Appendix 5 School Profile

WHOLE SCHOOL POLICIES

2. A student cannot pass another person’s work off as their own, even if the work has been gifted to the student. 3. In assessment work, such as the Extended Essay, students are expected to work independently with the support of their supervisor. Even though a student may be part of a group where they collaborate, the final document must be their own.

Collusion

1. Collusion is supporting malpractice by another candidate; for example, allowing one’s work to be copied or submitted for assessment by another candidate. 2. Students need to be reminded that working together is collaboration, but they must maintain their own work and know the difference between collusion and collaboration. It is important that each subject teacher stresses the difference to ensure that students are clear.

Copying

Copying from another student or source, for example, commercial essay/assignments services (including web-based services), is not permitted. Knowingly allowing work to be copied by another student is collusion. This includes, but is not limited to, essays, assignments, tests, lab reports and computer programmes.

Falsifying

Falsifying is making up data or information or incorrectly entering information, such as CAS records. Especially where CAS is concerned, honesty is to be fostered, as is the importance of involvement and giving.

Duplication

Duplication is submitting the same or very similar assignments for more than one course. A student cannot present the same piece of work for different assessment components. They cannot submit a piece of coursework in a subject and then use the same material for their Extended Essay. Careful monitoring by teachers is essential.

Authenticity

In order for authenticity to be guaranteed, teachers will test and check whether the work presented by a student is genuinely their own. Any other behaviour that gains an unfair advantage or affects the results of any candidate is malpractice. For all cases of malpractice, the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer must conduct a thorough investigation and keep detailed notation.

Action taken where a breach of these guidelines appears to have occurred;

Internally Assessed Assignments/Projects 1. Before handing assignments back to the class the suspected breach needs to be investigated fully by the IBDP Coordinator or

CIE Examination Officer who will seek pertinent details from the subject teacher in the first instance.

2. In cases where the student(s) concerned admits a breach, the matter should be referred to the Principal who will decide whether the work is given as No Grade, zero or a reduced mark. This will be based on the level of malpractice, collusion or plagiarism undertaken.

This decision will be communicated to the student(s) via the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer.

In cases where there is no admission of malpractice, the following steps should be taken by the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer to determine the assignment’s authenticity including: • Rough notes of the student concerned should be submitted for review. • Bibliography should be reviewed. • Check all sources the student has access to, on the topic. • Discuss the assignment with a senior subject colleague in case they are unaware of the work’s likely origins. • Students will be required to hand in their folio including all work conducted. If any of the above steps uncover a breach has occurred, this information and the student should be referred to the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer for a decision to be made. If any of the steps above do not uncover a breach but there is reasonable certainty that a breach has occurred, this information and the student should again be referred to the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer for a decision to be made.

For all cases of plagiarism by a candidate, the following will be required: 1. A statement from the teacher for the subject concerned (or supervisor in the case of an Extended Essay). 2. A statement from the candidate that directly addresses the allegation that there has been a breach of this Academic Honesty Policy. 3. A summary of an interview with the candidate about the allegation of a breach of this Academic Honesty Policy. 4. A statement from the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer.

In an Examination

The following is a list of activities that could be construed as malpractice during an examination session: • Taking unauthorised material, such as a mobile phone or notes, into an examination. • Misconduct during an examination, such as talking to another student or disturbing them, including passing information to another student during the examination. • Copying another student’s work during an examination. • Impersonating another candidate in an examination or assessment. • Failing to comply with the instructions of an examination invigilator. • Using an unauthorised calculator in an examination.

Prevention

WHOLE SCHOOL POLICIES

2. Students, staff and parents will receive instructions in writing on correct examination procedures and are notified of any breach of these conditions.

Action taken with respect to Examinations or Assessments under examination conditions

1. Where any action occurs during an examination or an assessment being conducted under “examination conditions” that may be a breach of such conditions, the matter should be dealt with by the supervisor in a way which does not unfairly prejudge the student’s actions or any penalties which may subsequently be applied. It should also adversely not affect the performance of any other students. 2. As a general guide, any student who is alleged to have breached such conditions should be allowed to complete the examination or assessment.

3. Any material that should not have been taken into the examination or assessment may be removed from the student concerned. 4. The matter should be fully reported to the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer at the earliest opportunity. The student/s concerned may be required to remain at the end of the examination or assessment to discuss the alleged breach.

Penalties

1. The IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer would make the decision for an internal examination but in the event of this occurring in an external examination, the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer would defer to IBO or CIE. 2. If it is proven that a breach of the above guidelines has occurred, the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer will decide whether the student(s) concerned earns No Grade, zero or a reduced mark. This will be based on the level of collusion or plagiarism undertaken. 3. This decision will be communicated to the student, subject teacher, the IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer and the parents concerned.

Appeals

1. In all cases, the student(s) concerned may appeal the decision made in writing to the Principal within five days. 2. The Principal shall investigate the matter and shall decide the outcome. The Principal’s decision shall be final.

Improper Conduct by a Coordinator or Teacher

Breaches of regulations are not confined to candidates: Improper conduct by the IBDP Coordinator, CIE Examination Officer or teacher may be brought to the attention of the relevant authority. The following are examples of unacceptable actions that will be investigated by the IBO. 1. The unauthorized rescheduling of an examination. 2. Failing to keep the examination papers secure prior to an examination. 3. Opening examination paper packets prior to an examination. 4. Providing a candidate with undue assistance in the production of any work that contributes to assessment. 5. Leaving candidates unsupervised during an examination.

6. Allowing additional time in examinations without authorisation from the IBO. 7. gReleasing an examination paper, or otherwise disclosing information about the content of a paper, within 24 hours after the examination. Any student who is unclear how they should interpret this Academic Honesty Policy should ask their teachers for help.

Quality Control

• All students receive, in writing, a copy of this Academic Honesty Policy through their Course Outline (CIE) or Curriculum Guide (IBDP).

These are also placed on ManageBac. • All staff will remind all students involved of these guidelines at the commencement of any assessment to ensure they fully understand the process. • A copy of this document is available for all staff on Microsoft Teams. • Staff are vigilant about citing work in progress and ask all students to keep their working documents. • At the start of each year of the IBDP programme, the IBDP Coordinator will run a session on Academic Honesty for all students (Year 12 and 13), IBDP retreat. This policy will be explained and the implications of signing the Academic Honesty Declaration explained. • Students sign an Academic Honesty Declaration stating that all work they submit for assessment, regardless of their registration category, will be authentic and their own. This covers all class assignments, homework assignments and work undertaken for internal assessment but it does not negate the need to sign the candidate declaration on coversheets submitted with individual pieces of work for assessment or moderation.

• Staff are made aware, in writing, of the importance of academic honesty for students and staff. During examinations, a team work together to ensure that breaches of standards do not occur. • The IBDP Coordinator or CIE Examination Officer constantly oversee their respective examinations. • Checks are made by invigilators to ensure that students only bring into the examination room their ID and permitted examination equipment in a clear plastic bag. • Checks are made randomly by representatives from IBO and CIE during examination sessions.