BISMA Learner Sanctions, Disciplinary & Exclusion Policy
Introduction
British International Sports Medicine Academy (BISMA) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and effective learning environment for all learners.
This policy sets out the approach BISMA takes where learner behaviour falls below expected standards or breaches BISMA policies, procedures, or centre rules. It explains how disciplinary matters are managed and the range of sanctions that may be applied, including suspension or permanent exclusion where necessary.
This policy forms part of the terms under which learners enrol with BISMA.
Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to:
• All BISMA learners
• All BISMA learning environments, including classrooms, gym facilities, assessments, and online activities
• All activities delivered by BISMA, including teaching, assessment, practical sessions, and on-site learning
This policy applies only to learners.
Staff disciplinary matters are managed under separate employment or contractor arrangements.
Purpose and Aims
This policy aims to:
• Maintain a safe, orderly, and respectful learning environment
• Provide a clear and fair framework for addressing learner misconduct
• Ensure disciplinary decisions are proportionate, consistent, and transparent
• Protect the safety and wellbeing of learners, staff, and visitors
• Enable BISMA to take decisive action where behaviour presents risk or disruption
Learner Conduct Expectations
Learners are expected to:
• Follow BISMA policies, procedures, and learner induction guidance
• Act respectfully towards staff, other learners, and visitors
• Comply with tutor instructions and centre rules
• Conduct themselves safely, particularly in practical and gym environments
• Avoid behaviour that may endanger themselves or others
Failure to meet these expectations may result in disciplinary action.
What Constitutes Learner Misconduct
Learner misconduct may include, but is not limited to:
• Disruptive, aggressive, threatening, or inappropriate behaviour
• Failure to follow reasonable tutor or centre instructions
• Unsafe behaviour or breaches of health and safety requirements
• Harassment, discrimination, bullying, or intimidation
• Damage to property or misuse of facilities
• Repeated minor breaches of conduct expectations
• Any behaviour that brings BISMA into disrepute or undermines its operations
Where misconduct relates to assessment integrity, this will be managed under the Malpractice & Maladministration Policy.
Key Principles
Disciplinary decisions are guided by the following principles:
• Fairness – Each case is considered on its individual facts
• Proportionality – Sanctions reflect the seriousness of the behaviour
• Consistency – Similar cases are treated consistently
• Safety First – Immediate action may be taken where risk is identified
• Transparency – Learners are informed of decisions and reasons
Each disciplinary case is considered on its own facts and does not set a precedent for future decisions.
Sanctions Available
Depending on the nature and seriousness of the misconduct, BISMA may apply one or more of the following sanctions:
• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Behavioural agreement or conditions of continued attendance
• Temporary restriction of access to facilities or activities
• Temporary suspension from learning activities
• Permanent exclusion from BISMA
Sanctions do not have to follow a fixed sequence.
Serious misconduct or safety-critical behaviour may result in immediate suspension or permanent exclusion.
Disciplinary Process
Investigation
Where appropriate, BISMA will investigate the alleged misconduct. This may include reviewing evidence, statements, incident reports, or other relevant information.
Disciplinary decisions are made on the balance of probabilities, based on the information available at the time.
Learner Representation
Where reasonably practicable, learners will be given an opportunity to provide their account before a final decision is made, unless immediate action is required for safety, safeguarding, or risk-management reasons.
Decision
Disciplinary and exclusion decisions are made by BISMA senior management or their delegated representative, based on the available evidence and the principles set out in this policy.
Notification
Learners will be informed in writing of:
• The decision reached
• Any sanction applied
• The reasons for the decision
Immediate Action and Safety-Critical Behaviour
BISMA reserves the right to impose immediate suspension or permanent exclusion where a learner’s behaviour:
• Presents a risk to health or safety
• Causes serious disruption to learning
• Involves safeguarding concerns
• Breaches centre rules in a serious, deliberate, or reckless manner
Such decisions are taken to protect learners, staff, and the learning environment and may be implemented without prior notice.
Where safeguarding concerns are identified, BISMA’s Safeguarding Policy takes precedence over this policy.
Appeal and Procedural Review of Disciplinary Decisions
Disciplinary and exclusion decisions are management decisions.
Learners have the right to submit an appeal on procedural grounds only.
An appeal may be submitted where the learner believes that:
• This policy was not followed correctly, or
• There was a material procedural error in how the decision was reached
Appeals must be submitted in writing within 10 working days of the learner being notified of the decision.
Appeals will be considered by BISMA management or a designated senior representative not previously involved in the decision, where practicable.
An appeal under this policy is limited strictly to a review of process and will not:
• Re-assess the facts or evidence
• Re-hear witnesses
• Substitute BISMA’s judgement with that of the learner
The outcome of the appeal will be final.
Post-Decision Contact
Following suspension or exclusion, BISMA may require that all further contact from the learner is made in writing only and through designated communication channels.
BISMA reserves the right to limit or cease communication where continued contact is unreasonable, abusive, or repetitive.
Complaints
Concerns about service quality or administrative matters unrelated to disciplinary sanctions may be raised under the BISMA Learner Complaints Policy.
Exclusion from BISMA does not automatically entitle a learner to a refund. Any refund considerations are governed by BISMA’s Learner Terms & Conditions.
Awarding bodies do not adjudicate or overturn centre disciplinary or exclusion decisions. However, awarding bodies may review whether a centre has followed its approved policies and procedures, particularly where assessment integrity or regulatory compliance is concerned.
Records and Confidentiality
• All disciplinary actions and decisions are recorded securely
• Information is shared only on a strict need-to-know basis
• Records are retained in line with data-protection legislation and BISMA retention schedules
Monitoring and Review
• Disciplinary actions are monitored to ensure consistency and fairness
• This policy is reviewed annually or sooner where required by regulatory, legal, or organisational change
