Behaviour policy
Introduction
Roles and Responsibilities
Promoting good behaviour
Discouraging misbehaviour in school and on school visits
Monitoring and Review
Pool C.E. Primary School
Behaviour Policy
Introduction
Rationale
The behaviour of pupils in a school is influenced by almost every aspect of the way in which it is run and how it relates to the community it serves. In order to maintain a well ordered school we have devised a policy, which relates to all aspects of school life. Whilst our main focus is on the promotion of positive discipline we have also agreed measures to be taken where breaches of discipline do occur.
Aims and objectives
1) To develop a caring community in which every child’s and adult’s contribution is valued, regardless of age, gender, colour, culture, disability, class or creed.
2) To ensure that children show respect for each other, the staff and the school environment
3) To create a safe, happy and co-operative working atmosphere, both within school and in the playground
4) To provide a common "code of conduct" which is clearly understood by all.
5) To provide opportunities to communicate with parents/guardians on a regular basis.
6) To support children who may find it difficult to follow the "code of conduct".
7) To support staff who may experience difficulties with particular children or groups of children.
8) To provide a system of rewards and sanctions.
Expected behaviour
In order to achieve our first three aims the following basic rules have been drawn up. These form our "code of conduct" and apply throughout the school. All staff and children should be aware of the following:
- We are helpful, polite and kind to everyone in school.
- We respect all children and adults.
- We listen to and follow instructions carefully.
- We take care of all items which belong to school, other people or ourselves.
- We try to work to the best of our ability.
- We care for our environment.
- We always walk in our classrooms and when moving about the school.
In addition, there are rules which apply to specific routines during the school day eg lunchtimes, playtimes etc. (See Appendix 1 & 2) These will be listed in the staff guidelines and need to be made known to new children and visitors.
Roles and responsibilities
The classteacher
- will ensure that his/her class behaves in a responsible manner during lesson time
- will have high expectations of the children in terms of behaviour
- will treat each child with respect and understanding fairly and will enforce the classroom code fairly and consistently
- will keep a record of incidents of serious and/or persistent misbehaviour
- will report serious or persistent misbehaviour to the Headteacher or Deputy Head and if a referral is made, will co-operate with external agencies
- will inform parents of any concerns relating to a pupil’s welfare or behaviour. This should also be reported to the Head or Deputy Head on the appropriate form (See Appendix 3).
The headteacher
- is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all the children in the school
- will support staff in the implementation of the policy and ensure that it is implemented consistently through the school
- will report to governors on the effectiveness of the policy, when requested
- will keep records of all reported serious incidents of misbehaviour
- may give fixed–term suspensions to individual children for serious acts of misbehaviour, or for repeated or very serious acts of anti-social behaviour, may permanently exclude a child. Governors will be notified of these actions, according to current guidelines.
The governors
- will agree the content of the policy and will, periodically, review its effectiveness
- will support the headteacher in implementing the policy
- may advise the headteacher about particular disciplinary issues
- will provide a discipline committee to consider exclusions
Parents
- are asked to support their children’s learning and to co-operate with the school as set out in the home-school agreement
- are kept informed about the school rules and are expected to support these
- should always contact school with any concerns regarding their child’s welfare
~ Promoting good behaviour ~
a) Our school ethos
The "code of conduct" is closely linked to the educational aims and ethos of the school. We aim to promote a high standard of behaviour throughout the school by praising and encouraging those children who follow the code.
b) Through PIPS (school council)
Through the school council pupils will be consulted about particular issues and will be able to voice their ideas and suggestions. They will be encouraged to use their initiative and to work out the consequences of particular actions.
c) Through the curriculum (see PHSE guidelines)
There are opportunities within PHSE, and in many other areas of the curriculum, to discuss issues relating to behaviour and to promote aspects of good behaviour such as co-operation, decision making, caring for others etc. Story and drama are particularly good areas to develop the notions of right and wrong and how to make choices.
d) Reward system ( See merit scheme guidelines)
Our main methods of reward are through merit cards, stickers and certificates, which celebrate particular achievements. Children are congratulated on receiving these awards in special weekly assemblies and can take them home so that their parents are aware of their achievements. Good work and out of school achievements are also shared at these times.
e) School uniform
The school has its own uniform which all children are encouraged to wear. The children look extremely smart and take on a group identity. This helps us to promote the notions of co-operation, caring and respect, as outlined above.
~ Discouraging misbehaviour in school and on school visits ~
There will be occasions where children do not meet the above standards and then a range of sanctions will apply. These will vary according to the nature of the offence.
1) Minor forms of misbehaviour (eg inattention in class, fiddling with equipment, running in the
classroom etc) These can often be stopped by the teacher attracting the child's attention with a glance or by giving a verbal reprimand. Following the latter an apology would be expected.
2) More persistent misbehaviour (eg inability to work with others, hurting another child, repeatedly ignoring instructions).
In such instances one of the following steps should be taken:-
(i)- Child moved away from other pupils to a different position in class.
(ii)- Child to be issued with a yellow card and removed from classroom and sent to an appropriate SLT class for 15 minutes with work/activity needing completion.
If such behaviour occurs at lunchtime pupils are also issued with a yellow card. They will be sent to stand away from other pupils for a ‘cooling off’ period of 15 minutes, on the ramp outside Y3/4 cloakroom or Y5/6 cloakroom. If an incident occurs at the very end of break or lunchtime, the child should be sent to an SLT class with the appropriate card for 15 minutes (as 2(ii).
If a child collects two yellow cards in a week they earn a Friday lunchtime detention, and should report to the Head or Deputy as instructed. It is the responsibility of the member of staff concerned to ensure that the child has reported in and attends detention.
A red card would be issued for more serious incidents, including (3), (4) and (5) below. A red card means that the child should be sent to the Head immediately (Or Deputy Head, in the Head’s absence). The child’s parents would then be informed and a meeting requested with all involved to resolve the matter.
3) Swearing / use of racist language
Parents will be notified by letter of any incidents of swearing / use of racist language. They will be asked to acknowledge receipt of the letter. If three such incidents occur parents will be invited into school to discuss the matter with the Headteacher.
4) Fighting or bullying
Any fighting will be classed as a serious offence. At lunchtime this would warrant a red card and immediate sending in. This would result in a Friday lunchtime detention.
Bullying will not be tolerated. If incidents are discovered we will act immediately to prevent any further occurrences. (Staff should refer to school guidelines on "Bullying")
5) Damage to property
If property is damaged then pupils, or their parents, will be expected to make good the damage eg removing graffiti or reimburse the school for the cost of repairs eg for broken windows, damage to toilets etc.
Informing parents
Parents will be informed if their child has been in frequent trouble for breaches of the school rules or if another child has been injured as a result of their actions. They will then be invited into school to discuss the situation with the classteacher and/or headteacher.
Behaviour programme
Following discussion with parents, a behaviour programme may be drawn up, setting out behaviour targets for the pupil to achieve.
Referral to outside agencies
If a school-based behaviour programme does not prove successful, advice will be sought from the Pupil Support Service or Behaviour and Attendance Service.
Exclusion from school
In extreme cases it may be necessary to exclude a pupil from school. It is likely that this would initially be for a short term fixed period. Ultimately, if all else has failed, a child may be permanently excluded from the school.
Lunchtime exclusions may be applied where a child constantly misbehaves during the lunchtime period.
Use of force
All members of staff are made aware of the regulations regarding the use of force by teachers, as set out in DfEE Circular 10/98 : The Use of Force to Control or Restrain Pupils. Teachers in our school do not hit, push or slap children. On rare occasions staff may need to restrain a child to prevent injury to a child / other adult, or if the child concerned is in danger of hurting him/herself. Any actions taken would be in line with government guidelines on the restraint of children.
Monitoring and Review
The effectiveness of the policy will be monitored by the headteacher on a regular basis, who will then report to the governing body, and if necessary make recommendations for further improvements.
The school has a system of keeping written records of misbehaviour (as outlined above) and for maintaining records of suspensions and exclusions.
The governing body will monitor the rate of any suspensions and exclusions and ensure that the school policy is administered fairly and consistently.
This policy will be reviewed annually but it may be reviewed earlier if the governing body or school so decides.
Policy revised January 2008 Next review January 2009