RATIONALE
We need to create a positive and safe environment in school so that teachers can teach and pupils can learn effectively as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Article 3
The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all things that affect children.
Article 29
Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures and the environment.
AIMS/OUTCOME
We will:
- Provide a well organised and secure environment
- Be approachable, fair and considerate towards pupils and their issues
- Apply a consistent behaviour management programme – ACORN
- Praise and reward effort and achievement
- Realise our vision: Dream, Achieve, Respect, Succeed for all our pupils
- Find opportunities for pupils to succeed and to take responsibility
- Refer to our school vision and values at all times.
These are:
-
-
- Achievement
- Co-operation
- Outstanding behaviour
- Respect
- New beginnings
-
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
A consistent approach towards standards of behaviour will be adopted throughout the school and class records will be used to record instances of inappropriate behaviour where ACORN has not been followed in class and around the school. A range of behaviour management strategies will be used in school and classes namely:A zero tolerance approach for inappropriate behaviour which does not respect the rights of anyone in the school community
We encourage pupils to:
- wear school uniform
- line up – on time and in an orderly manner
- walk at the correct side of the corridor and stairs
- sit properly in their seats
- present work well
- be polite at all times
- complete work within time allocated
- take the correct equipment to school
- respect themselves and each other whatever race, religion, ability or background
- use toilet facilities in the proper manner
- have good manners in the dining hall
- collaborate with others
- respect for school property
We will not accept:
- bullying
- rude speech or behaviour
- answering back
- name calling
- destruction of resources
- shouting out in class
- pushing, kicking, fighting
ACORN Follow up
If behaviours occur which may affect the Health & Wellbeing of others, they will be followed up in accordance with ACORN
- Playground incidents will be dealt with and information passed on to the class teacher who will record incidents on our ACORN record sheet.
- The record sheet will be renewed each week – and every day is a new beginning
- Informal verbal reminder is given
- Name on board for two occasions
- ACORN record
- 3 minute reflection time in class
- 5 minute reflection in class
- 10 minute reflection with DHT – in class or office
- HT involvement
- Pre exclusion letter may be sent home
- Exclusion may follow
At times, it may be necessary to go straight to the ACORN record if behaviour has escalated or if the incident is deemed to be serious enough to warrant an ACORN record. Each term ACORN sheets are collated and support is offered to pupils where appropriate. This may include consultation with the Inclusion and Support Service, the Educational Psychology Service, the Social Work department or the School Nurse. Support may be from within our school too e.g. Support For Learning Teacher input or pupil support assistant time. We may work on social stories or have a circle of friends. It may be appropriate to call a Child’s Plan at this stage. This is a meeting where we invite other agencies to attend in order to support the child further.
In matters of serious indiscipline or when the above measures have been tried and failed, a decision to exclude a pupil will be made. Moray Council Policies on Exclusion will be followed.
PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
At Bishopmill, we recognise and reward positive behaviour, achievements and attitudes. This takes many forms
- Each year “House Captains” and “Vice House Captains” are appointed in P7. House/ Vice Captains are given responsibility for taking things forward in school and leading monthly ACORN assemblies. Inter House trophies are competed for linked to sports day activities.
- Quizzes for pupils are devised by the Vice Captains throughout the school.
- Playground buddies are chosen to support P1 pupils in the playground as part of their transition to school and continuing throughout class and in P1.
- Raffle tickets are given out to pupils who demonstrate ACORN during the school day and these are drawn at the monthly ACORN achievement assembly.
- Pupils have an ACORN card. They may earn a sticker or stamp for each day of the week. Once 35 stickers or stamps have been collected, pupils will receive a coloured ACORN at a whole school assembly which matches their school house and can be put on display on the ACORN tree. At ACORN assemblies the whole school may be asked to focus on an aspect of ACORN for receiving stickers.
- At the end of the academic year, each pupil will receive an ACORN certificate which indicates how they have behaved on a termly basis. Any pupil who has no ACORN records all year receives a gold certificate.
- Achievements are celebrated at monthly ACORN assemblies both for class achievement, individual achievement and out of school achievement. Photographs are proudly displayed in the corridor outside the Support for Learning room.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES
Class teachers are responsible for discipline in the classroom and should follow school procedures and guidance.
Support staff should support the teacher and SMT in ensuring high standards of behaviour. When necessary they should be prepared to intervene, complete paperwork and report incidents to the class teacher or SMT.
The ultimate sanction is exclusion and this will only be used as a last resort or for extremely serious misdemeanours. In such cases the authority policy and guidance will be followed.
RESOURCES INCLUDE:
Health and Wellbeing resources
RME Resources
Playground Buddies
Circle time resources
Playground supervisors and support staff
ACORN records and leaflets
Playground resources
Additional Support Needs library box of stories to promote tolerance and understanding of behaviour / medical conditions
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
None
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
The HT will monitor records kept of logged incidents annually, meetings with parents etc. to ensure that policy and procedures are followed and pupils’ needs are being met and that outcomes for pupils are positive.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Staff development will be undertaken as appropriate and on request.
CONSULTATIONS
SMT
Pupil Council
Focus group – teaching staff
