KNOWLEDGEVILL HIGH

SCHOOL REGULATIONS 2025

General
The School Regulations are designed to promote high standards of behavior in and around the
School and on any School visit. They are based on values of humility, hard work, a wide outlook,
inclusivity and tolerance, which apply in today’s society. Students are required to display good
manners, common sense, honesty and consideration for others at all times. The school regulations
recognize the School’s duty to safeguard and protect the welfare of all students and to act against
inequalities and discrimination of any kind.

We rely on a culture of mutual respect between students, staff and parents. We undertake to
promote these rules through assemblies, house meetings, and form periods; through induction and
parent meetings. These rules are not intended to be comprehensive. Students will be subject to
School discipline at any time if their behavior runs counter to our values. Compliance with the
School Rules currently observed, together with those amendments which are made from time to
time, is a condition of a student's continued membership of the School. Any action which is
prejudicial to the good order, or the good name, of the School will be regarded as an offence against
school discipline.

1. Attendance
All students are expected to attend lessons punctually; they must be on school premises by
7.45am at the latest, in preparation to attend lessons at 8.00am. If they are late, they must sign
the Late Book situated outside the School Office. A serious view is taken of repeated lateness.

Students must attend assemblies, all timetabled lessons, study sessions, sporting and club
activities. They are obliged to take part in games and other out- of-school activities, as required by
the principal, during normal school hours from 7:45 to 16:00.

Every student is required to be in attendance on all school days unless prevented by ill- health or
other unavoidable cause. Any request for a student not attend school must be made by a parent or
guardian in writing in advance. This should be to the School Clerk, who will refer it to the principal
for approval.

2. Communication
All students shall communicate in English Language at all times in the school premises: in lessons,
at sporting activities, at clubs, during break time and lunchtime. Students shall only use the Shona
Language during the Shona Lesson and when allowed to do so by a teacher for learning purposes

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only. Students shall not verbally abuse each other through vulgar language, hate speech or insulting
comments during lessons, break or lunchtime.

3. Dress and Appearance

The rules regarding uniform at Knowledgevill School have a very clear rationale. Students must
wear their uniform correctly, from their departure from home in the morning until their return
home. In all matters of dress and appearance, the arbiter of what is acceptable is the Principal. A
student whose dress or appearance is unsatisfactory may be sent home. Staff and parents need to
work together to achieve consistency with regards to the following regulations:

a. Hair – As a guideline, hair should be cut must be kept clean and tidy, off the collar, and
may not be cut or dressed in any extreme or conspicuous fashion, including too short. Dyed
hair is not permitted.
b. Shoes – must be plain black, without buckles or conspicuous designer names.
c. School Bags – the school shop sells approved bags, with or without the school logo. All
students must only use these bags.
d. Ties – to be worn at the correct length, with an appropriately sized knot.
e. Shirts – to be tucked in, sleeves down and top buttons done up.
f. Socks – all female students to wear white ankle socks in summer
g. Sports Kit – only the approved kit, available from the school shop, may be worn.
h. Jewellery – no Jewellery or other ornaments may be worn. Earrings are not permitted.
i. Jackets/Blazers – to be worn at assemblies and in lessons unless permission is given
otherwise.

4. Work
Students are expected to complete all study tasks and work set by teaching staff to the best of their
ability, without recourse to the work of other students. It should be their own work and reflect
good effort and careful presentation. Plagiarism, the copying of words or presenting of ideas from
another source and passing this off by a student as his own work, is regarded as extremely serious
and will result in a disciplinary action. Academic honesty is expected from students at all times
and, if a student is in any doubt, assistance must always be sought from the teacher concerned.

5. Supervised Study
During supervised study periods all students should be in the classrooms, working or reading
quietly, where a high standard of behavior is expected at all times. Students who are failing to keep
up with their work, or whose work or behavior is unsatisfactory, may be listed for specific private
study sessions

6. Exams
The School issues complete instructions for all internal and public examinations which should be
followed by all students.

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 7. Circulation
Running is forbidden in all school classrooms and corridors. Students waiting outside classrooms
before lessons should wait in line against the wall.

8. Bounds
No student is allowed in the following areas except under the supervision of a member of staff:
The Reception, The Principals Office, The Staff Room, Staff Offices, Science laboratories.

9. Litter
It is a breach of school rules to drop litter. Litter must be placed in the bins provided and students
are expected to assist in keeping the school yard and all areas of the school tidy and litter free.

10. Property
Respect for the individual and for individual property is a prerequisite of attendance at
Knowledgevill School. Theft is a very serious offence and the school will not hesitate to inform
the police if necessary. Any student engaging in theft cannot expect to remain a member of
the School community.
All property must be clearly marked with the owner's name. The School does not accept
responsibility for loss or damage to a student's property, and parents or guardians are advised to
include any valuable items as an all-risks extension to their household insurance policy.
All unmarked and unclaimed articles will be disposed of at the end of each term. The loss or
discovery of any money or valuables is to be reported to the school clerk or member of staff.
Valuables found lying about are to be handed in to the School Office for safe keeping.

Items of significant value or large cash amounts should not be brought to school. It is
recommended that expensive phones, should not be brought to school unless it is necessary. It is
essential that expensive items are looked after by the individual and in particular are not left in
bags around the school.
During sporting activities and turnouts any valuables should be handed to the member of staff in
charge of that activity and collected at the end of the session.
All School property should be treated with the utmost respect at all times. Any damage whatsoever
should be reported immediately to the nearest member of staff

11. Health and Safety

Smoking is forbidden at all times whilst under School discipline. For the purposes of school policy,
electronic cigarettes and all other ‘smoking’ devices. No student may bring alcoholic drinks onto
the school premises. The following are not to be brought to School, nor are they to be brought or
acquired on any occasion when School Rules apply:
a. Fireworks, matches, cigarette lighters and aerosol sprays
b. Knives, guns, catapults and similar offensive weapons
c. Cigarettes and other smoking material
d. Alcoholic drinks

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 12. Illegal substances
Any drug-related offence, including the possession or distribution of illegal substances, is regarded
extremely serious and the school will always inform the police of any drug-related incident. When
substance misuse occurs, our responsibility for the welfare and conduct of the child extends beyond
the school day, including holidays and weekends.

13. Sickness, Accident or Emergency

Students injured in any way, or who become ill while at school, are to report firstly to the member
of staff in charge of their class or activity. No student may leave the school to go home, because
of accident or illness, unless he has been given permission to do so by the Principal. In the event
of an emergency, students should immediately contact the nearest member of staff, the School
Office.

14. Fire Regulations

In the event of a fire being discovered the following regulations must be observed:
a. A member of staff must immediately be informed, and the nearest alarm sounded.
b. Students are to immediately leave the building in which they are being taught, using the
nearest exit, and walk quietly to the assembly area where they should assemble in Forms.
c. Activation of the fire alarm automatically calls the Fire Service to the School.
d. Misuse of the fire alarm causes disruption both to the Fire Service, the local. Community
and the whole School community and is deemed a serious disciplinary matter.

15. Bullying
Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Students must be aware that bullying
is behavior which is unwanted, unwarranted and causes distress. Any student who continues to
bully other students shall be expelled from Knowledgevill School. The following forms of
behavior are included in the definition of bullying:

a. physical assault
b. verbal abuse or aggression
c. deliberate exclusion from a peer group by rejection and isolation
d. aggressive or insulting gestures
e. extortion or coercion by means of intimidation

16. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the use of information and communication technology, particularly mobile
phones and the internet deliberately to upset someone else. Any student involved in cyberbully
shall face disciplinary action, whether the cyberbullying occurs inside or outside School. Its
particular forms are:

a. Harassment or “cyber stalking”

b. Verbal abuse
c. Defamation/vilification.

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 d. Impersonation/unauthorized publication of private images, manipulation, peer rejection.

17. Mobile Devices

Students are not allowed to carry and use cellphones at Knowledgevill School. The School does
not accept responsibility for mobile phones. Parents or guardians should be aware that any student
found using a mobile phone will result in the confiscation of the phone. Arrangements should be
made by parents or guardians to collect the phone from the school Principal.

18. Internet Use

The School has the right to take disciplinary action against any misuse of the Internet or misuse of
an electronic device, whether it is used inside or outside the school, if the use affects other students
from Knowledgevill School, students from other schools or brings the School into disrepute. It is
important that individual users of the Internet understand that they are responsible for any sites
which they view and for any e-mail or other message which they send or post. Students must
always act in accordance with the following School ICT Policy.
a. Access to ICT account must only be made via the user’s authorized account and password,
which should never be disclosed to any other person.
b. Students must log out on completion of an activity at a workstation.
c. Students should not attempt to access inappropriate sites, e.g. material which is
discriminatory, offensive, uses strong language, or depicts images of abuse or of a
pornographic nature.
d. If students accidentally access a site with inappropriate images, text or themes, they must
exit that site immediately.
e. Students must not send any material which may cause offence to any person. Circulating
any material about a member of staff over the Internet is a serious offence and is likely to
result in exclusion from school.
f. Taking photographs or film in school using a camera, smartphone or any other electronic
device is not permitted except with the specific permission of a member of staff.
g. Obtaining information about another student, member of staff or about the School by
deception, including through electronic communication, is extremely serious and is likely
to result in exclusion.

19. Motor Vehicles

Sixth Form students may drive to School and park nearby. They are not permitted to return to their
cars at any time during the School day. No other student is permitted access to the School whilst
driving a car at any time, including during the holidays. The purpose of these rules is to ensure, as
far as possible, the safety of students and of all those who use the School grounds.

20. Bicycles
Bicycles are not to be ridden in the School yard, except when coming to or leaving the School.
Bicycles must be left locked in the area allocated. A cycling helmet, which accords with the
relevant safety standards, must be worn and cycling on school grounds must be safe and slow.

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 21. Miscellaneous
Students shall also observe the following general school regulations:
a. Laser pens, computer games and other electrical devices are not to be brought to or used at
school.
b. Chewing gum should not be brought or used whilst under school discipline.
c. Any form of gambling is forbidden.
d. Buying and selling are forbidden at the school.
e. Any student engaging in selling of stolen items either to another student or to someone
outside the school will be expelled from the school community. This is a serious offence
and the police will be informed if necessary.
f. The possession or distribution of pornographic material is strictly forbidden at all times
and on all occasions when School Rules apply.
g. No student is allowed to visit a Public House or betting shop either during school hours,
on the way home from school or whilst under school discipline.

22. Sanctions
a. Instances of poor work or behavior will usually be dealt with by the member of staff
responsible for the lesson or activity.
b. In the case of a serious breach of school rules, a student may be placed in a Principal’s
Detention.
c. The principal may exclude any student from school or may require the permanent removal
of any student for the following reasons:
 For a major or persistent breach of the school rules.
 For exercising a harmful influence in any way.
 For failing to make proper use of the education provided at the school.
 For any other good or necessary reason.

23. Disciplinary Points System

Students who persistently disregard school rules cause disruption to their own education and to
that of their peers, as well as being a negative influence on the school community as a whole. The
following Disciplinary Points System seeks to reinforce to all students and parents or guardians
that poor discipline at Knowledgevill School is unacceptable and that persistent flouting of the
School rules will lead to the application of severe sanctions.

Serious disciplinary offences at Knowledgevill School are punished by the imposition of the
Principal's Detentions or by temporary or permanent exclusion. These sanctions are not given
lightly. Principal’s Detentions are imposed only by the Principal & The Senior Teacher after
discussion with senior members of staff. There are also Lower/Upper School Detentions which
may be given as appropriate. These punishments carry a tariff which are cumulative over a rolling
12-month period.

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The tariff is as follows:

Principal's Detention: 4 disciplinary points.

Temporary Exclusion: 6 disciplinary points.
Permanent Exclusion: 12 disciplinary points.
Any student acquiring 12 disciplinary points in a 12-month period cannot expect to continue
his/her education at Knowledgevill School. Once the 12-point limit has been reached a review of
the student’s disciplinary record will be undertaken by the Principal in discussions with parent/
guardian and senior staff. A decision will then be taken as to whether the student concerned should
be allowed to retain his/her place at Knowledgevill School. 10 or more points acquired by a student
in the 12-month period before he/she is due to enter the Lower Sixth will call into question
automatic entry into the Sixth Form.

A record will be kept in a student’s School file of every occasion that a Principal’s Detention and
temporary exclusion were used as sanctions. Only those issued within the past 12 months will
contribute to a student’s disciplinary points total. Sanctions prior to the 12-month time period will
be disregarded with regard to the point’s total but will remain on file and could be referred to when
a disciplinary review is being undertaken.

Reviewed by the Principal, Senior Teachers, January 5, 2025: Next Review, January 2026.

School Principal: Mr F. Mushaninga

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