Urban Mission School (UMS) is a small nurturing school which aims to meet the social, emotional and educational needs of young people aged 11-16. Our small classes operate with a high ratio of adult to child to enable the individualised learning and progress of students.
To help you feel safe, we ensure that your educational environment is rich in both nurture and structure. We have consistent, predictable routines, expectations and responses to behaviour. These are in place and modelled appropriately, within the context of our safe and caring school environment.
How should I behave?
UMS is committed to engaging with you in order to develop behaviour for learning that leads to the best possible achievement for everyone. This means that we offer a non-judgemental and empathic approach towards behaviour. All adults in school are encouraged to respond in a way that focuses on the feelings and emotions that might drive certain behaviour, rather than the behaviour itself. We aim to see behavioural difficulties as vulnerable rather than troublesome, and we all have a duty to explore this vulnerability and provide appropriate support.
We recognise that strong relationships between staff and students are vital. Staff will be fair and consistent with you, considering your individual needs. We want you to know that staff members will always be approachable and support you in understanding that they are there to help, we want you to feel safe. This may sometimes mean that there is a need for staff to explain a consequence to you to help you learn about appropriate behaviour and to ensure the safety of all.
What about bullying?
We believe that all children, those acting out of line with the expected behaviour and those on the receiving end should all be supported to understand their behaviour and actions and to become the best versions of themselves
At UMS we are committed to working together to create an environment where no form of bullying is tolerated. We will encourage and help students to treat each other with respect and kindness, challenge any bullying we see or hear and impose appropriate sanctions for bullying.
Students and parents are encouraged to speak to a member of UMS staff if they have any concerns about bullying. Alternatively, they can let us know using our online form.
How should I stay safe?
It is our highest priority to do everything we can to help you feel safe while you are a student with us at UMS. This means we will do what we can to care for you and protect you from harm, provide a safe and healthy school environment and act on concerns that you or we have.
Staff:
- All our staff are carefully checked before they start work at the school, to make sure they are suitable to work with young people.
- Our staff are appropriately qualified and receive regular training in safeguarding, health and safety, first aid, fire safety and behaviour management. This ensures they know how to keep you safe and deal properly with any concerns that arise.
- Staff follow clear, set guidelines and procedures for keeping you safe while in school and on off-site trips and visits.
Staying safe online
When using the internet, either at UMS or elsewhere, we recommend you follow these simple steps to help protect yourself:
- Do not post any personal information online including your phone number, address, passwords or your school.
2. SPEAK UP If you viewed something online that made you anxious, unsafe or uncomfortable, please speak to an adult that you trust.
3. If you do not know someone, why are they “your online friend” or “follower”?
4. Privacy settings should always be kept to a maximum. Use the search engines on social networking websites to find out how to do this.
5. Think carefully when “posting” or “sharing” a photo online. Remember, once a photo is posted online, people will be able to share or download the photo.
If you are worried about your own safety or welfare, or the safety and welfare of someone else, you can speak to any member of staff. You can do this even if your concern involves the conduct of another member of staff.
Alternatively, you can [report a concern here] and a member of staff will get back to you.
