Code of Conduct

Slate Wine & Spirits Academy exists to give every candidate a welcoming, respectful, and productive place to learn. This Code of Conduct applies to every candidate in every format we deliver, in the classroom, at satellite venues, online, in exams, and in all communication with Academy staff and educators. By registering for a course or exam, you agree to it.

What We Expect

Respect. Treat educators, staff, Exams Officers, venue staff, and fellow candidates with courtesy, whether in person, by phone, or in writing.

Classroom conduct. Arrive on time and stay for the full session. Leave the room only at scheduled breaks or with the educator’s agreement. Keep phones and devices away during instruction. Side conversations, interruptions, and other behavior that disrupts the learning of others are not acceptable.

Responsible tasting. Tasting samples are poured for assessment, not consumption. Spittoons are provided and spitting is encouraged. Candidates may not bring or consume alcohol beyond what the educator pours. A candidate who arrives at a session, or returns from a break, visibly impaired may be refused participation in the remainder of the session and in the exam, without refund.

Exam conduct. Follow every instruction from the invigilator. Exams are silent, closed-book, and device-free. Disruptive behavior during an exam, cheating, plagiarism, and impersonation are malpractice and are handled under our Malpractice & Maladministration Policy.

Venue and property. Treat the venue, glassware, and equipment with care. Damage caused by a candidate may be charged to that candidate or to the organization that booked their seat.

Equality. Discriminatory, harassing, or offensive behavior of any kind, in any medium, is prohibited under our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Policy.

Zero Tolerance Toward Abuse of Staff

Academy staff and educators treat every candidate professionally and expect the same in return. Verbal or written abuse, threats, intimidation, discriminatory language, and persistent or unreasonable demands that cause stress to staff are misconduct. In response, the Academy may end a conversation, limit further communication to writing, decline further accommodation, remove the candidate from a course or exam, and refuse future enrollment. Serious or repeated incidents are reported to WSET, which may apply its own sanctions, including permanent exclusion from WSET qualifications.

Group and Corporate Bookings

An organization that books seats for its staff is responsible for their conduct while they are with us. The Academy will raise conduct concerns with the booking contact and may decline future group bookings where concerns are not addressed.

Consequences

Breaches are handled in proportion to their seriousness. In most cases this means a reminder from the educator. Where behavior continues or is serious, the Academy may remove a candidate from a session without refund, exclude them from an exam, refer the matter under the Malpractice & Maladministration Policy, report it to WSET, or refuse future enrollment. Decisions are made by the Academy Principal and communicated in writing. A candidate who disagrees with a decision may use our Complaints & Appeals Policy.

Reporting a Concern

Candidates, educators, and staff who witness conduct that breaches this Code should report it to Lee Pancake, Academy Principal, at lee@slatewineacademy.com. Reports are handled in confidence to the extent a fair review allows, and no one who reports a concern in good faith will be disadvantaged.

Records

Records of conduct incidents and their outcomes are retained for a minimum of three years.

Related Policies

Last reviewed: November 2026.