Rationale
“Everyone has the right to be treated fairly no matter who they are, where they are from, what language they speak, what they believe or where they live.”
Positive behaviour is an essential foundation for a happy, creative and effective learning and teaching environment in which all members of the school community can thrive and feel respected, safe and secure. We recognise that positive behaviour for learning has to be taught and that all staff have a responsibility for this. Developing behaviour for learning is an integral part of teaching and learning.
We believe that in order to develop positive behaviour and self-discipline, children need to be supported in making the right choices and taking personal responsibility. A child understanding that there are benefits for positive behaviour and consequences for poor behaviour is part of that responsibility. Working together as a community of Faith and learning we will support children to develop spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally to achieve excellence. As a whole school we will work hard to develop the three sets of relationships which contribute to a positive culture of learning behaviour:
• Relationship with self: We are using the Emotion Works programme to develop emotional literacy across the school. A child who feels secure, nurtured and confident is more likely to display positive behaviours. We will support all children to achieve this.
• Relationship with others: Positive relationships will be modelled and highlighted for children to learn about what is acceptable behaviour.
• Relationship with learning: Children will be encouraged and supported to engage fully in learning through a Growth Mindset approach, which will help them to set ambitious targets and develop resilience.
St Bernadette’s Primary achieved Bronze level Rights Respecting Schools award in 2019 and now journey towards Silver accreditation. As a school community, we continually strive to ensure the principles of the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child are embedded in our policies and practice. These articles set out expectations for all members of the school community: pupils, staff members, parents and partner agencies. Rights Respecting Relationships must be at the core of what we do as a community and this policy will lay the foundation for a sustainable structure.
School Vision and Values
Vision
Every child will be nurtured, supported and challenged on their learning journey in our pursuit of excellence and equity.
Our Values are – Love, Faith, Forgiveness, Self-Discipline, Integrity, Respect
Parent, Pupil and Teacher Voice
We understand the importance of listening to pupils, parents and teachers to ensure that issues are identified before they become problems and good practice can be reinforced. To provide all stakeholders with a voice we have:
• Pupil Voice groups where all children are included
• Parent Council: representatives of parents of pupils from a variety of year groups meet to discuss issues arising.
• Head Teacher Open Door: open door in which staff and stakeholders can discuss issues with the Head Teacher.
Objectives of the Rights Respecting Relationships policy are to ensure:
• the school is a safe and supportive environment.
• all members are respectful, kind and courteous.
• consistently high standards of positive behaviour are established in and out of the classroom.
• achievements are recognised, rewarded and celebrated.
• that where behaviour falls short of accepted standards, procedures are followed and children are supported fairly and consistently according to the individual needs of child.
• all children are provided with the opportunities to achieve success in a fulfilling learning environment that suits individuals’ needs.
• the school meets statutory requirements in relation to behaviour and exclusions.
Expected Pupil Behaviour (See Appendix 1 for Pupil School Rules)
It is expected that children will:
• Move sensibly, quietly and safely around the school.
• Treat each other with courtesy, respect and good manners.
• Participate in all lessons and create an environment to encourage all pupils to learn.
• Be ready to learn to the best of their ability.
• Care for equipment, belongings and our environment.
• Follow instructions and requests from all school staff at the first request.
Bullying
To help the school ensure that bullying does not take place all children are encouraged to:
• Not allow someone to be deliberately left out of a group.
• Not smile or laugh when someone is being bullied.
• Tell a member of staff what is happening.
• Encourage the bullied pupil to join in with their activities or groups.
• Tell the bullying pupil that they disapprove of his or her actions
• Any allegations of bullying will be investigated, recorded and resolved appropriately.
Statement of Headteacher
All pupils within St Bernadette’s are entitled to a safe, secure and nurturing environment for effective learning. Good behaviour underpins the success of a school and we encourage all pupils to demonstrate high standards of behaviour at all times. We recognise that some pupils experience difficulties and we will do all we can to support them. All incidents of unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with in a fair and appropriate way. It is important that St Bernadette’s recognises and rewards positive behaviour and achievement. A successful school incorporates the support of all parents and carers.
Pupil Expectations and Responsibilities
To ensure that St Bernadette’s is an environment in which all pupils feel safe and confident to learn and teachers feel able to teach, it is important that key expectations are shared by all teachers and staff.
Values of our school and the pupil rules are displayed around the school environment and in every classroom.
The expectations and values have been agreed by the school community and will be discussed with pupils on a regular basis during assemblies, classes and pupil Voice groups.
Rewards and Recognition
At St Bernadette’s we aim to encourage pupils to do their best and this is recognised through weekly H Factor Awards and Top Class Awards. Children can earn tokens at any time from any member of staff for displaying the school values
St Bernadette’s Rights Respecting Relationships Policy
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) Articles
The main UNCRC Articles that explicitly underpin the St Bernadette’s Rights Respecting Relationships Policy are listed below.
Article 2 – Non-discrimination. Be treated fairly no matter who you are, where you are from, what language you speak, what you believe or where you live.
Article 3 – Best interests of the child. Adults should always do what’s best for you.
Article 5 – Parental guidance. Be given support and advice from your parents and family.
Article 12 – Respect for the views of the child. Have your own opinion which is listened to and taken seriously.
Article 14 – Freedom of thought, belief and religion. Think and believe whatever you want to and practice any religion with guidance from your parents.
Articles 28 – Right to Education. Everyone has the right to a quality education.
Article 29 – Goals of Education. An education that develops your personality and abilities and encourages you to respect other people, cultures and the environment.
Appendix 1
Rights Respecting School Rules as suggested and agreed by the pupils of St Bernadette’s PS.
1. We treat everyone fairly in our school.
2. We listen and do what we are told by the adults who care for us.
3. We try our very best in school and work well with other children.
4. We have fun in the playground by respecting everyone.
5. We walk in corridors and hold doors for people coming behind us.
6. We eat healthy lunches and snacks and we try not to waste food.
7. We recycle our rubbish and keep our school tidy.
8. We look after school resources and make sure we put them away properly.
