Earlston Academy Student Code of Conduct

At Earlston Academy, we are dedicated to ensuring that every single learner benefits from a secure, highly respectful, and motivational setting in which to develop. This Code of Conduct is designed specifically to safeguard that high-quality experience—for both you as an individual and for the wider learning community.

Our collective presence here is driven by a common objective: to substantially advance our skills and create valuable, meaningful work. Achieving this objective requires that all members engage with integrity, demonstrate kindness toward others, and maintain a firm commitment to the necessary effort.

Core Expectations for Students

Respect and Professionalism

You are expected to treat every member of the Earlston Academy community—which includes all staff, fellow students, and mentors—with unwavering respect and professionalism.

• Utilize inclusive, thoughtful, and constructive language across all forms of communication.
• While healthy disagreements are natural, any form of bullying, harassment, or discriminatory behavior is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Prohibited Behavior and Misconduct

What Constitutes Inappropriate Conduct 

Earlston Academy is committed to maintaining a strictly professional and inclusive learning environment. The following behaviors are clear examples that violate our core standards for respectful and appropriate conduct, though the list is not exhaustive:

• Employing language that is disrespectful, offensive, or discriminatory in any communication channel.
• Engaging in harassment or bullying toward other students, coaches, or staff (this includes demeaning jokes or comments aimed at another individual).
• Making unsolicited remarks regarding an individual’s physical appearance, gender, race, religion, or background.
• Distributing explicit, violent, or Not Safe For Work (NSFW) content.
• Shouting, mocking, or publicly belittling others during voice chats, in forums, or during scheduled meetings.
• Consistently disrupting or intentionally derailing the flow of class instruction or group discussions.
• Disclosing private messages or sharing another person's personal information without their explicit authorization.
• Utilizing the community platform to solicit financial contributions, market external services, or disseminate malicious content.
• Any form of threatening behavior or acts of intimidation.
• Assuming the identity of any other student, coach, or staff member (impersonation).

Warning: Engaging in inappropriate conduct will lead to escalating disciplinary action, which may ultimately result in your permanent removal from the program.

Academic Integrity: Plagiarism Policy

Defining Plagiarism 

At Earlston Academy, acts of plagiarism compromise your development as a skilled professional and fundamentally damage the integrity of our educational program. Plagiarism encompasses any attempt to present work that you did not personally generate or fully comprehend as your own original contribution.

The following behaviors are examples that violate Earlston Academy's Plagiarism Policy:

• Reproducing and submitting code obtained from external sources like GitHub, Stack Overflow, AI generators (e.g., ChatGPT or Copilot), or tutorials without proper attribution or significant modification.
• Turning in solutions you cannot explain—even if written with AI assistance; the inability to articulate the logic behind your submission is a critical integrity failure.
• Submitting another student’s assignment or project as your own (even if only portions were "borrowed").
• Commissioning a third party (such as a friend or freelancer) to complete your project for you.
• Employing prebuilt templates or starter projects without providing citations or making substantial, meaningful alterations.
• Working alone on mandatory group assignments—or conversely, collaborating on work specifically designated as independent.
• Recycling your previous code from an earlier course or cohort without receiving prior permission and providing clear citation.
• Using pre-existing online solutions to projects, including those shared by former Earlston Academy students or other bootcamps.
• Exchanging answers or solution files through private messaging channels (like Discord, Slack, or DMs).

Guiding Principle: If you are reproducing, transmitting, or submitting any code that you did not personally construct and cannot thoroughly explain, you must halt the process and seek immediate guidance from your Academic Coach.

Addressing Violations of the Code

We value providing opportunities for growth and believe in learning moments; however, we are also strongly committed to ensuring the safety and successful environment of our entire community.

Should a student fail to comply with the stipulations of this Code of Conduct, the following disciplinary actions may be implemented:

• Issuance of a formal written reminder or coaching conversation.
• Implementation of temporary restrictions from participation in live sessions or community communication spaces.
• Development of a personalized support plan designed to help the student return to compliance.

Accountability & Consequences

This section defines the process and penalties for violations of the Earlston Academy Code of Conduct (CoC).

Definition and Reporting

A CoC Violation is any behavior by a student or employee that contravenes the established standards meant to ensure a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment at Earlston Academy. Violations can be reported by any student or employee using the designated mechanism.

Violation Typology and Severity

Violations are classified into categories and assigned an initial weight (Minor or Major) based on severity, frequency, and context. The Quality Team investigates complex cases for disciplinary review.

Category

Examples of Major Violations

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism; Excessive AI Overuse (undermining skills).

Misuse

Spamming (irrelevant/excessive messages).

Leaking Course Material (unauthorized sharing).

Communication & Respect

Disrespectful Behaviour (rude tone).

Discriminatory Language; Bullying; Disruptive Behaviour (can be Minor/Major).

Harassment & Safety

Harassment; Threats (of violence, harm, or retaliation).

Factors Determining Final Weight

The Quality Team assesses the final weight by considering four key factors: Intent (deliberate or accidental), Impact (harm or disruption caused), Frequency (if it is repeated), and the Response (acknowledgment or attempt to improve).

Consequences and Thresholds

• Minor Violations: Addressed primarily with warnings, education, or coaching, without suspension.
• Major Violations: May lead to investigation, temporary suspension, or expulsion based on the severity of the offense.

Cumulative Threshold: A tiered system escalates repeated violations:

• 5 Minor Violations within a 1-month period are converted into 1 Major Violation.
• 3 Major Violations trigger a full disciplinary review by relevant teams.
• Any single, extreme case can result in immediate disciplinary review, regardless of previous record.

Take Ownership of Your Learning Journey

This program is structured as an intensive, bootcamp-style experience—you should anticipate encountering significant challenges. We urge you to maintain self-belief and trust in your capacity to achieve the goals you set for yourself.

• Proactively seek assistance, demonstrate initiative, and embrace feedback. We do not expect you to possess all the answers (that is why our support structure exists), but we do require consistent effort, openness to new ideas, and persistence.
• Manage your time effectively. You are required to complete all assigned coursework independently and adhere to scheduled key milestones.

Note: While comprehensive help is always accessible, at Earlston Academy a substantial portion of your time will be dedicated to independent learning, troubleshooting, and applying concepts solo. This is crucial not merely for course completion, but is foundational to how we ensure your growth as a proficient developer or analyst.

Act with Integrity and Honesty

You must complete your assignments using only your own effort. While the use of AI or other third-party tools is permitted only when specifically authorized, misrepresenting the code or analysis of others as your own creation is strictly prohibited.

We require full transparency: if you find yourself struggling, falling behind schedule, or feeling overwhelmed, please notify us. Our role is to provide support, not to pass judgment on your challenges.

Addressing Violations of the Code

We value providing opportunities for growth and believe in learning moments; however, we are also strongly committed to ensuring the safety and successful environment of our entire community.

Should a student fail to comply with the stipulations of this Code of Conduct, the following disciplinary actions may be implemented:

• Issuance of a formal written reminder or coaching conversation.
• Implementation of temporary restrictions from participation in live sessions or community communication spaces.
• Development of a personalized support plan designed to help the student return to compliance.

Stay Engaged and Participate

You are encouraged to be an active participant within the learning community. This involvement includes attending scheduled 1:1 calls, live sessions, and any applicable group events.

• Maintain communication with your Learning Coach or instructors if any circumstances arise that prevent you from sustaining your engagement.
• Ensure that your contact information and communication preferences are kept current so that we can provide you with effective support and assistance.

Need Assistance or Have Concerns?

For primary support and answers to your questions, your Learning Coach should be your first point of contact.

If you need to formally report a concern regarding the Code of Conduct, you can utilize contact form for the reporting process.

We recognize that we are all building something significant here together. Let us accomplish this goal with diligence, genuine effort, and mutual respect. 

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