All ITE trainees are expected to uphold the good reputation of the University, whether actually on one of the University sites, or elsewhere on education regulated placements. This Code of Conduct covers school and university-based training for all trainee teachers within the University of Staffordshire Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Partnership. It is underpinned by and supplements Part 2 of the Teachers’ Standards (DfE, 2012).
All Trainee Teachers within University of Staffordshire, ITE Partnership are expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct by:
- Becoming familiar with and respecting and adhering to all relevant statutory frameworks, policies and practices of both University of Staffordshire and relevant partnership schools in which they teach. Trainee Teachers should only use official channels of communication at work.
- Maintaining confidentiality, if you describe to someone else, in private or in public, things that you have done staff have done and seen as any part of your course you must maintain strict confidentiality of the pupils, parents, staff and specific organisations concerned.
- Prioritising the health, welfare and education of the pupils in your care, ensuring that all concerns regarding abuse, neglect and radicalisation are reported to the designated safeguarding lead at the placement provider, in line with their local policy. Should you become aware of any situation where others may be breaching their professional duty then you have a duty to report such concerns to an appropriate senior member of staff.
- Demonstrating respect for others, including pupils, colleagues, parents and carers, University staff, placement and staff from other agencies.
- Promoting equality of opportunity, challenging stereotypes, opposing prejudice, and respecting individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sex, social class, or sexual orientation.
- Promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils, incorporating Fundamental British Values ensuring that only appropriate beliefs and views are shared with pupils and associated individuals.
- Acting with honesty and integrity and ensuring that any activity in your personal life, including use of any social media and online networking sites, does not risk bring the teaching profession, the University or the ITE Partnership into disrepute.
- Maintaining high standards of attendance and punctuality and strictly adhering to procedures for informing the University and placement providers of any absences. Failure to comply could question your fitness to practise.
- Maintaining high professional standards of dress and appearance whilst on placement.
- Maintain appropriate effective and professional relationships with staff, pupils, parents and carers. You are in a position of trust in relation to your role within the placement, as such you are subject to the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Should your professionalism be called in question the Fitness to Practise policy would be invoked.
- Taking responsibility for your own learning and responding positively to and acting upon, advice and feedback academic feedback from University tutors, mentors and placement provider-based staff. Any form of academic misconduct is a breach of University expectations and will most likely result in disciplinary action under the general regulations of the University, this could also call into question your Fitness to Practise.
- Reporting information honestly and accurately when completing the Self-Declaration Form and Occupational Health questionnaire and notifying the University promptly if there are any changes to this information during the programme.
- Always adhering to GDPR regulations. If you suspect a breach, you should discuss the situation with the Data Protection Officer so that they can advise on any immediate actions to contain the breach. The Data Protection Officer can be contacted at dataprotection@staffs.ac.uk