and we will make reasonable, appropriate and flexible adjustments. We closely monitor behaviour incidents and outcomes data to ensure we are fulfilling our duties under the Act.
Communication With Parents and Students
Our behaviour expectations are shared with parents/carers and students when registering for a course. We expect parents/carers to review these with their children before the start of the course.
Once the course has begun, the course manager – or another member of staff acting on behalf of Kent Music’s Senior Leadership Team – will contact the parent/carer if Stage 4 (see below) is reached, or earlier if the course manager considers it appropriate.
Consequences and Sanctions Whilst on Courses
There are 5 stages in Kent Music’s behaviour policy:
- Stage 1 – Verbal discussion.
- Stage 2 – Behaviour form. This is completed by a member of staff in discussion with the pupil concerned and signed by both the student and the member of staff.
- Stage 3 – Reflection form.This is completed by the student in discussion with a member of staff and signed by both the student and the member of staff.
- Stage 4 – Formal meeting with Head of Course. A serious conversation to address repeated behaviour, reinforce expectations, inform parents of the behaviour, including the student conversation, and outline clear consequences to both pupil and parents if things don’t improve.
- Stage 5 – Student asked to leave the course.
All the above are recorded so the pastoral team are aware of student behaviour concerns.
Very Serious Misbehaviours
Kent Music regards the following as very serious misbehaviours; this list is not exhaustive:
- Persistent refusal or failure to cooperate with reasonable instructions.
- Verbal or physical abuse, or violent or threatening behaviour, towards staff or students.
- Bullying of any form, including racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or other identity‑based bullying, whether in person or via digital means.
- Inappropriate use of the internet or digital communication (sent or received), including content related to pornography, bullying, or language likely to cause offence.
- Use of electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones, tablets) to photograph or make audio/video recordings of students without their consent.
- Child‑on‑child sexual violence or sexual harassment, including incidents facilitated through mobile phones or other digital platforms.
- Smoking or the consumption of alcohol on course premises.
- Involvement in the use, possession, or distribution of illegal substances.
- Possession or carrying of an offensive weapon.
- Behaviour that brings Kent Music into disrepute.
Immediate escalation to Stage 5 will be considered for instances of persistent non-cooperation, physical assault of a member of staff, violent/sexual assault or harassment of another student, involvement with drugs and offensive weapons.
Searching and Screening
If there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a student may have a prohibited item, Kent Music will contact parents prior to any search of a student, their possessions, or their accommodation. Kent Music staff can seize any prohibited item found as a result of a search, and any item they consider harmful or detrimental.