SHMA Student Behaviour, Respect & Safeguarding Agreement
SNOW HERONS MARTIAL ARTS (SHMA)
Student Behaviour, Respect & Safeguarding Agreement
Purpose of This Agreement
This agreement forms part of SHMA's wider safeguarding, welfare and behaviour procedures. Its purpose is to make
clear the standards of behaviour expected from students and parents/guardians and to help maintain a safe,
respectful, inclusive and supportive environment during martial arts classes, training sessions, grading events,
competitions, holiday camps and other SHMA-related activities.
This agreement supports expectations around:
• Respectful conduct
• Anti-bullying
• Appropriate language and behaviour
• Conduct connected with SHMA activities
• Online conduct
• Responsibility within mixed-age environments
Teenagers and senior students may train alongside younger children. Older students are expected to act as positive
role models and understand that younger students may copy language, behaviour, jokes, attitudes or actions they
observe.
1. Behaviour Expectations
Senior and teenage students are expected to demonstrate leadership, maturity and positive behaviour towards
younger students at all times.
• Treat all students, instructors, staff, volunteers and parents with respect.
• Behave responsibly during classes, camps, competitions, changing times, breaks and SHMA-related online
communication.
• Follow reasonable instructions from instructors and class assistants acting under the direction of the class instructor.
• Support a positive training environment where everyone feels safe, respected and included.
• Use self-control, discipline and respect in keeping with martial arts values.
• Accept responsibility for my behaviour and actions.
2. Expectations Around Younger Children
Younger children may be present during classes, holiday camps, workshops, competitions, group activities and shared
break areas. I understand that my behaviour can influence younger students.
• Use age-appropriate language.
• Avoid swearing, sexual language, violent jokes or inappropriate discussions around younger children.
• Avoid discussions involving drugs, alcohol, vaping, explicit content, self-harm, criminal activity or adult topics where
younger children may hear.
• Speak respectfully and avoid intimidating behaviour.
• Understand that younger children may copy older students' behaviour and language.
• Set a positive example through my conduct and attitude.
• Understand that banter, jokes, sarcasm or comments that may seem harmless to older students can upset, confuse
or negatively influence younger children.
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3. Anti-Bullying & Respect
Bullying, harassment, intimidation and deliberate exclusion are not acceptable. This includes verbal bullying, physical
intimidation, social exclusion, cyberbullying, humiliation, mocking, threats, persistent teasing and discriminatory
behaviour.
• Do not encourage, laugh at or support bullying.
• Do not deliberately exclude or target younger, less confident or vulnerable students.
• Do not use martial arts skills, physical strength, belt grade, seniority or experience to frighten, intimidate or dominate
another person.
• Report behaviour that makes me or another student feel unsafe or seriously uncomfortable.
4. Respectful Language & Communication
Students are expected to communicate in a way that is appropriate to a mixed-age martial arts environment.
• Speak politely and respectfully.
• Avoid aggressive, insulting, discriminatory, threatening or offensive language.
• Treat everyone fairly and respectfully and do not discriminate against, harass, bully or target another person
because of their identity, background, beliefs, disability or personal characteristics.
• Avoid racist language, sexist comments, homophobic or transphobic remarks, sexual comments or jokes, swearing
directed at others, threats, humiliation or hurtful comments disguised as jokes.
• Think carefully before speaking or posting online.
5. Conduct in Martial Arts Training
Martial arts training requires discipline, trust, control and attention to safety.
• Train safely and under instruction.
• Respect personal and appropriate physical boundaries.
• Never deliberately injure or endanger another student.
• Use techniques only as instructed and never recklessly, aggressively or unsafely.
• Stop immediately when instructed.
• Show respect during all activities and respect students of all belts, ages and ability levels.
6. Online, Mobile Phone, Photography & Social Media Conduct
Behaviour outside the club may be relevant where it is connected with SHMA or affects the safety or welfare of SHMA
students, staff or volunteers.
• Communicate respectfully in SHMA-related group chats and online spaces.
• Do not post bullying, abusive, threatening, humiliating, discriminatory or inappropriate content involving SHMA
members.
• Do not gossip, harass or deliberately provoke online arguments involving club members.
• Mobile phones, photography, video and recording must be used in accordance with SHMA's Mobile Phone and
Photographic Images policies.
• Students must not photograph, film or record another student, instructor, volunteer or other person during SHMA
activities unless expressly authorised by SHMA.
• Understand that online behaviour connected with SHMA may result in appropriate action where it affects the safety
or welfare of students, staff or volunteers.
7. Safeguarding & Welfare
Snow Herons Martial Arts is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
participating in its activities.
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• Speak to an instructor, SHMA safeguarding lead, parent/guardian or another trusted adult if I am worried about
something.
• Tell an appropriate adult if I see or experience bullying, threatening, discriminatory, inappropriate or unsafe
behaviour.
• Seek support if I feel uncomfortable, worried or unsafe.
• Report concerns about behaviour in person or online that may affect the safety or wellbeing of an SHMA student.
• Students are not expected to investigate safeguarding concerns themselves.
Safeguarding information: All safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously and handled appropriately. Information
will be treated sensitively and shared only with those who need to know. Where necessary to protect a child or young
person, information may be shared with appropriate safeguarding agencies or authorities in accordance with
safeguarding requirements, SHMA procedures and applicable data-protection law.
8. Consequences of Inappropriate Behaviour
Inappropriate behaviour will be considered according to its nature, seriousness and circumstances, including the age
and needs of the student and any safeguarding considerations. SHMA may move directly to suspension, exclusion or
safeguarding procedures where an incident is sufficiently serious.
• Possible action may include a verbal warning and parent notification, parent/guardian discussion, removal from an
activity or session, a behaviour agreement or support plan, suspension from classes or camps, permanent exclusion
where necessary, or referral to safeguarding procedures.
• Serious incidents involving safeguarding concerns, threats, violence, harassment, discrimination or unsafe
behaviour may be referred to appropriate safeguarding agencies or authorities where necessary.
9. Parent/Guardian Agreement
As a parent/guardian, I agree to support the expectations in this agreement and work cooperatively with SHMA.
• Encourage respectful behaviour and positive conduct.
• Reinforce safe and appropriate behaviour around younger children.
• Work cooperatively with instructors and safeguarding staff where concerns arise.
• Inform SHMA of relevant additional needs, disabilities, communication needs or other circumstances that may
reasonably affect the student's ability to understand or follow this agreement, so that appropriate support or
reasonable adjustments can be considered.
10. Agreement & Signatures
This agreement supports SHMA's safeguarding, behaviour and welfare procedures. It does not replace SHMA's
Safeguarding Policy, Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy or other applicable club policies and procedures.
Students aged 10 and over: Students aged 10 and over should read this agreement with a parent/guardian where
appropriate before signing. Students are encouraged to ask if there is anything they do not understand.
By signing below, we confirm that we have read and understood this agreement and agree to support and follow the
expectations that apply to us.
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Please contact SHMA if you require a PDF copy of the Student Behaviour, Respect & Safeguarding Agreement.