Laying down the law
Bosses at the school have then split the Behaviour category into three other sections – general, lessons and out of lessons.
The school, which received a royal charter in 1608, has now been slammed for introducing the rules with one former pupil saying they are a breach on human rights.
Some of the rules are straightforward such as a ban on ‘Intimate behaviour in corridors’ or a warning against ‘Pushing in the dining room queue’ but others show an imaginative flair and unintentionally comic aspect which must have taken many hours of meticulous planning to dream up.
These include: “Saying ‘dunno, yeah, huh’ when asked questions”, ‘Answering in a silly voice,’ ‘Deliberately walking slowly/causing blockages’ and perhaps, best of all, ‘Smirking/smiling/ screwing face up/raising eyebrows/looking at others when told off.’ AT King James’s School, we consider excellent behaviour to be a fundamental requirement for success. We take pride in preparing our students socially as well as academically.
To this end, the following behaviours are considered unacceptable at King James’s School and will be challenged by all staff:
Not wearing school jumper or tie correctly Wearing incorrect school shoes Wearing hoods up/hats inside school Wearing incorrect trousers/skirts Wearing make-up/incorrect piercings Using earphones, or visible wires/ mobiles out in lessons Pupils are also banned from looking out of the window when they should be looking at the white board. Morgan Burton, a former student at King James’s, said: “It clearly removes students rights for self expression and free speech creating a narrative whereby the administration of a government-funded school is implementing its own beliefs
Thanking other people in an inappropriate way
Entering a classroom without knocking
Smirking/smiling/screwing face up/raising eyebrows/looking at others when told off
Shrugging shoulders
Saying ‘why?’ when questioned about behaviour
Saying ‘dunno, yeah, huh’ when asked a question Saying ‘okay’ when told off Rolling eyes Rude tone of voice Answering in a silly voice Not looking directly at staff when talking to them/paying attention to when spoken to which contradict the most basic of human rights.
“I just thought this might be a good write up to give some exposure to the inappropriate rule setting taking place here.”
King James’s was contacted for comment but has declined to respond.
On the school website principal Ian Rimmer says: “Our ethos demands the best from everyone through the promotion of the key values of resilience, respect, responsibility, honesty and courtesy.”
Deliberately walking slowly/ causing blockages
Unnecessary accompanying of friends in corridors during lessons/ registrations Pushing in the dining room queue Intimate behaviour in corridors