If You’re Concerned About Home Learning Conditions

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If anything about your home setup is making learning difficult or feels unsafe, we encourage you to speak to your child's host school, commissioning local authority or contact us directly. We can offer advice, support, and reasonable adjustments where needed.

You can:

• Speak with our Support Team at support@purpleruler.com

• Email our Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@purpleruler.com

 

Together, we can ensure your child’s learning environment is positive, healthy, and supportive.

 

Behaviour and Conduct

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At Purple Ruler, we believe that positive behaviour creates a respectful, safe, and inspiring learning environment for all learners. We encourage learners to take responsibility for their own actions and to treat others with kindness, empathy, and respect — both in online sessions and beyond.

 

Key Behaviour Expectations

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Learners are expected to:

• Attend lessons on time, ready to learn.

• Show respect towards facilitators, classmates, and themselves.

• Use online tools responsibly (microphones, cameras, chatboxes, whiteboards).

• Communicate kindly, professionally, and inclusively.

• Follow facilitator instructions promptly and respectfully.

• Celebrate differences and value diversity.

 

We promote the British Values of:

• Democracy

• The Rule of Law

• Individual Liberty

• Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

 

These values are built into everyday practice and online learning expectations at Purple Ruler.

 

Positive Behaviour Reinforcement

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Positive contributions to lessons are recognised and encouraged through:

• Verbal praise

• Positive comments in lesson reports

• Digital certificates, awards, or recognition

• Opportunities for leadership roles during lessons (e.g., discussion leader, group organiser)

 

We believe in celebrating success to motivate learners and build confidence.

 

How We Manage Behavioural Concerns

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Facilitators are trained to manage classroom behaviour sensitively and effectively, using restorative, supportive approaches wherever possible.

 

If concerns arise:

• Facilitators will intervene sensitively during the session.

• Behavioural issues are recorded in lesson feedback reports.

• Repeated or serious concerns are escalated to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and the Academic Leadership Team.

 

Serious Misbehaviour:

• Incidents such as bullying, discriminatory language, or threats are treated as safeguarding matters.

• Learners may be temporarily moved to individual lessons for support and reintegration planning.

• Our approach is to work with the learner and their family to support positive behaviour change — not to exclude or punish wherever improvement is possible.

 

You can read more details on how we manage misbehaviour in our Behaviour Management Policy.

 

Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers

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Parents and carers play a crucial role in supporting behaviour expectations.

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We ask that parents:

• Reinforce positive behaviour expectations at home.

• Support open communication between learners and facilitators.

• Notify Purple Ruler if their child is experiencing difficulties that might affect their behaviour, engagement, or wellbeing.

• Work collaboratively with us to implement behaviour support strategies if needed.

 

By working together, we can help every learner succeed.

 

Safeguarding — Keeping Your Child Safe

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At Purple Ruler, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, secure, and supportive environment where all learners can thrive.

 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility — including ours, yours, and your child’s.

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Our Safeguarding Commitment

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We take all safeguarding concerns seriously and act quickly to protect learners from harm, including:

• Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual)

• Neglect

• Bullying (including cyberbullying)

• Radicalisation and extremism

• Online safety risks

• Peer-on-peer abuse

• Emotional and mental health concerns

 

Our safeguarding approach is guided by the latest statutory guidance, including:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024

• Prevent Duty (Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015)

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

 

Purple Ruler’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL oversee all safeguarding matters.

 

How to Report a Concern

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If your child experiences or witnesses anything that makes them feel unsafe, worried, or uncomfortable, they can:

• Speak privately to their facilitator during or after a lesson.

• Use the private chat function during live sessions.

• Contact the Purple Ruler Safeguarding Team directly: 📧 safeguarding@purpleruler.com

• Use the Anonymous Safeguarding Concern Form.

 

We strongly encourage learners to speak up — no worry is too small. Please ensure to speak to your child about safeguarding and ways they can report a concern, they can also visit www.purpleruler.com/safeguarding for more details.

 

If you, as a parent or carer, have a safeguarding concern:

• Please contact the Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@purpleruler.com immediately.

• Contact your child's host school.

• There are also a list of external agencies you and your child can use on the Learner's Handbook.

 

All safeguarding concerns are treated with confidentiality and acted upon promptly.

 

Our Safeguarding Team

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Bella Ma 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL) - Candice Steytler 

 

Signs Parents Should Watch For

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Sometimes, children may not directly say when something is wrong.

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Parents should be alert to signs such as:

• Unexplained changes in mood or behaviour

• Withdrawal from friends or family

• Reluctance to attend lessons or use technology

• Sleep problems or frequent headaches

• Talking about feeling unsafe, scared, or sad

• Secretive use of devices or social media

• Sudden decline in academic engagement

 

If you notice any of these signs, or if you are worried for any reason, please get in touch with us, host school or external agencies.

 

You can read our full policies online:

• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

• Prevent Duty Policy

• Online Safety Policy

• Anti-Bullying Policy

 

Anti-Bullying: Our Commitment to a Safe Community

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At Purple Ruler, we have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying in any form, including cyberbullying, discrimination, and peer-on-peer abuse. We are committed to creating a respectful and supportive environment where every learner feels safe, valued, and able to achieve their best. Bullying will always be taken seriously and addressed swiftly, with the involvement of parents and carers where necessary.

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How We Respond to Bullying

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• All bullying concerns are treated as safeguarding matters.

• Facilitators are trained to identify signs of bullying during lessons.

• Learners are encouraged to report concerns immediately — either directly to their facilitator, safeguarding team, or via the anonymous reporting form.

• Every report is investigated and managed sensitively and promptly.

• Victims are supported through personalised plans if needed, and perpetrators are given support to understand and change their behaviour.

 

You can read our full approach in our Purple Ruler Anti-Bullying Policy, available on our website or upon request.

 

Guidance for Parents

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If your child tells you they have been bullied:

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• Talk calmly: Discuss the situation in a safe, supportive way.

• Document details: Keep a record of what your child shares, including names, dates, places, and events.

• Reassure your child: Remind them that telling you was the right thing to do.

• Encourage reporting: Remind your child to speak to their facilitator immediately about any future incidents.

• Contact us: Arrange a meeting with the DSL to discuss your concerns. You can also speak with the DSL at your child's host school.

• Provide information clearly: Give as much factual detail as possible when speaking to Purple Ruler staff.

 

When discussing bullying with Purple Ruler:

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• Stay calm: Remember facilitators may not have been aware before you raised the issue.

• Be specific: Share dates, times, and names to help us investigate thoroughly.

• Ask about next steps: Take note of any action plans or strategies agreed.

• Offer collaboration: Ask if there are ways you can support your child at home.

• Follow up: Stay in communication with us to monitor progress.

 

If you are not satisfied with our response:

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• Check our policies: Ensure actions are consistent with our published procedures.

• Escalate concerns: Speak directly to the DSL and, if necessary, escalate to the Director.

• Complaints process: Our complaints policy is available online or can be requested in hard copy.

 

If Your Child is Bullying Others

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If you are informed that your child has bullied another learner:

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• Address the behaviour: Talk openly with your child about why bullying is harmful and unacceptable.

• Discourage aggression: Ensure that behaviour modelling at home supports kindness and empathy.

• Promote positive interactions: Encourage respectful friendships and teamwork.

• Work with Purple Ruler: Collaborate with facilitators to support behaviour change.

• Monitor behaviour: Keep checking in with your child regularly about their conduct online and in lessons.

• Recognise improvements: Praise your child when they show kindness, cooperation, and growth.

 

If Your Child Experiences Electronic or Cyberbullying

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Cyberbullying can feel invisible, but it is very real.

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You can help protect your child by:

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• Guarding personal information: Teach your child not to share phone numbers, addresses, or email details widely.

• Supervising device use: Avoid unsupervised screen time, especially late at night.

• Monitoring online activity: Know what websites, apps, and games your child uses.

• Checking social media contacts: Help your child keep their friend lists safe and private.

• Documenting incidents: Save evidence of bullying (screenshots, times, dates) if threats or abuse occur.

• Reporting serious cases: Report significant incidents to Purple Ruler immediately — and if necessary, to the police.

 

Remember: you are never alone. Purple Ruler and external support agencies are here to help. External agencies are listed in the learner handbook.

 

Online Safety and Digital Wellbeing

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At Purple Ruler, helping learners stay safe online is as important as helping them succeed academically.

We know that online learning, socialising, and entertainment bring wonderful opportunities — but they also carry risks that need to be managed with care.

 

How We Promote Online Safety

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• All learners are expected to follow the Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) - you can find this in the Learner Handbook

• Facilitators model and reinforce safe online behaviours during lessons.

• Regular reminders are given about digital responsibility and safeguarding.

• Learners are encouraged to report any online concerns immediately to a facilitator or the Safeguarding Team.

• Online incidents are logged, monitored, and reviewed to identify risks and patterns.

 

You can view our full approach in our Online Safety Policy available on our website or upon request.

 

How Parents Can Support Online Safety at Home

 

• Supervise device use: Keep devices in family spaces where you can monitor activity easily.

• Discuss responsible online behaviour: Talk about kindness, respect, and protecting personal information.

• Set clear rules for screen time: Agree appropriate boundaries for device use during and outside of lessons.

• Stay engaged: Ask about your child’s favourite games, apps, and online friends.

 

Quick Guide: How to Child-Lock Personal Devices

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Most devices offer built-in parental control settings. Here’s how you can help protect your child:

 

Apple iPhone/iPad:

• Go to Settings ➔ Screen Time ➔ Turn On Screen Time ➔ Set Content & Privacy Restrictions.

• You can block inappropriate content, limit app downloads, set time limits, and prevent access to adult websites.

 

Android Phones/Tablets:

• Open Settings ➔ Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls ➔ Set up parental controls with Family Link.

• Restrict apps, filter content, and manage screen time remotely.

 

Windows PCs/Laptops:

• Create a Child Account under Settings ➔ Accounts ➔ Family & Other Users.

• Use Microsoft Family Safety to manage screen time, app usage, and website access.

 

MacBooks:

• System Preferences ➔ Screen Time ➔ Enable parental controls for accounts.

• Limit websites, app usage, and manage communications.

 

🔗 For detailed guides and updates, visit:

• Internet Matters (internetmatters.org)

• Childnet International (childnet.com)

• Thinkuknow (thinkuknow.co.uk)

 

Reporting Online Safety Concerns

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If your child experiences anything unsafe or upsetting online:

• Encourage them to tell you immediately.

• Save evidence (screenshots, links, messages) where possible.

• Contact Purple Ruler’s Safeguarding Team: 📧 safeguarding@purpleruler.com

• For serious online threats (e.g., grooming, exploitation, severe bullying), report to:

  • CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command): www.ceop.police.uk

  • Childline: 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk

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Special Educational Needs and Additional Support

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At Purple Ruler, we believe that every learner deserves the chance to thrive — whatever their needs, strengths, or circumstances. We are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are supported, respected, and encouraged to achieve their full potential.

 

Our Approach to SEND Support

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• Learners with SEND are warmly welcomed and supported throughout their learning journey.

• Facilitators are informed of any additional needs, so lessons can be adapted appropriately.

• Support strategies are designed collaboratively, involving families, facilitators, and the SEND Lead where needed.

• Lessons may be differentiated, scaffolded, or paced flexibly depending on the learner’s profile.

• Emotional, behavioural, and wellbeing needs are also considered as part of holistic support.

 

How Parents Can Help

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We strongly believe that effective SEND support is built on a partnership with families.

 

We ask parents and carers to:

• Share any SEND-related needs, diagnoses, or external support plans at enrolment.

• Update us promptly if new needs arise or if your child receives new assessments or support.

• Engage with facilitators and Purple Ruler staff to develop and review support strategies.

• Encourage your child to self-advocate where appropriate (e.g., letting us know if they are finding tasks too difficult or stressful).

 

Requesting Adjustments

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If you feel your child would benefit from specific adjustments, please:

• Speak to your child’s host school.

• Contact us directly via support@purpleruler.com.

 

We are always happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to improve learning outcomes, including:

• Modifying expectations or workloads

• Adapting communication styles

• Offering assistive technology where appropriate

• Providing additional emotional or wellbeing support

 

Inclusion Is Part of Our Culture

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At Purple Ruler:

• We celebrate neurodiversity and difference.

• We train staff regularly on SEND awareness and inclusive teaching.

• We strive to make every learner feel seen, supported, and respected.

You can view our full approach in the Purple Ruler SEND and Inclusivity Policy available on our website or upon request.

 

Communication with Purple Ruler

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At Purple Ruler, we believe that strong, open communication between families and staff is essential for learner success and wellbeing. We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers throughout your child’s learning journey.

 

How to Contact Us

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• General Support and Enquiries: 📧 support@purpleruler.com

• Safeguarding Concerns: 📧 safeguarding@purpleruler.com

• Academic Support: 📧 support@purpleruler.com (mark your email FAO Academic Team)

• Anonymous Reporting (for any concerns): Click here

• Raise a ticket for our operations team: Click here

 

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 1–2 working days.

 

Alternatively, if you would like to raise a complaint, please see our Complaints Policy via our website.

 

Important Documents for Parents

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We encourage parents and carers to familiarise themselves with the documents learners receive at enrolment:

• Learner Handbook and Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA)

• Outlines expectations for behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, online safety, and wellbeing.

• Sets out the online behaviour standards learners must follow during lessons.

 

Both are in this document: Purple Ruler Learner Handbook

 

Please ensure you review these documents and discuss them with your child.

By continuing with Purple Ruler lessons, learners and families indicate their agreement to follow the outlined expectations.

 

Key Policies You May Wish to Read

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Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy - How we protect learners from harm and manage safeguarding concerns.

Anti-Bullying Policy - How we prevent, identify, and respond to bullying, including cyberbullying.

Online Safety Policy - How we teach safe online behaviour and protect learners during online sessions.

Attendance and Registers Policy - Our approach to monitoring, recording, and reporting attendance.

Behaviour Policy - Expectations for learner conduct and how we manage behaviour supportively.

Prevent Duty Policy - How we safeguard learners from radicalisation, extremism, and terrorism risks.

SEND and Inclusivity Policy - How we support learners with special educational needs and promote inclusion.

Curriculum Policy - How we deliver a broad, balanced, and purposeful curriculum.

Complaints Policy - How you can raise a concern or complaint if needed.

 

How We Keep Parents Informed

 

Weekly Lesson Reports: Short updates each Friday covering attendance, behaviour, engagement, and lesson highlights. These wi

Termly Progress Reports: Detailed updates on academic progress and personal development.

Annual Reports: A full summary of your child’s learning journey across the academic year.

 

These reports will be sent to your child's host school or local authorities if they are the commissioning bodies by default unless otherwise specifically instructed to be sent to parents directly. Otherwise, it is the commissioner's decision how they share this information with you.

 

Parent Surveys and Feedback

Your feedback is important to us.

• We invite parents and carers to complete optional termly surveys to share thoughts on your child’s experience, our provision, and ways we can improve. This is either sent to you directly by us if you have given us consent to be contacted, or via your child's host school or other commissioning body.

• You are also welcome to provide feedback at any time by contacting support@purpleruler.com.

 

Listening to your experiences helps us grow and continue to provide the best possible learning environment for every learner.

 

External Support Resources for Families

 

At Purple Ruler, safeguarding and wellbeing are our top priorities. We know that families sometimes need extra advice or help outside of school services — and that’s okay. Here are trusted organisations that offer support, information, and guidance for children, young people, and parents:

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Safeguarding & Protection: 

1. NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) - Support for protecting children from abuse.0808 800 5000/nspcc.org.uk

2. CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) - Report online abuse, grooming, exploitation. ceop.police.uk

3. Childline - 24/7 support for young people. 0800 1111/childline.org.uk

 

Mental Health & Wellbeing:

1. YoungMinds - Mental health support for young people and families. youngminds.org.uk

2. Samaritans - Confidential emotional support. 116 123/samaritans.org

 

Bullying Support:

1. Anti-Bullying Alliance - Help with understanding and preventing bullying. anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

 

Online Safety: 

1. Internet Matters - Guides for safe device and internet use. internetmatters.org

2. Childnet International - Resources on online safety and respect. childnet.com

 

General Youth Support:

1. The Mix - Support for under-25s on mental health, money, relationships. 0808 808 4994 themix.org.uk

 

Thank You and Final Reminders

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Thank you for choosing Purple Ruler to support your child’s education.

We are honoured to work alongside families to help every learner feel safe, valued, and able to achieve their full potential.

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Together, we can build a strong foundation for academic success, personal growth, and lifelong wellbeing.

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Final Reminders for Parents and Carers

• Please familiarise yourself with the Purple Ruler Learner Handbook and the Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) provided at enrolment.

• If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, we are always here to help — contact us at 📧 support@purpleruler.com.

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you ever have a safeguarding concern, contact 📧 safeguarding@purpleruler.com immediately.

• Stay engaged in your child’s learning journey — together, we make the biggest difference.

 

We look forward to a positive and successful partnership with you and your family.

 

Welcome to Purple Ruler!