Behaviour & camera policy.

1. Policy statement

The British Online School is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and productive online learning environment where all students can learn effectively and achieve their full potential. All students are expected to behave in a manner that supports learning, respect, engagement and safeguarding within live online lessons. As part of enrolment, parents/guardians agree to this Behaviour & Camera Policy.

2. Expected behaviour

Students are expected to:

• Show respect to teachers and peers at all times
• Follow instructions from staff promptly
• Participate actively in lessons when required
• Use appropriate language in speech and written chat
• Remain on task during live lessons
• Ensure their learning environment is suitable for learning

Inappropriate behaviour includes (but is not limited to):

• Disruption of lessons
• Disrespectful communication
• Misuse of chat, microphone or platform tools
• Recording or sharing lessons without permission
• Any behaviour that negatively impacts the learning environment

The Principal and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) reserve the right to take action where behaviour does not meet expected standards.

3. Disciplinary procedure

Where expectations are not met, the School may apply the following steps:

1. Verbal warning from the teacher
2. Written communication to parents
3. Temporary removal from the lesson
4. Referral to SLT
5. Parent meeting with SLT
6. Suspension or permanent removal from lessons

In serious cases, the School may remove a student immediately without prior warning.

4. Camera policy overview

The British Online School recognises that camera use plays an important role in supporting engagement, communication, safeguarding and the social development of students in an online environment.

However, we also recognise that some students may experience anxiety, medical needs or additional learning needs that may affect their ability to use a camera consistently. This policy sets out the School's expectations regarding camera use during live lessons.

5. Camera policy agreement (all students)

As part of the admissions process, all parents/guardians are required to agree to this Behaviour & Camera Policy. The School operates a default expectation that all students will have their cameras switched on during live lessons. This is to support engagement, safeguarding, participation and effective teaching.

Where a student is unable to meet this expectation, parents/guardians must contact the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) or Principal directly either:

• Prior to enrolment, or
• As soon as circumstances change during enrolment

Any exception to the camera-on expectation must be formally reviewed and approved by the School in writing. Informal arrangements or assumptions will not be accepted.

The School will consider exceptions where appropriate, including (but not limited to) anxiety, medical needs or additional learning needs. Where approved, a tailored approach will be agreed between the School, parents/guardians and relevant staff. The School reserves the right to review or withdraw any approved exception at any time in the best interests of the student's learning, engagement and safeguarding.

6. Camera expectations (default – camera-on students)

Where no exception has been formally approved:

• Cameras must remain on throughout live lessons
• Students may be instructed to turn cameras on at any point
• Failure to comply will follow the escalation procedure below

Camera compliance procedure

1. Student is requested to turn camera on (maximum of 2 prompts)
2. If refusal continues, student may remain in lesson and parents are informed
3. Ongoing non-compliance is escalated to SLT
4. Three incidents within one week result in a parent meeting
5. Two parent meetings in one term may result in a two-week observation period
6. Continued non-compliance may result in removal from lessons

Where a student is removed from a lesson, they are expected to:

• Watch the lesson recording
• Complete all assigned work
• Submit work by the required deadline (normally 5pm unless otherwise stated)

7. Camera exemptions (approved cases)

Where a camera exemption has been formally approved:

• Students are not required to turn their camera on during lessons
• Students must still actively participate via chat or microphone when required
• Attendance and engagement expectations remain in place
• The School may review exemptions periodically

8. Communication and participation

Students are required to actively engage in lessons. This includes:

• Responding in chat when requested
• Unmuting when instructed
• Answering questions verbally or in written form

If a student fails to respond on two separate occasions in a lesson, they may be removed from that lesson.

9. Camera malfunctions or technical issues

If a camera cannot be used due to technical issues:

• The student must inform the teacher at the start of the lesson
• Parents/guardians may be asked to confirm the issue by email
• Temporary arrangements may be made at the discretion of the School

10. Examination camera requirements

KS3 (Years 7–9)

• Cameras must be on during formal assessments
• Failure to comply may result in a score of 0 unless prior exemption is agreed
• Where exemptions exist, parents may be required to assist with invigilation

KS4 (Years 10–11)

• Cameras must remain on for all examinations
• This ensures exam conditions closely reflect external IGCSE requirements

11. Parent meetings and engagement

Where a parent meeting is requested:

• Attendance is mandatory
• Failure to attend may result in suspension of lesson access until the meeting takes place
• Students must use lesson recordings during any absence

12. Visual expectations for camera use

Where cameras are on, students are expected to ensure:

• Their full face is visible (top of head to chin)
• Good lighting is used where possible
• The camera is positioned appropriately and remains stable
• The background is appropriate for a learning environment

13. General authority

The Principal and Senior Leadership Team retain full authority to interpret and enforce this policy in the best interests of student learning, safeguarding and school standards.

14. Policy review

This policy applies to the 2026/27 academic year and will be reviewed annually by the School leadership team.