PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR POLICY

Rationale

The establishment of a sound learning environment at school and classroom level is key to effective learning and teaching. Effective learning and teaching is dependent on positive relationships established at school and classroom level through inter-actions between staff and pupil and between pupils themselves. The development of a positive ethos within schools is the foundation for better learning as is highlighted in the Discipline Task group report – ‘Better Behaviour- Better Learning’.

Aims:

To create an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust and corporate responsibility

To promote a positive school ethos through positive behaviour strategies and celebrations of success

To raise standards of attainment, behaviour and attendance for all pupils

To involve parents, pupils and staff in setting rules/standards of behaviour within the school

To get pupils to manage their own behaviour effectively while respecting the rights of others

To inform parents and pupils of sanctions that will be taken for negative behaviour

To develop social and Citizenship skills through a variety of school contexts

General :

The above aims are attributed to one of our school aims which is ‘ To create an atmosphere of trust and tolerance to help develop self-confidence, self esteem and self-discipline.’

We have a number of policies within the school that contribute to achieving the above- these are our Race Equality Policy, our Personal and Social Development Policy, our Anti-Bullying Policy and our Health Policy.

Our basic school rules are set by the pupils and staff and are common sense ones which allow us to work in harmony with one another and ensure safety and wellbeing for all within the school community.

Managing positive behaviour

Positive behaviour is achieved in two ways:

1.      Prevention – Preventative strategies which encourage each pupil to develop a sense of personality and self discipline.

2.      Management – When negative behaviour occurs we need to be able to respond positively and effectively.

We try to do both by employing positive behaviour strategies through a number of initiatives and school policies and imposing understood sanctions when negative behaviour arises.

Responsibilities:

Staff: The school staff, both teaching and non-teaching, share a collegiate responsibility for consistently implementing school policy on positive behaviour. The Head Teacher has overall responsibility for ensuring positive behaviour.

Parents: Parents have a responsibility for ensuring that they support their child in meeting school expectations in respect of positive behaviour.

Pupils: Pupils’ responsibility is to be responsible for their own positive behaviour and meet the expectations set out by the school.

Advice for Staff

Children have to learn positive behaviour and as in all aspects of life they sometimes have to learn from their mistakes. As in all aspects of managing behaviour CONSISTENCY is the key to success

·        .Be consistent, fair and persistent.

·         Keep any promise you make to the pupils and remain open and honest with them.

·        Before taking any action communicate, clearly and effectively your intentions to the pupil.

·        Act rather than react.

·        Impose appropriate, fair and effective sanctions that are relevant to the misdemeanour.

·        Be confident and let your voice and manner make it clear to the pupil you expect them to do as you ask

·        Seek advice and support if a situation escalates

·        Reprimands should focus on the behaviour not on the pupil’s personal qualities

·        Pupils should be reprimanded privately whenever this is possible

School expectations:

·        All members of the school community are expected to respect each other

·        Pupils are expected to take care and value school property and equipment

·        Pupils are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner at all times while      under the jurisdiction of the school

·        Pupils are not allowed to bring any potentially dangerous objects to school that could harm themselves or others, or electronic objects such as mobile phones, game boys, personal C.D.s as they can cause distractions in classrooms or can get damaged or lost

·        Pupils are expected to bring in an explanatory note from his/her parents /guardian after every absence

·        Pupils are not allowed to leave the school grounds during the normal school hours without first having obtained permission from the school

Positive Behaviour strategies:

·        Awarding of  merit awards, class points, School House points, certificates and stickers for positive behaviour and achievement in areas across the curriculum and out with school

·        Use of vehicle of ‘Circle Time’ to discuss aspects of personal and social development including positive and negative behaviour

·        Nomination of ‘Star’ pupils at whole school ‘Star assembly’

·        Achievements recorded in ‘Achievement Folder’ displayed in school foyer

·        Discussing whole school behaviour issues at Pupil Council meetings

·        Appointment of school monitors from primary 7 class who have some responsibility to support school rules and deal with minor altercations within the school

·        Whole school assemblies on moral and social issues

·        Discussion  and implementation of aspects of Citizenship within the classes

·         Allocation of ‘Golden Time’ as a reward for positive behaviour and achievement

·         Use of ‘Buddying’ system within the school

·        Staff using praise as a sincere and prompt response to positive behaviour or achievement

·        Setting of personal targets for improving work and/or behaviour

Sanctions used for negative behaviour:

1.      Verbal rebuke and reinforcement of correct course of action by member of teaching/auxiliary Staff

2.      Change in seating arrangements within the classroom

3.      Detention during break-times

4.      Withdrawal of privileges/losing of awards/points/Golden Time

5.      Writing letter of apology

6.      Pupil discussion with Head Teacher

7.      Completing behaviour modification form with Head Teacher/Support Staff

8.      Record of incident in incident log folder/appropriate incident forms

9.      Notice to parents of unacceptable behaviour

10.  Interview requested with parents and pupil

11.  Individual Targeted Behaviour programme and/or home –school diary set up

12.  Advice is sought from outside agencies e.g. Educational Psychologist, Child Psychiatrist, School Doctor 

13.  Possible exclusion

Procedures for dealing with major breaches of discipline:

·        Temporary informal exclusion in agreement with parents

·        Two/ three day recorded temporary exclusion in agreement with parents

·        Formal exclusion procedures are implemented in consultation with Education Office

·        A case conference is called involving parent and support agencies

·        Recorded Permanent exclusion

·        Parental right of appeal to Authority against decision to exclude

Incident log folder:

This is used to record:

·        Any incident involving a child or anyone employed at the school, which results in personal injury

·        Theft or damage to property

·        Any complaints/ concerns about a child’s behaviour  from own/other  parents

·        Any contact about pupil from outside agencies

·        Aspects of bullying or racism

The log is dated, indicates people involved, relevant information and action taken. More serious aspects of a racial nature are recorded in the appropriate record sheet and forwarded to the Performance Management Unit.

Use of Physical Restraint

If a pupil becomes physically aggressive towards another pupil or member of Staff, and will not refrain from actions by a verbal rebuke, or if the pupil is likely to cause physical injury to others or him/her self, staff may use acceptable level of restraint to part the bodies involved or prevent the pupil from self- injury. No further attempts should be used to physically restrain the errant pupil unless staff have been specifically trained for that purpose. The Head Teacher should be informed of incident immediately and parents/guardian or outside agencies should be contacted for further support. Any injury to pupils or staff should be recorded and dealt with according to Highland Council Guidelines.

Monitor and review of policy:

This policy will be presented to School Board for consideration and will be monitored/reviewed as part of the ongoing audit of practice within the school. Parents will receive a copy of the policy and contents are discussed with the pupils. A copy of the school rules are displayed on the school noticeboards.