Policies

On this page you will find details of the Skylarks Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Data Protection Policies.

Code of Conduct

Students are expected to contribute positively during online sessions and behave appropriately in their listening and responding - this will include following any rules given by the tutor during the classes and treating their classmates with kindness and respect during discussions.

The parent/guardian has primary responsibility for the welfare and safety of the student during online sessions and should be present or available to deal with any concerns or incidents reported to them. A parent/guardian is to be copied in to all emails between the student and the tutor, both for written assignments and with any further communication about the lessons or homework. Students are expected to follow the same level of polite conduct in their written communication as in their speech during lessons.

Zoom meetings are used for all live classes. The tutor will check the names of all students before allowing them into the meeting room. Students should set their video background setting to blurred for privacy and avoid sharing personal information during class (e.g., home address, date of birth or contact details). The Zoom sessions will not be recorded and all participants are to refrain from taking photos or screenshots of the lessons. If anything happens during an online session that causes a serious safeguarding concern, then the tutor will end the meeting immediately.

In the event that any student behaves inappropriately or uses inappropriate language during the online sessions, the student will be reminded of the Skylarks expectations of behaviour and given the opportunity to engage appropriately for the rest of class. If the behaviour continues the student will be removed from the Zoom meeting and the parent/guardian will be informed. Under normal circumstances we operate a three strikes and you're out rule; on the third occasion a student has been removed from class they will no longer be welcome on the course. There are no refunds given under these circumstances.

Homework submitted by students must be their own work, including verbal narrations given in class. As with standard copyright legislation, any reference to another person's work must be credited to the source. If a student submits homework that is copied, or found to be AI generated, Skylarks will treat the matter seriously. The student will be made aware of the implications of their actions and how plagiarism demonstrates a dishonesty which undermines the entire academic endeavour. In the event that they are found to have broken this rule a second time, they will be removed from the course and no refund will be given. 

If a parent/guardian is concerned about any aspect of the course, including the behaviour of other students, they should share these concerns with the tutor as soon as possible. 

Safeguarding

Skylarks is committed to ensuring the highest possible standard of safeguarding. The personal safety and well-being of each student and tutor participating in a Skylarks course is paramount. All parents/guardians of students participating in Skylarks courses also have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to work in a way that protects them. Skylarks will give equal priority to keeping all children and young people safe regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief. Skylarks recognises that some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of discrimination, previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues. We will follow the code of conduct detailed below.

1. Tutors will listen to the children and treat them with dignity and care.

2. All parents/guardians will remain responsible for the health and safety of their own children whilst participating in Skylarks courses.

3.  The tutor will ensure that there is a minimum of two students in any online class. This may mean students remain in the Zoom waiting room at the start of sessions before being admitted to the meeting.

4.  If anyone is aware of any incident or allegation of abuse or causes of concern relating to Skylarks, they are to inform the tutor without delay.

5.  Any report of a contravention of the Safeguarding policy will be reviewed by Skylarks, who may engage independent Child Protection consultants to ensure that an appropriate and timely course of action is taken. If a report concerns minor breach of the safeguarding policy, Skylarks will make a decision as to appropriate action which may include barring the reported person from participating in Skylarks courses. If a report is received by Skylarks which concerns the immediate safety of a student or any illegal activity during an online class, they will be required to contact UK police and report the incident.

Data Protection

By sharing your personal information with Skylarks, you acknowledge that this data may be used to contact you with information about Skylarks courses. When Skylarks receives any personal data, it shall ensure that it complies with the UK's General Data Protection Regulation. Skylarks will take all reasonable precautions to preserve the integrity and prevent any corruption or loss, damage or destruction of the data. If the client directs Skylarks to erase data that they have provided to the company, then Skylarks will do so.