BishopstonPrimary School

Behaviour Policy

(with Anti-Bullying Policy)

Article 12: Children have a right to say what they think should happen . . . . . and have their opinions taken into account

Article 19: Children have the right to be properly cared for and protected from violence.

Aims of the Policy

The aim of this policy is to set out the principles by which behaviour in BishopstonPrimary School is managed.

We believe that the management of behaviour is closely linked to the school’s pastoral and welfare role.

By this we mean that all staff, but particularly the class teacher, will make every effort to build positive relationships and an understanding of each child. Staff will make every effort to provide opportunities for each child to experience success, receive praise and to build self-esteem. This will provide a basis where discussion of attitudes or acknowledgement of unacceptable behaviour is able to take place in a supportive environment.

We believe that we are helping children to realise their role in society, to understand and control their own emotions and behaviours, and to understand how their actions impact on others.

It is expected that everyone in the school community will follow and adhere to this Behaviour Policy.

Behaviour is the responsibility of all staff in school.

As a staff we recognise that management of behaviour is best achieved in a collegial, supportive environment and that our role is to promote good behaviour through:

  • A non-confrontational approach
  • Modelling the behaviour we expect from children
  • Emphasising behaviour as a choice
  • Promoting and supporting positive behaviour choices
  • Promoting and supporting the Golden Rules
  • Developing positive corrective styles
  • Utilising related consequences
  • Utilising the principle of cool-off time and time-out

Management of Behaviour

The management of behaviour relies heavily on the understanding of the 4Rs – that is Rights, Responsibilities, Rules and Results (consequences.)

EVERYBODY at BISHOPSTON PRIMARY has RIGHTS

Students: have the right to work, play and learn in a friendly, safe and helpful school.

Teachers: have the right to teach in a friendly, safe and satisfying environment which is supported by the school community.

Staff: have the right to work in a friendly, safe and satisfying environment which is supported by the whole community

Parents: have the right to feel welcome and to know that their children are able to work, play and learn in a friendly, safe and helpful school.

EVERYBODY at BISHOPSTON PRIMARY has RESPONSIBILITIES

We all need to show care and respect to everyone else in our school community. We also need to show respect for belongings and equipment, whoever they belong to and also for the school itself.

We show this care by:

  • ListeningBeing Honest
  • HelpingLooking after each other
  • Trying our bestTrying to understand each other
  • Encouraging othersBeing polite
  • Making time for othersSharing time
  • Helping others understandCo-operating
  • Helping others belongAsking for help
  • Working out problems fairlyHaving a go

Rules

In order to protect our rights and encourage responsibility we follow basic rules that apply to everyone at all times when in school.

All classes will follow the same classroom rules – The Golden Rules.

The Golden Rules

Do be gentleDo not hurt anyone

Do be kind and helpfulDo not hurt people’s feelings

Do work hardDo not waste your or other people’s time

Do look after propertyDo not waste or damage things

Do listen to peopleDo not interrupt

Do be honestDo not cover up the truth

The Golden Rules will be reinforced and promoted by the use of Golden Time.

Golden Time will be a time of choice for all children who have maintained the Rules during the week. All classes will maintain a display of the Golden Rules and those children who are ‘on the Sun’, ‘on the cloud’ etc.

Results - Consequences

When behaviour is good the consequence may be:

  • A quiet word or smile of encouragement
  • Written comment on pupils work
  • Stickers
  • Praise
  • Visit to another member of staff or Headteacher
  • Written note to parent informing them of the positive behaviour
  • Superstar certificate
  • Acknowledgment in School Newsletter

When behaviour is unacceptable the consequence may be:

  • Verbal reminder of positive behaviour – e.g. remember to walk, thanks!
  • Verbal apology to hurt party
  • Written apology to hurt party
  • Sit down and work it out together by:
  • The problem is ……
  • Some ways to fix it are ……
  • We plan to ……
  • We will check with …… to see if the plan is working
  • Work with the teacher and/or fill in a sheet
  • What did I do against the rules?
  • What rules did I break
  • Why did I do it? (optional)
  • What can I do to fix it? (not just ‘Sorry’,how can you make amends to the hurt party, what strategies to employ if a similar situation arises)
  • Withdrawal from the activity, or, in the case of playground, time-out

Behaviour Management Techniques that will be used:

Discussion with child or children

  • Calm the situation and individuals
  • Questions based on : What is the Golden Rule?
  • Listen to both sides of a problem with no interruptions
  • Reflect back on the rule
  • Discuss what each will do about it
  • Children choose a solution that is acceptable to them
  • Children put solution into effect

Time-Outs

There are areas within the playground and classrooms which will be designated as Time-Out areas. These are places where children can go if they need to be removed from a problem for a time of reflection or until solutions can be put into operation.

If children need to be removed from the classroom/ yard immediately because their behaviour is disruptive or endangering others, there is a time-out zone outside the Headteachers room to which they can be sent. A record will be made of all pupils sent to this area.

For major problems or repeated disregard of the rules, parents/ carers will be contacted. Discussion will involve parents with Headteacher and/ or staff. A record of the meeting will be kept.

If the problem still occurs, there will be a need to convene another meeting/s to discuss other strategies that could be implemented to modify behaviour. This may eventually result in involvement from the Behaviour Support Service of the LEA.

Anti Bullying Policy

All it takes for bullying to prevail, is for pupils, staff and parents to say nothing

Whilst this policy is mainly defined for pupil on pupil bullying, we recognise that bullying can occur both in an adult to child, and an adult to adult context also. We would strive to tackle bullying in all contexts through the procedures in this document.

We recognise that bullying can occur through face-to-face contact, but increasingly through the use of electronic media such as mobile phones, computers and social networking sites on the internet. At Bishopston we aim to teach children how to deal appropriately with bullying they encounter in any of its forms

What is Bullying?

Bullying is not easy to define. However, in Bishopston, we believe that bullying involves an individual or a group of people, regularly or often, treating another group or individual without proper regard or respect.Having said that, any incident that involves an individual

When asked the question, this is what pupils at Bishopston Primary said:

  • When people ignoring you or leaveyou out of their games
  • When people spread rumours about you
  • People being nasty about you
  • When people hurt you – on the inside or the outside
  • When people hurt your feelings
  • When people say unkind things about you
  • When people make fun of you because of disability, colour, religion or any other reason
  • When people threaten to harm you
  • When people threaten to harm you if you don’t listen to what they say
  • When people call you names
  • When people take things from you

The important thing is not the action but the effect on the victim.

How does bullying make you feel?

The effect of bullying on the victim is wide ranging, but can have extremely serious consequences. When asked the question, this is what pupils at Bishopston Primary said it made them feel:

  • Sad Angry
  • DistraughtDistressed
  • UnhappyGrumpy
  • UnwantedConfused
  • StressedUpset
  • Physically hurtEmotionally hurt

Preventing Bullying at Bishopston Primary

In Bishopston we adopt a positive approach to behaviour management. Through assemblies, Golden Rules, recognising and rewarding positive behaviour we are committed to ensuring that the school community works together to create a happy, safe and caring environment in which to learn. We continually remind children of the importance of treating others well. We raise awareness of bullying through the structures mentioned above, but also through PSE and Circle Time, giving pupils an opportunity to talk about their experiences and feelings. Pupils are also given opportunities to work together to develop support structures such as peer mediators and buddies.

We work closely with the Police Education Officers in order to promote the safe use of mobiles phones, computer and social networking sites.

Dealing with Bullying if it occurs

Children

If someone you know is being bullied:

  • Let a teacher or adult know what is happening
  • Try to be a friend to the person being bullied
  • Refuse to join in
  • Ask for help

If you are being bullied:

  • Remember it is NOT your fault
  • THIS IS A TELLING SCHOOL – telling is the first step to solving the problem
  • Tell someone you trust (friend, parent, teacher, Headteacher)
  • Write down what is happening
  • Take control – you can overcome this, but you may need help

Staff

Bullying is unacceptable.

All such incidents are dealt with by staff in line with our Behaviour Policy.

It is the responsibility of everyone to report acts of bullying as soon as they arise.

THIS IS A TELLING SCHOOL – if children are to trust this statement, then we recognise we must be seen to act when we are told.

Silence and secrecy nurture bullying

If you come across bullying:

  • Remain calm. Emotional reactions give the bully control
  • Ensure the victim is safe and being cared for
  • Take the incident seriously and act as quickly as possible
  • Think about whether your actions need to be private or public
  • Reassure the victim – don’t make them feel inadequate or foolish
  • Offer support, help and advice to the victim
  • Disapprove of the bully’s actions
  • Encourage the bully to see the victims point of view
  • Punish the bully, explaining clearly what and why it is being given; be careful not to be aggressive as this reinforces the bullying message!

Involving others:

  • Inform Senior Staff – particularly the Headteacher
  • Complete an Incidence of Bullying form
  • Inform colleagues where vigilance needs to be taken
  • The Head/ Deputy will inform both sets of parents and explain how the incident has been dealt with
  • Ensure that incidents of bullying do not live on through reminders from you

Parents

If you child reports to you that they have been bullied in school:

  • Listen carefully to what they have to say
  • Make a note of what they say, the pupils that were involved and any potential witnesses to what happened
  • Try to discriminate between quarrels and bullying
  • THIS IS A TELLING SCHOOL – inform the school at the earliest opportunity.

For instances of bullying in the contexts where adults are involved, we would still encourage our Telling approach. It may be necessary in these cases to refer to our Staff Disciplinary and Grievance documents in order to resolve some of these issues.

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Investor in People
2003, 2006, 2009, 2012 / Rights Respecting School
2011 / Quality Award
2006, 2010 / Healthy Schools Award
2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 / Eco-Schools Green Flag
2008, 2011

BishopstonPrimary School

Behaviour Policy