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Whistleblowing Policy

Whistleblowing Policy

Whistleblowing Policy

To download a copy of the information on this webpage, click here. 

Contents
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    Contents
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      1. About this policy

      1.1) We are committed to conducting our school with honesty and integrity and we expect all staff to maintain high standards. Any suspected wrongdoing should be reported as soon as possible.

      1.2) This policy covers all employees, consultants, contractors, volunteers, casual workers and agency workers.

      1.3) This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and we may amend it at any time.

      2. What is whistleblowing?

      2.1) Whistleblowing is the reporting of suspected wrongdoing or dangers in relation to our activities. This includes bribery, facilitation of tax evasion, fraud or other criminal activity, miscarriages of justice, health and safety risks, damage to the environment and any breach of legal or professional obligations.

      3. How to raise a concern

      3.1) We hope that in many cases you will be able to raise any concerns with your manager. However, where you prefer not to raise it with your manager for any reason, you should contact the Headteacher.

      3.2) We will arrange a meeting with you as soon as possible to discuss your concern. You may bring a colleague or union representative to any meetings under this policy. Your companion must respect the confidentiality of your disclosure and any subsequent investigation.

      4. Confidentiality

      4.1) We hope that staff will feel able to voice whistleblowing concerns openly under this policy. Completely anonymous disclosures are difficult to investigate. If you want to raise your concern confidentially, we will make every effort to keep your identity secret and only reveal it where necessary to those involved in investigating your concern.

      5. External Disclosures

      5.1) The aim of this policy is to provide an internal mechanism for reporting, investigating and remedying any wrongdoing in the workplace. In most cases you should not find it necessary to alert anyone externally.

      5.2) The law recognises that in some circumstances it may be appropriate for you to report your concerns to an external body such as a regulator. We strongly encourage you to seek advice before reporting a concern to anyone external.

      6. Protection and support for whistleblowers

      6.1) We aim to encourage openness and will support whistleblowers who raise genuine concerns under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken.

      6.2) Whistleblowers must not suffer any detrimental treatment as a result of raising a genuine concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform your line manager or the Headteacher immediately. If the matter is not remedied you should raise it formally using our Grievance Procedure.

      6.3) You must not threaten or retaliate against whistleblowers in any way. If you are involved in such conduct you may be subject to disciplinary action.

      6.4) However, if we conclude that a whistleblower has made false allegations maliciously, the whistleblower may be subject to disciplinary action.

      How Yondr Works

      Frequently Asked Questions

      We want our students to be engaged in their learning. A child at high school should not really have a reason to contact a parent during the day; however, if there is a genuine reason e.g. they have forgotten their packed lunch, a phone call can be made home from the school office. If a parent needs to contact their child in an emergency, they should contact the school office. If you need to contact your child during the school day, contact the main office on 01942 883796.

      In case of a school emergency, we direct our students to safety first, following our school emergency procedures.

       

      Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch safely in their school bag or blazer pockets.

      If a student damages their Pouch or is caught on their phone, we will confiscate the phone and issue a sanction which is likely to be a suspension.

      Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school or Yondr staff.

      Damaged pouches will be charged to parents at a cost of £20.

      They will be searched and wanded with a handheld scanner by a member of SLT. If they are found to have their phone on their person they will be expected to place it in their pouch. Refusal will be met with suspension.

      If a student forgets their Pouch, their phone will be confiscated.

      As per our previous mobile phone policy;

      • Confiscated phones will be taken to reception where the phone will be secured in the school safe.
      • Parents will be alerted to the phone confiscation via the school office.

      Parents will have the option to collect the phone at the end of the day. If parents do not collect the phone, the phone will remain in school until the end of the week or until the student has their pouch.

      In Yondr’s experience, this almost never happens. All students funnel past the unlocking stations at the exits, they want their phones back and don’t forget to unlock their pouches. If they do arrive home with a phone in a pouch, they can either come back to school to unlock it, or have a phone free evening!

      The unlocking process is quick and takes under a second per student. 

      As a privilege, Year 11 will be able to unlock their phones as they go off site at lunchtime; however, they will be expected to put their phones back into their pouches when they return to school for period 5.

      Yes. There is an adapted version of the pouch which uses a Velcro fastener instead of a magnetic lock. This means the student still follows the policy, but the adapted pouch gives them easy access to their phone when required. If the student abuses this, they will face a sanction. We are already aware of these students.

      Your Office 365 account username is your school network account username followed by @flhs.wigan.sch.uk 
      The password is the same password that you use in school to access computers.