studying and working

together as a community

Here at Betonica, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where we can study and work together as a cohesive community. To ensure that we are all on the same page and fully understand what is expected of our students, we ask that you take the time to read through all sections of the Student Conduct Policy in detail. This will help maintain our shared values and expectations as we embark on this educational journey together.

A downloadable version of this policy can be found in the Policies & Procedures files (accessd from the All Years page).

1.1 This procedure sets out the standards of conduct that Betonica School of Herbal Medicine expects of its students, and provides the School’s approach to dealing with allegations of student misconduct.
1.2 Betonica School of Herbal Medicine has many individuals studying and working together as a community. In order for such a community to function effectively, and to ensure the environment is conducive to teaching and learning, students are required to meet certain standards of conduct, and the School to have a fair and consistent procedure where they do not.
2.1 The School recognises that disciplinary processes should be restorative in nature, and students where possible, should seek learning opportunities from mistakes. At the same time an escalating procedure is required for allegations of increasing seriousness.
2.2 The Procedure covers both Academic and General Misconduct with differing degrees of severity of allegation and response.
2.3 The School has a zero tolerance policy towards violence and harassment of any type.
2.4 The School seeks to achieve an environment which upholds the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and especially mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths, beliefs and practices, and the Disciplinary Process should contribute to upholding these values.
2.5 The School is committed to conducting all stages of its Disciplinary Procedures fairly, consistently, and in proportion to the misconduct being considered. Support and guidance is available to students involved at any stage of the procedure from the Betonica Board.
3.1 The standards of conduct expected, and procedures applied where there are allegations of misconduct, apply to all students, whether on site or representing the School off-site, whether engaged in School activity in term time or non-term time, and when in School accommodation (or accommodation the School has organised) which may in addition have its own rules of conduct.
3.2 The procedure covers both academic and general misconduct.
3.3 Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, poor attendance, failure to submit work on time or meet academic targets, plagiarism and cheating in exams.
3.4 General misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
1. Bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment) or discrimination against another person, including in communications via social media
2. Acts bringing the School’s reputation into disrepute
3. Inappropriate behaviour in clinic or failure to adhere to the clinic code of conduct
4. Damage to or theft of property from the School or from others
5. Disruption of School learning, enrichment or social activities
6. Persistent failure to comply with School rules and policies or respond to previously agreed sanctions
7. Misuse of alcohol, drugs and legal highs
8. Any criminal activities
9. Activities that provide a risk to other students, staff and visitors
10. Communications, in person and via electronic communications, e.g. forum, email and social media. Tone, manner and approach should be at all times professional and respectful.
4.1 If there are any concerns about a student’s behaviour or academic conduct, staff will convene a meeting with the student’s Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) and/or other staff involved, to discuss where support/intervention might be needed. The steps involved are as follows, and if unresolved, will progress to the next stage:
4.2 Stage 1 Disciplinary Procedure
When? Stage 1 usually involves intervention by staff at an early stage for an issue or incident which is relatively contained and minor. In some cases if an incident is deemed more serious, it may pass straight to Stage 2.
Who? The Personal Tutor and a member of staff meets the student(s) concerned, discusses the issue and sets a target for improvement which is recorded on the pro forma.
Sanctions may include a verbal warning, a requirement for an apology, etc.
4.3 Stage 2 Disciplinary Procedure
When? Stage 2 is for cases where action at Stage 1 has failed to resolve matters or lead to improvements, or, for academic misconduct, including but not limited to: plagiarism and cheating.
Who? The Personal Tutor and Course Leader or Head of Year meets the student(s) concerned, discusses the issue and sets targets for improvement which are recorded.
Sanctions may include a written warning, adjustment to marks, a requirement for an apology or restorative justice session, or a ban from a particular area, facility or service of the School or reparation to the School or an individual for damage to property for example.
4.4 Stage 3 Disciplinary Procedure
When? Stage 3 is for cases of serious misconduct and / or failure to meet targets where action at Stage 2 has failed to resolve matters or lead to improvements. Investigation is often required prior to the Stage 3 Hearing. Where a criminal act is involved, police action will take precedence over School action, and advice will be sought about whether a student should be allowed to continue at School pending a board decision, criminal investigation or court appearance.
Who? An independent panel may be appointed (e.g. an Academic Integrity Board), or it may be chaired by e.g. the Head of Year responsible for the course year in which the student studies. The Course Leader provides the School’s side of the case, and the student is supported by their Personal Tutor or a support person of their own choosing.
The Head of Year may wish, for particularly complex cases or severe misconduct, to invite a Student Representatve or Board Member to join the Stage 3.
Sanctions may include temporary or complete exclusion from the School or from School accommodation; or continuing at School but with conditions set.
When? An appeal may be made against the outcome of a Stage 3 Disciplinary within 3 months of the decision, only on the following grounds:
- Information is now available which was not available at the time of the Stage 3
Who? An Appeal Panel chaired by the Course Leader will be set up within 30 days of the request for an appeal.
Outcomes of an Appeal Hearing are limited to:
• Confirmation of the Stage 3 Panel’s decision e.g. uphold the exclusion of a student
• Reversal of the Stage 3 Panel’s decision e.g. reinstate an excluded student on a programme
See your Head of Year for more information about preparation and procedure for a Stage 3 Disciplinary Appeal.
This procedure should not be read in isolation and should be read in conjunction with other relevant School policies and procedures including:
This procedure will be reviewed every two years (or sooner where appropriate) by the Betonica Directors