Version: 2.0 | Status: Active | Last Updated: July 15, 2025 | Next Review: July 15, 2026
Responsible Officer: Designated Safeguarding Lead
Full policy: nsemm.org.uk/policies/hr-conduct/code-of-conduct-for-students-and-parents
This Code of Conduct establishes expectations for all participants in NSEMM's educational services, including students, parents, guardians, and family members. By participating in NSEMM tutoring or mentoring, students and guardians agree to follow this Code of Conduct.
All participants must communicate respectfully with staff, volunteers, and other participants. Expected behaviours include using appropriate language, listening carefully, following instructions, treating everyone with kindness, and never bullying or threatening others.
Bullying, harassment, or any form of unkind behaviour is not acceptable and will result in immediate action. This includes name-calling, mockery, threats, or conduct creating unsafe feelings.
Students should arrive on time with necessary materials prepared, ensure good lighting and sound, adopt a growth mindset, and engage actively throughout sessions.
Participants in video sessions must dress appropriately for professional learning environments -- not in pyjamas, nightwear, or dressing gowns. Clothing should be suitable as if meeting a teacher at school.
Sessions must occur in appropriate, private, secure rooms within homes. Spaces should have suitable furniture, tidy backgrounds appropriate for educational calls, and minimal distractions.
Parents or guardians must remain available nearby during all sessions. While older students may not require a trusted adult in the same room, parents must remain contactable and easily reached. Other family members, including siblings, should not be present during sessions.
Recording any sessions by students, parents, or family members is strictly banned under all circumstances. This includes video recording, audio recording, screenshots, and any session content capture. NSEMM detects recording and screenshot attempts through monitoring systems. Tutors may pause or stop sessions immediately upon detection. Breaking recording rules may result in account suspension or termination.
Technology must serve educational purposes only during sessions. Prohibited uses include visiting non-educational websites/apps, playing games, communicating with people outside the session, and using phones during lessons.
All communication with NSEMM staff and volunteers must happen only through official NSEMM channels including the NSEMM Hub messaging system, scheduled video sessions on approved platforms, and official email addresses. Contacting staff outside official channels is strictly banned and may result in immediate account closure and safeguarding reports.
Login details must never be shared with anyone, including family members or friends. Account access is strictly personal.
NSEMM helps participants understand schoolwork rather than complete it. Support includes explaining concepts, developing study techniques, guiding through practice questions, and preparing for examinations.
Staff can help break down assignment requirements, provide general planning/structure advice, and explain marking criteria. Staff cannot suggest specific content, edit or improve drafts, or provide answers or example paragraphs.
Staff may guide responsible AI tool use for practice questions, concept exploration, and brainstorming. You must not submit AI-generated content as your own work in any assignment or exam.
Parents and guardians must remain available nearby throughout sessions, monitor student behaviour and engagement, verify technology and environment requirements, and address concerns quickly.
NSEMM reserves the right to restrict or terminate student participation if a parent or guardian's conduct violates this Code of Conduct including failure to provide appropriate supervision, using inappropriate language or behaviour toward staff, repeatedly breaching communication protocols, and creating safeguarding concerns.
Zero Tolerance for Abuse: NSEMM has a zero tolerance policy for verbal abuse, threats, or aggressive behaviour towards staff and volunteers. Incidents result in automatic safeguarding referral, potential legal action, and immediate service termination.
Breaking Code of Conduct rules may result in:
Students and families may appeal disciplinary decisions through the complaints procedure. Where access is temporarily suspended due to Code of Conduct violations, refunds are not guaranteed.
For Code of Conduct questions, contact NSEMM through the feedback page or speak with tutors during scheduled sessions. For urgent safeguarding concerns, contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead through Safeguarding Policy procedures.