Code of Conduct for Students and Parents

Introduction and Purpose

This Code of Conduct sets out the rules and expectations for everyone taking part in NSEMM’s educational services. It applies to all students, parents, guardians, and family members who use our tutoring and mentoring programmes.

Following these rules helps create a safe, respectful, and effective learning environment where everyone can succeed. This Code of Conduct works alongside our other important policies which you can find at /policies, including our Safeguarding Policy and Website Terms.

By taking part in NSEMM tutoring or mentoring, students and their parents/guardians agree to follow this Code of Conduct and keep to its rules.

Definitions

Participants: Students and their parents/guardians or trusted adults who are involved in NSEMM services.

Sessions: All NSEMM educational activities including live video tutoring and mentoring sessions, asynchronous messaging through the NSEMM Hub, and any other educational interactions with NSEMM staff and volunteers.

NSEMM Hub: Our secure online platform where students and families can book sessions, send messages to staff, and access educational resources.

NSEMM Staff and Volunteers: All people who work for or volunteer with NSEMM, including tutors, mentors, administrators, and support staff.

Trusted Adults: Parents, guardians, or other responsible adults who have been designated to supervise and support a student’s participation in NSEMM services.

Professional Standards and Safeguarding

Note: All NSEMM staff and volunteers follow a separate Code of Conduct and receive Safeguarding Training. Every person working with NSEMM has been carefully checked and must meet high professional standards. If you have any concerns about how a member of staff or volunteer behaves, please report this immediately using our feedback and concern form.

Data Protection and Confidentiality: NSEMM follows strict data protection standards. Any information shared during sessions is kept confidential, following our Safeguarding Policy and Data Protection Policy. Session recordings are stored securely and only accessed for safeguarding, training, or quality assurance purposes.

Inclusion and Accessibility: NSEMM is committed to inclusion and will make reasonable adjustments to ensure fair access for students with additional needs. Families are encouraged to tell us about any accessibility requirements (such as neurodivergence, physical disabilities, or mental health conditions) so we can discuss and put in place appropriate support.

General Behaviour Rules

Respectful Communication and Anti-Bullying

Everyone taking part in NSEMM sessions must communicate respectfully with staff, volunteers, and other participants at all times. Treat others how you want to be treated and celebrate differences. This means:

• Using appropriate language that is not offensive, discriminatory, or hurtful

• Listening carefully and taking part constructively in learning activities

• Following instructions first time and accepting guidance from NSEMM staff and volunteers

• Treating everyone with kindness and consideration

• Never bullying, threatening, or being mean to anyone

Bullying, harassment, or any form of unkind behaviour is not acceptable and will result in immediate action. This includes name-calling, making fun of others, threatening behaviour, or any conduct that makes others feel unsafe or upset.

Creating a Professional Learning Environment

Sessions must happen in places that help learning and maintain professional standards. Be ready to learn by ensuring you have:

• A quiet, private space with minimal distractions

• Good lighting and sound so everyone can see and hear clearly

• A growth mindset and readiness to focus on educational activities throughout the session

• All materials you need for learning prepared in advance

Be ready to learn: Arrive on time, every time with necessary materials prepared, technology set up and tested beforehand, clear understanding of what the session will cover, and enthusiasm to take part in planned learning activities.

Try your best, always and own your learning by engaging actively with all activities and taking responsibility for your educational progress.

Session Environment and Appearance

Appropriate Dress Code

Everyone taking part in video sessions must dress appropriately for a professional learning environment. This means:

• Being fully dressed in suitable clothes (not pyjamas, nightwear, or dressing gowns)

• Wearing clothes that would be appropriate for school or meeting with a teacher

• Making sure your appearance is suitable for educational video calls that are recorded

You don’t need to wear formal clothes, but your outfit should be respectful and appropriate for learning with education professionals.

Setting Up Your Space

Sessions must take place in appropriate spaces within your home that support safe and effective learning:

• Use a private, secure room in your house

• Make sure you have suitable furniture and seating to be comfortable

• Keep your background tidy and appropriate for educational video calls

• Avoid virtual backgrounds when possible to help with clear communication

Supervision Requirements

Parents or guardians must be available nearby during all sessions to provide appropriate oversight and be immediately available if needed. Whilst older students don’t always need a trusted adult in the same room, parents must be contactable and easily reached throughout the session.

Other family members, including brothers and sisters, should not be in the session room during educational activities to maintain privacy, focus, and appropriate professional boundaries.

Reducing Distractions

Please try to minimise distractions during sessions by:

• Keeping pets in separate areas where possible

• Reducing background noise and household activity

• Turning off notifications on devices not being used for the session

• Avoiding eating meals during educational time (water is fine and encouraged)

Technology Rules and Online Safety

Recording and Screenshot Rules

Recording any sessions by students, parents, or family members is strictly banned under all circumstances. This includes:

• Video recording of any kind

• Audio recording of sessions

• Taking screenshots during sessions

• Any other way of capturing or saving session content

NSEMM can detect when someone tries to record or take screenshots through our monitoring systems. If this happens, your tutor may pause or stop the session immediately. Breaking these recording rules may result in your account being suspended or terminated.

Appropriate Technology Use

Technology must only be used for educational purposes during sessions:

You can:

• Access lesson materials and resources provided by NSEMM

• Take part in interactive learning activities

• Communicate with staff through approved platform features

• Engage with educational content as directed by your tutor

You cannot:

• Visit non-educational websites or apps during sessions

• Play games or use entertainment apps

• Talk to people outside the session

• Use your phone during lessons – phone use in school sessions will be referred to the school; in pay-what-you-can sessions, we’ll speak to your trusted adult if it interrupts your learning

• Use technology in any way that distracts from learning or creates safety concerns

Keeping Your Account Safe

Never share your login details with anyone else, including family members, friends, or other students. Your account access is strictly personal and sharing login information is a serious security problem that may result in your account being immediately closed.

You must only access NSEMM services through official platforms and approved channels. Trying to get around security measures or access areas you shouldn’t creates serious safety risks and is strictly forbidden.

Communication Rules

All communication with NSEMM staff and volunteers must happen only through official NSEMM channels:

• The NSEMM Hub messaging system

• Scheduled video sessions on approved platforms

• Official email addresses provided by NSEMM

Contacting staff outside these official channels is strictly banned and may result in your account being immediately closed and a safeguarding report being made. This rule protects everyone and makes sure appropriate professional boundaries are kept at all times.

Breaking these communication rules puts both students and staff at risk and may result in staff facing disciplinary action. Any attempts to communicate privately outside official channels will be treated as a serious safeguarding concern.

Acceptable Use Policy

When using NSEMM’s technology platforms and services, you must follow these additional rules:

You must not:

• Try to hack, damage, or gain unauthorised access to NSEMM systems

• Upload viruses, malware, or other harmful software

• Attempt to access other users’ accounts or personal information

• Use automated tools or robots to access our services

• Try to disrupt or interfere with the normal operation of our platforms

• Share, copy, or distribute NSEMM’s educational materials without permission

• Use NSEMM services for any illegal activities

• Impersonate other people or create fake accounts

These activities are serious violations that will result in immediate account termination and may be reported to relevant authorities.

Academic Honesty and Learning Support

How NSEMM Helps with Learning

NSEMM is here to help you understand your schoolwork — not to do it for you. Own your learning and develop independence while we provide support. Our educational support focuses on building your understanding, developing your skills, and increasing your confidence while making sure you maintain academic honesty.

Our support includes explaining concepts and ideas, helping you develop study techniques, guiding you through practice questions, and helping you prepare for examinations. This support works alongside your school education and helps you become an independent learner.

Homework Help Rules

You can:

• Ask for help understanding homework questions

• Get support with revision, practice questions, or difficult topics

• Receive feedback on your ideas or working methods

You cannot:

• Ask your tutor to give you answers

• Copy from anything your tutor writes during sessions

• Use NSEMM sessions to complete work you are being marked on

NSEMM staff will help you understand concepts and develop problem-solving skills but will not complete homework tasks or provide work that you could submit as your own.

Coursework and Assessment Rules

Coursework includes projects, essays, portfolios, or coursework that count towards your grades. This requires particularly strict rules about academic honesty.

Staff can:

• Help you break down what the task is asking

• Give general advice on planning and structure

• Explain marking criteria and help you stay on track

Staff cannot:

• Suggest what to write

• Edit or improve your drafts

• Give answers or write example paragraphs

Asking a member of staff to do any of these things may be considered academic misconduct and could result in serious consequences.

Using AI Tools

You may ask about AI tools like ChatGPT during sessions, and staff will guide you on responsible and ethical use for practice questions, exploring concepts, and brainstorming ideas.

You must not submit AI-generated content as your own work in any assignment or exam. NSEMM promotes honest and responsible AI use while helping you understand appropriate boundaries.

Academic Misconduct Consequences

NSEMM takes academic honesty seriously and monitors all sessions to make sure academic standards are maintained. If staff believe academic misconduct is happening (such as cheating, copying, or asking for inappropriate help), they will:

• Pause the session immediately

• Report the concern to the safeguarding or academic team

• Share evidence (including recordings) with your school or institution if needed

Repeated or serious breaches may result in:

• A formal warning

• Temporary suspension from NSEMM services

• Permanent removal from our programmes

When You’re Not Sure

If you’re not sure whether something is allowed — just ask! Your tutor will always help you understand the rules and keep things fair.

Emergency Procedures and Technical Problems

When Technology Goes Wrong

If your session is interrupted by technical problems:

• Try to reconnect within 10 minutes using normal troubleshooting steps

• If you can’t reconnect, contact your tutor through the NSEMM Hub messaging system

• Report the problem through the NSEMM Hub or our feedback form

Ongoing technical problems may require us to check your equipment and internet connection to make sure everything works properly with NSEMM platforms.

Emergency Contacts

For urgent safeguarding or welfare concerns when normal communication isn’t available, contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead directly at [email protected] or use the emergency contact procedures provided to enrolled users.

Emergency contacts should only be used for genuine safety concerns, not for routine technical issues or general questions which should go through normal channels.

When Sessions Have to Stop

If sessions must be ended because of emergency situations, safety concerns, or serious rule-breaking, staff will follow established procedures including immediately reporting concerns to safeguarding leads, documenting what happened and what actions were taken, and appropriate follow-up with families and relevant authorities where necessary.

Use of NSEMM Content and Branding

Students and families must not post screenshots, recordings, or identifiable information from sessions on social media or other platforms without explicit written permission from NSEMM. This protects student privacy and maintains professional standards.

This includes not sharing:

• Screenshots or photos from video sessions

• Names or details about NSEMM staff or other students

• Educational materials or resources provided during sessions

• Any content that could identify NSEMM or its participants

In-Person or Group Activities

Where NSEMM activities take place in person or in group settings, this Code of Conduct applies with appropriate changes. Additional rules specific to venue-based learning will be provided in advance and must be followed at all times.

Rules for Parents and Guardians

Supervision and Oversight Responsibilities

Parents and guardians are responsible for making sure appropriate supervision happens during sessions including:

• Being available nearby throughout the session

• Monitoring student behaviour and engagement

• Making sure technology and environment requirements are met

• Addressing any concerns or issues quickly

You should also make sure students are prepared for sessions, technology is working properly, the environment is suitable for learning, and family circumstances support effective educational engagement.

Communication and Working Together

Parents should stay in regular contact with NSEMM about student progress, any changes in circumstances affecting participation, concerns about session quality or content, and feedback about how effective our services are.

Working together includes taking part in progress discussions, supporting educational recommendations, addressing behavioural or engagement concerns quickly, and working with NSEMM to get the best learning outcomes.

Supporting Academic Honesty

Parents play important roles in supporting academic honesty by reinforcing expectations about honest academic work, discussing appropriate boundaries for educational help, monitoring completion of formal schoolwork to ensure independence, and addressing any concerns about academic misconduct quickly.

Parent and Guardian Conduct

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

• Use of inappropriate language or behaviour towards NSEMM staff or volunteers

• Repeated breaches of communication protocols

• Any conduct that creates safeguarding concerns

Zero Tolerance for Abuse: NSEMM has a zero tolerance policy for verbal abuse, threats, or aggressive behaviour towards our staff and volunteers. Any incidents of abusive behaviour will result in:

• Immediate automatic safeguarding referral

• Potential legal action and prosecution where appropriate

• Immediate termination of all services

Our staff and volunteers deserve to work in a safe, respectful environment. Abusive behaviour of any kind is completely unacceptable and will be dealt with to the full extent of our policies and the law.

Parents and guardians are expected to model respectful behaviour and support their child’s adherence to this Code of Conduct.

Consequences and What Happens When Rules Are Broken

How We Respond to Rule-Breaking

Take responsibility for your own actions and respect the rules. Breaking the rules in this Code of Conduct may result in different responses depending on how serious the problem is:

• Informal guidance for minor issues

• Formal warnings for repeated or concerning behaviour

• Temporary suspension for serious violations

• Permanent account closure for severe misconduct or safeguarding concerns

All disciplinary decisions are reviewed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead with escalation to trustees for serious breaches or complex situations.

Immediate Response Situations

Certain rule violations require immediate response including:

• Any behaviour that creates safety risks

• Recording or screenshot attempts

• Communication outside official channels

• Academic dishonesty or cheating

• Bullying or inappropriate conduct towards staff or other users

Immediate responses may include ending the session, suspending the account while we investigate, reporting safeguarding concerns to relevant authorities, and putting additional protective measures in place.

Appeals Process

Students and families may appeal disciplinary decisions through our complaints procedure with clear documentation of circumstances and reasons for the appeal.

Appeal reviews consider all relevant evidence, whether procedures were followed correctly, whether the response was proportionate, and opportunities for resolution or support that address underlying concerns while maintaining safety and standards.

Refunds and Suspensions

Where access is temporarily suspended due to Code of Conduct violations, refunds are not guaranteed. Sessions may be paused whilst we resolve safeguarding, behavioural, or technical concerns.

Learning from Mistakes

Wherever possible, our responses to rule-breaking include educational elements to help students understand expectations and develop appropriate behaviour for future participation in NSEMM services.

Remember, we complete lesson reports and ask for your feedback at the end of every session to help us support your learning journey and address any concerns promptly.

Support may include additional guidance on academic honesty, communication skills development, technology use training, or referral to external support services that address underlying issues affecting behaviour or engagement.

Getting Help and Asking Questions

For questions about this Code of Conduct, what’s expected of you, or concerns about following the rules, please contact us through our feedback page or speak with your tutor during scheduled sessions.

For urgent safeguarding concerns or serious rule-breaking, contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead through the procedures detailed in our Safeguarding Policy.

For general support with taking part in sessions, technology issues, or educational concerns, our student support team is available through the NSEMM Hub and normal communication channels.

This Code of Conduct shows NSEMM’s commitment to providing safe, effective, and professionally managed educational services while maintaining high standards of behaviour and academic honesty. Following these expectations regularly ensures positive experiences for everyone and supports our charitable mission of advancing education through accessible, high-quality tutoring and mentoring services.