Last Updated: 31st March, 2025

 

1. Introduction

• Purpose of the Policy: To establish clear expectations for students to create a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment.

• Scope: This policy applies to all students, staff, and visitors involved in the film academy activities within school settings.

 

At Ciné Schools there’s a certain expectation for our staff and our students to ensure all members of Film Academies and Film Camps are kept safe and that the experience of collaborating is an enjoyable experience for all. 

 

This is why we developed the Ciné Schools Charter which we read out at the beginning of our programme. 

 

• We are filmmakers

• We are going to make the best film we can in the time we have available to us 

• We are going to make a film that will be seen by our friends, our teachers, our family and the public

• We want to make something we're proud of and will want to show to the world

• We will make a film that involves all of us

• We will listen to everyone's ideas

• We understand that collectively, all of our ideas are better than one 

• We understand that we have to listen to our teachers before we go into production 

• When we hear 'Quiet on Set' - it means we're ready to begin filming so we must be quiet and focused!

 

2. Respect for Self and Others

• Behavioural Expectations: Students must behave respectfully towards instructors, peers, and themselves at all times.

• Harassment and Bullying: Ciné Schools has a zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, or any form of emotional or physical abuse, to any and all members of the Academy or Camp crew.

• Inclusivity: Students are expected to respect cultural, racial, gender, and any other differences.

 

3. Safety

• Equipment Use: Students must follow all guidelines for using film equipment safely and responsibly. Clear instructions as well as training on using equipment safely will be provided in the sessions.

• Physical Safety: Any physical activity related to film making should prioritise student safety and students should comply with venue/school safety protocols.

• Emergency Procedures: Staff will ensure that all participants are aware of emergency exits, meeting points, and steps to follow in case of an incident. All students should ensure they listen and follow instructions of the adults quickly and carefully.

 

4. Responsibility

• Attendance and Punctuality: Students should attend all scheduled meetings and activities punctually.

• Care of Property: Students must show respect for the property of the school/venue, Ciné Schools and it’s staff as well as others, including careful handling of all equipment on set.

• Completion of Assignments: Encouragement to complete all assignments and projects in good time will be given by staff and students should aim to get as far as possible with tasks set during Film Academy and Film Camp sessions.

 

5. Ethical Film Making

• Content Guidelines: It is the responsibility of Ciné Schools and it’s staff to offer guidance on suitable content and promote creativity while ensuring topics are age-appropriate and culturally sensitive. Students should respect these guidelines and make changes to ideas, pre-production and production elements at the request of the adults taking the session.

• Intellectual Property: Respect for copyright laws and the creative rights of others will be taught during relevant sessions and students should adhere to these guides.

 

6. Discipline and Consequences

• Policy Enforcement: It is the responsibility of the Ciné Schools staff running any Academy or Camp session to clearly outline the consequences of failing to adhere to the behaviour policy. Students will be made aware that there are a range of responses to negative behaviour, from warnings to removal from the program, depending on the severity and frequency of the offence.

• Process for Addressing Issues: Ciné Schools is responsible for establishing a fair process for handling incidents, including investigation and giving students the opportunity to explain their actions. The Strike System below will be used should any of the guidelines in this document be transgressed.

 

3 STRIKE SYSTEM

Low level behaviour issues will be handled quickly and calmly during the session. Should an individual, or individuals file to respond to the request for behaviour change or should behaviour issues escalate to a situation whereby the staff are concerned about the safety of any individual or that the session is unable to continue as planned, the following strike system will come into play:

 

1. A first strike, the individual will be asked to take a time out to consider their actions and at that point a member of staff will inform the individual that his/her school will be informed of the poor behaviour. In contacting the school, Ciné Schools ask that this issue is flagged up with the student by a school representative before the next Film Academy session. 

2. A second strike, whether in the same or a subsequent session, a second transgression of the expected behaviour will result in another time out and confirmation to the student concerned that their parent will be informed of their repeated poor behaviour by the production manager and that this behaviour can’t continue. 

3. A third strike again the student will be asked to take a time out, reminded of the behaviour issue and that the next step is that Ciné Schools management will inform the SLT at the school where the Film Academy is taking place and the parent(s) via email. They will be notified that another incident the same term will result in the cancellation of their attendance. 

 

Prior to the strike system being put into action, all effort will be made by the Ciné Schools staff taking the film Academy to work with the individual misbehaving and support them in changing their behaviour. 

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7. Parental Involvement and Communication

• Regular Updates: Ciné Schools will provide regular updates to parents about what their children are learning and doing in the program. This can take the form of our regular weekly email newsletters as well as occasional school specific communication that may come during the term.

• Parental Support: Should there be repeated minor behaviour issues that need to be addressed, Ciné Schools staff may approach a parent or responsible adult at pick-up and talk through repeated issues to understand how to hope the student get the most from Film Academy. Ciné Schools will encourage parents to support their children’s learning and creativity at home and to reinforce the importance of good behaviour.

• Feedback and concerns: should a parent or guardian of a student attending Film Academy or Film Camp babe any feedback or be concerned about the behaviour of any individual attending or staffing the Film Academy they should contact office@cineschools.com, who will respond within 48 hours.

 

8. Review and Acknowledgment

• Policy Revision: Ciné Schools commits to reviewing the policy annually or as necessary to ensure it meets the needs of all stakeholders.

• Acknowledgment: The behaviour policy is referenced in the Ciné Schools Terms and Conditions published on www.CineSchools.com, in addition this policy is available to review on the same website. By completing a booking, either online direct with Ciné Schools or through the school or other arrangement where fees are covered by a third party, the named student(s) and their parents/guardians acknowledge and agree to they have read and understood and agreed to this Behaviour Policy.