Rights and Responsibilities
At Netherton Primary, we believe our pupils have the following rights:
- Everyone has the right to be safe and free from bullying behaviour and
harassment
- Everyone has the right for their property to be safe
- Everyone has the right to learn in a pleasant and healthy environment
- Everyone has the right to be treated with respect and understanding
- Everyone has a right to their own identity; and
- Everyone has the right to report incidences of bullying behaviour through
appropriate channels
We also expect pupils to undertake the following responsibilities:
- Respect all people, personal property, and the rights of others
- Observe safety rules at all times
- Report incidences of bullying behaviour, harassment, theft
- Respect others’ rights to the same happiness and enjoyment as you expect for
yourself
- Avoid unhealthy and dangerous practices that affect you and others in the
community; and
- Treat everyone with respect and understanding
At Netherton Primary school, pupils follow a set of Golden Rules. Our Golden Rules relate to the behaviour we expect from all the children. They are displayed in each class and throughout the school. These rules state the positive actions that we strive to see from all Netherton’s Pupils.
Our Golden Rules
At Netherton Primary School pupils work hard each day to earn Golden Time. Pupils follow the Golden Rules to keep themselves safe and happy in school. Each Friday, children enjoy Golden Time and everyone works hard to make sure they keep their Golden Time. From time to time, children can make the wrong choices and may lose some Golden Time. Parental support is vital in ensuring our children learn from this experience and school staff will always support pupils in these situations sensitively in line with our positive relationships policy.
If a Golden Rule is broken, a verbal warning will be given to the child explaining why their actions are not acceptable. If the Golden Rule is broken again, the child will be given a warning card as a further warning. If the behaviour improves significantly for the remainder of the day the child will keep their golden time.
Do be gentle. |
Do not hurt anybody. |
Do be kind and helpful. |
Do not hurt people’s feelings. |
| Do work hard. | Do not waste your time or other people’s time. |
| Do look after property.
|
Do not waste or damage things. |
| Do listen to people. | Do not interrupt. |
| Do be honest. | Do not cover up the truth. |
If the behaviour continues and the teacher has to speak to the pupil for the 3rd time, the child will lose 5 minutes Golden Time and the teacher will record this.
In some instances, behaviour which is deemed inappropriate and serious will result in pupils being automatically referred to the Head Teacher. Such behaviours have been collaboratively chosen by both the children and the staff.
The following behaviours are deemed as unacceptable:
Serious Inappropriate Behaviour
We don’t waste or damage things.
- Deliberate physical abuse
- Vandalism of school property
- Misconduct relating to the school’s ICT agreement
- Stealing
- Serious defiance e.g. refusal to leave the room or to follow direct instructions
- Verbal abuse towards others linked to any of the following: Racism, Homophobia, Disability, Swearing
- Inappropriate hand gestures
- Religion
- Sexism
- Sectarianism
- Prejudice against cultures
Please note – clear evidence in the form of an adult witness or a confession (Restorative Practice) would be required for staff to refer to the Head Teacher. There are clear sanctions for breaking “The Golden Rules”. The children may be spoken to by their teacher or receive a “Warning Card”. The latter indicates that they are close to losing “Golden Time”. “Golden Time” is lost in five-minute increments up to a limit of thirty minutes. Any child losing more than this are referred to the Head Teacher. Serious offences are always reported to the Head Teacher. Notes are kept on significant issues. This allows us to recall key facts and monitor behaviour over a longer period. Parents are kept informed if written punishments are given (parents are asked to sign written punishments) and the Head Teacher may ask parents to work in partnership with the school to address particular needs.
School Discipline Policy
It is the policy of this school that our children will learn in a secure friendly and respectful environment.
We wish to foster and encourage our pupils to take their place in the school, mindful of the needs and feelings of others.
We expect there to be mutual respect between pupils and adults regardless of whether these adults are teaching staff or not.
We promote a caring attitude to personal and school property.
We ask children to take responsibility for their own actions as appropriate to their age and understanding.
We are active in dealing with all forms of Bullying and encourage restorative practice and positive relationships.
This is backed up with the use of praise from all members of staff, certificates and highlighting of positive behaviour at Assembly. Our “Special Person Award” is only given as appropriate and highlights a particular attitude or event, which merits recognition.
Only in very serious circumstances are formal exclusion procedures brought into play. North Lanarkshire and parents are fully involved throughout. We will always seek ways to address and modify behaviour and formal exclusion is regarded by us as an exceptional sanction.
We actively encourage all pupils to be open and honest:
- To be unafraid to discuss worries.
- To “tell” rather than take the law into their own hands when they are uncomfortable or aggrieved, so that we can help them through situations.
- To stand up for and support each other when they see bullying or injustice.
- To come to us if they are concerned about any pupil’s welfare.
All of our P1 pupils are allocated “a buddy” from P7 who becomes their special person for that year. P3 to P6 also send representatives to the school council.
We provide supervision during intervals and lunch and all members of our team take an active roll in promoting positive discipline and monitoring peer interaction.
Restorative Practices in Netherton Primary School
Restorative Practices was developed to support and help the building and repair of healthy relationships. Netherton Primary School Staff are trained in restorative practices and utilise two sets of restorative questions. The two sets of restorative questions are:
For those who have caused the harm:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who else has been affected by what you did?
- In what way?
- What do you think you need to do to make things right?
For those who have been harmed:
- What did you think when you realised what had happened?
- What impact has this incident had on you?
- What impact has this had on people close to you?
- What has been the hardest thing for you?
- What do you think needs to happen to make things right?
