College Rules and Standards

At Lambeth College you can expect to find the best possible quality standards and a safe and secure environment in which to work. We promote an ethos of ambition, achievement and respect for others.

1. College Environment
   
2. Security
3. College Passes
4. Personal Possessions
5. Mobile Phones/iPods/MP3 players
6. Smoking
7. Dress Code
8. College Health and Safety
9. First Aid
10. Portable Fire Fighting Equipment and Fire Alarm System
11. Emergency Evacuation
12. Children on College Premises
13. Use of IT facilities
14. Lambeth College Code of Conduct
15. College Rules
16. Student Charter
17. A Guide to Student Entitlement and Standard
18. Student Union Constitution
19. Photographic Images of you in the College
20. Harassment and Anti-Bullying - Bullying
21. Disciplinary procedures

College Environment

We all want to work in a safe and healthy environment and we need your help to make this possible. We expect all students to play their part in ensuring the College remains a safe place to study.

Security

Security guards are to be treated with respect, they are there to keep an eye on the College buildings and to make sure the College is a safe and secure place in which to learn.

On entering College premises students are expected to uphold our ‘no hoodie’ policy by removing their hoods. Security guards are instructed to remind students of this policy.

College Passes

You will be issued with a College pass for your sole use which you must visibly wear at all times. Please co-operate by showing your pass to the security guards each time you enter the buildings and by producing it when requested by any member of the security team or any member of college staff. The pass remains College property and is free but a charge will be made for replacements.

Security guards are instructed to refuse entry to students without a valid pass. (Misuse of your College pass e.g. allowing others to use it to gain entry to the College buildings can result in disciplinary action).

You will need your pass to join the Library, and as a means of identification for a range of activities. You may need to also produce your College pass to confirm your identity for examinations.

Personal Possessions

Take care of your belongings and leave your valuables at home. While the College carries all statutory insurances these do not cover your personal possessions that you should keep with you at all times.

Mobile Phones/iPods/MP3 players

Mobile phones and music players must be switched off during all classes and examinations and whilst in the Library and ILT Centres. The College is a learning environment; please respect all public areas and other people’s right to a quiet surrounding when they are studying. Photographs should not be taken in public areas without first seeking permission; you can speak with your tutor about this.

Smoking

It is against the law to smoke in premises that are enclosed or substantially enclosed. If you wish to smoke, you may only do so within designated smoking areas. Details of designated smoking areas will be displayed at all Centres. Smoking is strictly prohibited in all other areas including the College entrances.

Dress Code

Lambeth College does not insist on any general dress code for its students, with the following exceptions:

• Dress must conform to any health & safety requirements including the wearing of protective clothing where necessary
• A job placement or work experience may require a uniform or a particular style of dress
• We have a ‘no hoodie’ policy that has been agreed by students for the safety and comfort of all students and staff.

While we encourage the individuality of our students please remember that the College is a learning and work environment and that you should dress appropriately.

College Health and Safety

Lambeth College holds as one of its highest priorities the health, safety and welfare of all students, staff and visitors involved in activities which come under the responsibility of the College whether taking place on the College premises or not. We have a statutory and moral duty to ensure that the College functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students receiving education and training at the College.

As a learner at Lambeth College you are responsible for cooperating with all College staff and representatives in making sure that the College is a safe place to study. Health and safety rules and procedures are in place to protect you during whatever activity or course you are involved in at the College. It is important that you follow the health and safety information, instruction and training that you are provided with.

As a learner at Lambeth College your responsibilities include:

• Not doing anything that would put you or other persons at risk
• Contributing to health and safety by reporting defects, dangerous situations, accidents, violence, harassment, bullying and any other incidents
• Observing any prohibitions or restrictions that apply to you
• Wearing any necessary personal protective equipment and clothing
• Not damaging or misusing anything provided for purposes of health and safety
• Keeping your work area clean and tidy
• Participating in and following any necessary health and safety training/plans e.g. fire evacuation drills
• Reading and following all safety signs and notices

If you have any health and safety concerns please bring these to the attention of your Tutor or College representative.

First Aid

There are qualified First Aiders at each Centre. Please contact a member of staff if you need assistance or Reception/Security who will contact a First Aider for you.

Portable Fire Fighting Equipment and Fire Alarm System

This equipment and system is in place to protect you and other occupants of each Centre. It is a criminal offence to misuse, tamper with or damage this equipment and system.

Failure to comply with College health and safety procedures, rules or instructions from College staff or representatives or failure to take reasonable care for your health and safety may lead to disciplinary action and may include expulsion from the College.

Emergency Evacuation

The College is required by law to practise emergency evacuation procedures. All rooms display a ‘Fire Action’ notice that gives guidance on evacuating the building in an emergency.

• Please read the notices so that you know what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency and where the nearest Assembly Point is located.
• When the fire alarm rings with a continuous tone follow instructions and evacuate the building.
• If you are in class your tutor will direct you and you must obey all requests by staff to leave the building immediately.
• Proceed quickly to the nearest Assembly Point.
• Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
• Lifts must not be used during emergency evacuations.

You should not re-enter the building until you are allowed to do so by security or College staff. If you are unable to leave the building without assistance you must obey instructions by staff and proceed to the nearest Refuge Point where you will be given assistance to evacuate.

Children on College Premises

Due to Health and Safety and Insurance requirements, the College regrets that children (defined as those under the age of 16 years) are not permitted on College premises except in the following circumstances:

• where they are accompanied by an adult in the course of enrolment or when seeking admissions advice
• in the Nurseries (or traveling to or from a nursery within a site)
• where they are participating in a College organised event (such events must have prior written permission from the Centre Director who shall ensure that appropriate risk assessments and safety precautions have been carried out)
• where they are waiting for a short period, accompanied by an adult visitor, at the reception area
• where 14-16 pupils are participating in a designated College Link programme
• where specific permission has been given by a member of the Executive.

Use of IT facilities

If you use any College IT Facility you are automatically agreeing to comply with the terms of this Code of Practice.

• Use of IT facilities, such as the network, computers, printers and the facilities associated with them e.g. software, data, email, internet, bulletin boards, data bases must be for College work or other authorised use only. No ‘private’ work is permitted.
• All files created or stored by you on College IT facilities can be subjected to inspection by College IT Technical Staff. Where evidence is found of misuse or illegal use of material it will be deleted.
• You must comply with any local rules in force applicable to IT facilities provided by the College e.g. in Libraries, ILT Centres, IT Labs.

Specifically you must not:

• Disclose to others your login name/password combination(s), or access, or
• Attempt to access computers at the College or elsewhere for which permission has not been granted.
• Eat or drink in any IT facility.
• Use or produce materials or resources to facilitate corruption, changes, malfunction or access to any College or external IT facilities.
• Introduce a real, or hoax virus onto College IT systems.
• Use College IT systems to deliberately upset another person.
• Forge email signatures and/or headers, initiate and/or forward ‘chain’ or ‘junk’ or ‘harassing’ mail, Play electronic games, electronic gambling web-sites or use ‘chatrooms’.
• Display, store, print or transmit images or text which could be considered offensive e.g. material of a sexual, pornographic, paedophilic, sexist, racist, libelous, threatening, defamatory or terrorist nature, or likely to bring the College into disrepute.
• Use, download, copy, store or supply copyright materials including software, MP3 or other media files and retrieved data other than with the permission of the Copyright holder or under the terms of the license held by the College.
• Use a mobile phone for voice, sending text messages or downloading ring tones in IT Facilities.

When holding data on computers about living individuals, you must register that data and its uses, and treat it as required by the Data Protection Act.

Whilst the College takes appropriate security measures against unauthorised access to, alteration, disclosure, destruction or accidental loss of personal and other data, it cannot and does not give any warranties or undertakings to you about security, confidentiality or integrity of data, personal or other.

All files and email messages will be deleted on an annual basis. Make sure you keep copies of those files and messages that you wish to retain.

Please make sure that you back-up your files on a regular basis!

Breaking these conditions may lead to College disciplinary procedures being invoked, with penalties that could include suspension from the use of College IT facilities for extended periods. Serious cases may lead to expulsion from the College and may involve civil or criminal action being taken against the user.

Lambeth College Code of Conduct

Lambeth College students, staff and Governors have agreed that we value:

• Progression to jobs or better jobs, or further study
• Achievement of qualifications and personal potential
• Skills for employment or entrepreneurship, social and family responsibility, good citizenship, and independent living
• Success in work and/or life.

and

• Equality of opportunity and diversity
• Trust, fairness, mutual respect and helping others
• High expectations and high performance
• Openness and integrity
• Safe, healthy and sustainable study and work environments.

Lambeth College is a community of students and staff who have agreed that we expect ourselves and others to:

• come to College regularly and punctually
• have high expectations, and work to high professional/ study standards
• take pride in, and responsibility for, our own learning, work and behaviour, and to challenge poor behaviour and performance
• communicate well, be good team players, be flexible and responsive to change, to seek advice and guidance, and to help and support each other
• be positive, friendly, polite and respectful to each other, and to keep each other safe
• obey all College rules and behaviour codes eg no ‘hoodies’, wearing ID cards visibly at all times, no mobile phones in class or study areas
• treat the College environment with respect
• be trustworthy and honest
• value fun, have a sense of humour, and contribute fully to College life
• be good ambassadors for the College

College Rules

You must not:

• misuse your Student ID or allow someone else to use it to enter College premises
• bring or use any illegal drugs, substances or alcohol on the College premises or come into College under the influence of alcohol or an illegal substance
• gamble on the premises
• bring into the College anything which could be used as offensive weapon or involve yourself in any criminal activity
• copy any other student’s work assignments or cheat in any examination

When you sign your enrolment form, you agree to accept and abide by these rules. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action and you being requested to leave the College.

Student Charter

The Student Charter outlines the College’s commitment to those applying to study at the College. It outlines our values, explains what you can expect as a student at the College and what we expect of you as a student during your time here.

A Guide to Student Entitlement and Standards

You can expect:

• impartial information, advice and guidance to assist you choosing a course that suits your needs
• an induction at the beginning of your course to enable you to access advice and information on educational or personal matters throughout your time here
• teaching and learning that will assist you to complete your studies successfully
• clear information on how you will be assessed and regular feedback on your progress
• libraries, ILT and services to assist you with your studies
• a safe and secure learning environment free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation
• a quick response to any problem you tell us about and support you in confidence if necessary
• to be kept informed and up to date about developments within the College which may affect you

Complaints about any failure to meet the commitments should be made through the College complaints procedure. Complaint Forms are available from Reception at each Centre and should be returned to Reception when completed.

Student Union Constitution

Name: There shall be a Student Union the name of which shall be ‘The Lambeth College Students’ Union’ (hereafter referred to as ‘the Union’).

Aims and Objectives

The Aims and Objectives of the Union shall be:

• To advance the education of its members.
• To promote the general welfare of the students.
• To promote co-operation amongst its members for social, cultural and athletic activities.
• To provide a channel of communication between its members and the College and other bodies.
• To stimulate the expression of student opinion within the College on all matters affecting the life and training of students and to represent this opinion to the College authorities.
• To represent the members in all matters affecting their interest as members of the Union, regardless of class, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or special educational need.
• To oppose all racial, religious and sexual discrimination and to actively support Lambeth College’s Equal Opportunities Policies. A complete copy of the procedure is available on the LC Learning Web.

A complete copy of the procedures is available on the LC Learning Web.

Safeguarding/Protection

You have the right to be and feel safe while here at Lambeth College.

If you have any concerns about your wellbeing, you must report it immediately.

What are we safeguarding against:

• Sexual Abuse or inappropriate relationships
• Grooming
• Inappropriate supervision by staff/Volunteers i.e. bad practice
• Bullying/Cyber-bullying
• Self harm, risky behaviour
• Unsafe activities and environments

Responding to your concerns

• Trust your instincts
• Contact the a member of the Safeguarding Team immediately
• Do not try to cope with the situation on your own
• Allow us to help and support you

If you would like to speak to someone, please speak to one of our Safeguarding Team.

Photographic Images of you in the College

Lambeth College may wish to take your photograph and/or film you taking part in activities in the College. These images may appear in Lambeth College printed materials, press releases, be placed on our website/intranet or on other websites (operated by other agencies such as local and national press or specialist media publishers advertising Lambeth College courses etc), and used in promotional films, DVDs or on/in other media. If you do not wish to have your image used for any such publicity materials and/or media please be sure to inform the photographer(s) or film maker(s) immediately should they appear at any events, learning environments or workplace in which you are present.

Please note it is your responsibility not to pose for photographs or films that are taken in or for Lambeth College if you do not wish to have your image published.

Harassment and Anti-Bullying - Bullying

Bullying behaviour is defined as:

Any behaviour that us unwanted, inappropriate, unsolicited and unacceptable to the person receiving it, causing them unease, stress, distress and a possible loss of self-esteem.”

It involves the persecution of the victim through intimidating, unfair, sarcastic, physical, malicious or angry behaviour that causes them to feel uneasy or threatened.

Guidelines:

If you feel you are being bullied, TELL SOMEONE. This may be, in the first instance, the Student Information Officer, a course tutor or teacher or any other member of staff.

You may leave a message on the Student Hotline on 020 7501 5777. The Anti-Bullying Line is checked daily and a Student Information Officer will return your call. All calls are logged and treated confidentially. You may alternatively report an incident by e-mailing ‘thevoice@lambeth.ac.uk

Once a member of staff has been alerted, they will inform your tutor (unless your tutor is the one accused) who will talk to you about the incident. The alleged bully will be interviewed separately by the tutor or another appropriate staff member. You will be listened to sympathetically and your concerns taken seriously. At all stages in the above procedure you may bring a friend, course rep or relative.

Confidential counselling sessions are available for either the bullied or the bully, to help individuals move forward in a more positive and confident way.

A complete copy of the procedure is available on the LC Learning Web.

Disciplinary procedures

You should be aware that the College has two agreed procedures for dealing with problems where student conduct gives cause for concern.

Disciplinary Procedure on Academic Grounds

This procedure may be activated when staff have concerns about:

• Attendance and/or Punctuality
• Satisfactory completion of course work
• Plagiarism, cheating or other incidence of seeking to gain unfair academic advantage

Your tutor will usually give you a warning before the full procedure is followed.

Disciplinary Procedure on Non Academic Grounds

This is related to misconduct dealing with unacceptable behaviour or behaviour which deliberately contravenes the Health and Safety regulations or the Student Rules. The procedure operates in a series
of graduated steps reflecting the seriousness of the problem, but in certain cases misconduct may result in immediate suspension pending a disciplinary hearing.

The College reserves the right to contact parent(s)/guardian(s) of students under 18 years of age (or of students who have Learning Difficulties and Disabilities) should the need arise.

A complete copy of the procedure is available on the LC Learning Web.