ST COLUMBA’S CATHOLICPRIMARY SCHOOL
BEHAVIOUR & DISCIPLINE POLICY
In order to help our children become the best they can be we follow this policy for behaviour
The Curriculum of the School covers all that is taught and learned. This is not confined to subjects and areas of knowledge or skills. We aim to educate the whole child and are concerned with moral behaviour, values and developing positive attitudes towards self and others.
As a CatholicSchool we seek to uphold traditional Christian values. A part of this is that every child is an individual, precious in God’s eyes, with talents which are to be valued and encouraged. It is essential that respect be given to each child and that in return each child will show respect and courtesy in their dealings with all the school community.
These expectations will require the constant attention of all staff. Appropriate behaviour will be encouraged and re-inforced throughout the School. The Way, the Truth and the Life programme of RE seeks not only to pass on the beliefs of our faith but also to encourage the spiritual and moral development of each child. SEAL materials are also used to support social and emotional development.
An essential part of our Christian belief is reconciliation. While we do not condone wrong doing, children should experience forgiveness for any mistakes or transgressions that may occur as a result of their actions. Children always have a new start if a mistake has been made.
As a School we promote good work and behaviour, ie: children displaying these qualities may be sent to the Headteacher or other teachers for praise. At assemblies we regularly celebrate the abilities displayed by children.
We feel children respond to positive strategies and praise and use the following to encourage good behaviour.
- Class Contracts
- WholeSchool House System
- Simple school rules based around one rule ‘Be Kind to One Another’
- Stickers and rewards
- Headteacher rewards
- Recognition of success in assemblies (success in any form be it kindness or Literacy)
- Learning Books
- Positive behaviour books in class
- Letters to parents for excellence
At school, discipline is concerned with the care and welfare of the pupils and correction and reprimands are intended to point out behaviour which is inappropriate and could detrimentally effect others. Ultimately, all parents must take responsibility for their children. Where a child’s behaviour or attitudes are causing concern or affecting progress, parents may be asked to discuss this with staff. Most breaches of school rules are dealt with by class teachers, more serious breaches will be dealt with by the Headteacher or deputy.
If rules are broken then the following strategies will be applied to ensure safety and learning. Stages maybe skipped depending upon the seriousness of the actions.
- Warning
- Name on the board or time out or traffic light system
- Behaviour in blue book
- Remain ‘on the wall’ at playtime for detention or stay in with teacher to finish work
- Sent to another teacher
- Sent to SMT
- Sent to the Head
- Name in black book
- Parents contacted
- Parents invited for a meeting
- Behaviour plan in place
In the EYFS and Y1 a traffic light system in used where all children have a place on green and move to amber and red if disruptive behaviour is noted. If a child reaches red they have a chance to move back to amber however if they continue to be disruptive they move to stage 4 (see above). Parents are contacted at the end of the day by the class teacher if the children have appeared on red and staff will ask if there may be some reason for this behaviour.
The same system is applied during lunchtimes. Dinner ladies award points and stickers for good behaviour and use the above to support. If children cannot behave during the lunch hour then parents will be asked to collect them and take them home for the lunch hour.
The purpose of school discipline is to contribute to effective learning and to see that the school functions as an orderly community. It is essential to ensure our children are safe and effectively learning.
St Columba’s list of rules are expressed in simple language and so easier to understand and follow. The rules are displayed in all classrooms and should be discussed with the children on a regular basis.
PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION
During playtimes there are 2/3 staff on duty in the infants and 2 staff in the juniors
During lunchtimes there are dinner ladies in all areas. There is supervision of the infant toilets.
There is a prefect system (infants and juniors) which is used to develop leadership and support behaviour. The Y6 children organise games and activities for the infants. This supports good behaviour.
BEHAVIOUR THAT NEEDS SEAL DISCUSSION
There are sometimes friendship issues that cause disruptive behaviour in the playground. It is important in this situation that children have the opportunity to discuss issues with a teacher or the head teacher so that friction and anxiety can be eliminated. With discussion and support children can be helped to move on to rebuild relationships with their peers.
Staff use SEAL materials to support this.
Lego club is also sometimes used as a way of socially supporting children who are having friendship problems.
PARENTAL SUPPORT
Sometimes we find that parents are having difficulty with behaviour at home. In this situation staff will offer support and get professionals to work with groups using the family SEAL materials.
RULES: See attached
St Columba’s children are generally very well behaved. To continue this success these rules must be applied in a consistent and fair manner.
Communication with parents is crucial and we aim to ensure parents are clear and committed to enforcing our school rules by giving them out at meetings or sending them home. If there is a problem then teachers will speak to parents and the head teacher and appropriate strategies will be put into place to suit the needs of the child (see above)
All children are different and systems may vary to suit the needs of children with specific needs.
Reviewed by Staff & Governors annually. Next review date Autumn 2017
C O’Donnell – Sept 2016