In consultation with pupils and staff we have developed a classroom and playground discipline approach which is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  At the heart of this approach is the understanding that children are rights holders (people who have rights ) and also rights duty bearers (people who help others to receive their rights).

Positive behaviour approaches promote and reinforce the articles of the UNCRC.  Staff regularly recognise children’s efforts in helping themselves and others to receive their rights through positive praise, stickers, certificates and individual class reward systems.  Children are also encouraged to share ‘good news’ with the senior management of the school who also use positive praise, certificates and stickers to recognise children’s efforts.

We operate a House system in our school where every child is a member of a House Team.  Members of a House Team can gain tokens for their team promoting the importance of teamwork and reliance upon one another.  House tokens are awarded to the children who help themselves or others to receive their rights through positive behaviour in the playground, effort in class, manners and generally displaying good citizenship.  House tokens are counted each week and the winning house team recognised at Monday morning assembly.  The winning house team for that week receives a treat at lunch time.    The overall winning house team for the academic session receives an extra special treat in June.

Children’s wider personal achievements are formally recognised during achievement assemblies.  Staff of the school award successful learner, responsible citizen, effective contributor and confident individual certificates to children in their class who have displayed the attitudes of successful learners, responsible citizens, effective contributors and confident individuals throughout the month.  At achievement assemblies, children are also encouraged to celebrate wider personal achievements they have received outwith the school by sharing awards, certificates, medals or any other recognition which they have received.

To help our children to understand their own and other’s rights, we use rights based language within our school and regularly talk about the rights which children have.  In addition to this, we have clear, concise and easily understood rules to help our children make good choices and meet the standards of behaviour expected at school.

Rules (P1 – 3):

1.  Have kind hands and feet.
2. Good listening.
3. Good sitting.
4. Follow instructions.

Rules (P4 – 7):

1. Listen carefully to instructions.                                                                         .
2. Have your tools of the trade ready.                                                                 .
3. Treat each other with respect.

We are very proud of our school and all of our pupils who are frequently commended for their excellent standard of behaviour.  On the few occasions when pupils choose not to follow our school rules the following steps will be taken:

1. Verbal warning.
2. Withdrawal from group for a specified time.
3. Report to Depute Head Teacher.
4. Alternative playtime provision.
5. Report to Head Teacher.
6. Meeting with Head Teacher, parent and child.