Skipper Clement School’s Mission Statement

Aims and Objectives

We wish to create the best conditions for the personal and academic development of our students in a safe working environment, within a society in constant change.

Above all else, we place the ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ which entered into force by the United Nations on September 2 1990. The School’s culture, rules, aims and objectives are formulated and practised according to the spirit and guidelines of the Convention.

More specifically, we wish to provide:

1. A high standard of teaching

2. Well-qualified dedicated teachers.

3. Consistent, and clearly defined rules and principles.

4. Good school-home co-operation. (See Parents’ Contract, School-Home policy)

5. Professional, and social respect, and tolerance.

6. Educational programmes for students that develop knowledge and understanding of important issues such as citizenship, democracy, freedom of expression, responsibility, respect and tolerance of others. (See also No-bullying policy, Student Contract)

7. Educational programmes for students that develop self-esteem, critical awareness and creativity.

Aims and Objectives in Daily Practice.

1. Central Direction

Teaching is based on curriculum as defined by Danish Free School and State School laws and expressed in Fælles Mål and Danish National Examinations. Within the International Department, curriculum is also defined by Cambridge International Examinations Syllabuses.

2. Participation in Educational Activities

In accordance with Articles 13, 28 and 29 of the Convention, it is required that students participate in all educational activities that contribute towards the implementation of the school’s curricula including special events outside the normal timetable.

With reference to the above, and Articles 30 and 31, students may be excused on religious grounds from

i) Attendance at Church services.

ii) Attendance on school days that fall on recognised religious holidays within the student’s religion

iii) Attendance on school trips involving overnight stays, when such attendance contravenes religious obligations.

3. Food

Special dietary needs resulting from religious or medical requirements will be respected. The planning of activities involving food must provide suitable alternatives in such cases.

4. Clothing

For both staff and students the conditions are as follows; the choice of clothing is a personal one, but in general clothing should be clean and inoffensive. It must not restrict participation in any educational activity, whether sedentary or physically active. Clothing must not cover the face, as staff and students must be identifiable at all times. No head covering is permitted inside the school buildings except when requested by parents and agreed by school management, on the grounds of religion or cultural tradition. In any dispute regarding clothing, a decision will be made in each case by the school management.

5. Bathing after Sport

All students are required to participate in sports and to wash afterwards, in order to develop good attitudes to fitness and hygiene.  In accordance with Article 30, parents may request that students who, for medical or religious reasons cannot shower naked in front of others, be allowed to shower separately. In such cases, two washing sessions will be provided at the end of sports lessons, the first for students who must remain covered while washing, and the second for students who can shower with others.

6. Swimming lessons

All students are required to participate in swimming lessons, in order to develop water safety and swimming skills. The school will inform parents of the arrangements for swimming lessons and then parents can decide whether students should participate. If the arrangements are not considered satisfactory from a religious or medical standpoint, the parents should request, in writing, of the school management that the student be excused. If this is granted, it is the parent’s responsibility to take care of the student at these times.

7.Prayers

The school has a responsibility to deliver the curriculum, and no student can be excused from lessons for prayers. If a student wishes to pray at break times, they are welcome to do so, if they accept the offered conditions as to time and place.

8.Student Contract

On admittance to the school, students entering fourth grade and above are expected to accept the rules of behaviour outlined in the student contract (attached).

9. No Bullying Policy

Every year students are expected to agree to and abide by the terms of the school’s No Bullying policy (Attached).

10. Home-School Co-operation

Parents are expected to agree to and abide by the terms of the school’s Parents’ Contract (attached), and to keep to the guidelines of the school’s Home-School Co-operation policy (attached).

11. Conclusion

In accordance with the ideals expressed in the United Nations’ ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’, the school will, at all times, endeavour to honour these ideals and develop in adults and children alike a spirit of ‘peace, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity’.

The school expects all students and their parents to honour the principles and policies of the school. The School Leadership reserves the right to exclude parents and students who fail to do so.

School Board 12/2/07