Policy for removing a student from the course.

AHA’s courses are about civilisation and civilised behaviour.  When we travel, we are guests in another’s country with differing laws and standards which demand our respect.  Our standards, those of the country we are visiting and the freedom of all to enjoy an AHA course are represented in the Code of Conduct which is issued at the time of registration.

Should we need to remove a student from the course, this policy explains the sort of behaviour that might result in being sent home. It also lays out the procedure that will be followed when making a decision in the pursuit of fairness and co-operation between AHA, the student concerned and their parents. Lastly, this policy addresses the practical issues of returning a student home.

The circumstances which may result in a student being sent home are:

Theft, persistent and disruptive lying, violence, use of weapons, bullying (verbal or physical), sexual misconduct including the use of dating apps, substance abuse, including alcohol or illegal drugs (incidence of drugs use might be referred to the police).  Please refer to the Code of Conduct for more detail.  The Code of Conduct also spells out that the ‘test’ for expulsion is if the student is a danger to themselves, others on the course or the course itself.

The process:

The Terms and Conditions of the course allow the Director of AHA the discretion to remove a student.  The Code of Conduct, issued to students at the time of registration and reissued shortly before the beginning of the course, details the standards expected on AHA Courses.

  1. In the event of a student not upholding AHA’s standards, the Lead Tutor will take notes, alert the office in the UK and speak to the Director or members of the Senior Management Team.
  2. The Lead Tutor will speak to the student concerned to become better informed and explain AHA’s position.
  3. If the difficulty persists, the Senior Management Team will inform the student that AHA will write to or telephone their parents/guardian or fee payer to explain the circumstances (*) and to arrange for a conference call. During this conversation a final warning will be issued explaining clearly the terms by which further transgression would lead to expulsion.  In this conversation, the Senior Management Team will encourage the parents to inform themselves about potential flights home for their son or daughter.
  4. The Senior Management Team write confirming the conversation and ask for acknowledgement from the parent or student.
  5. If no improvement is made in the situation, or there is further defined transgression, the Director may remove the student from the course, informing the parents by email.
Consequences:

Such action will never be taken lightly and the Director will always consult with his Senior Management Team and the Lead Tutor on the ground before deciding to expel a student.  Once the decision has been taken, the Director of AHA may write a formal letter to the parent/guardian/ fee payer explaining the reasons for the decision and the process taken.

Parents or the fee payer will be expected to arrange and pay for the flight home or onward travel.  AHA’s office will offer support in this regard.  AHA will expect to remove services (accommodation, supervision) from the student within 48 hours from the time of sending a formal email of removal to the student and their parents.

 

 

(*) In the event that medical issues of a student over 18 years of age will need to be discussed, AHA will ask the student that these can be discussed openly with the parents.