Rationale

Schools are places of learning and it is important that behaviour is managed so that the best possible learning can take place.

The Behaviour Policy will:

  1. Help create a positive and orderly atmosphere where good teaching and learning can take place.
  2. Establish a safe environment for students and staff through the clarification of expectations, roles, rights and responsibilities.
  3. Reduce teacher and students stress through the use of effective systems and practices
  4. Provide a core of stability and cohesion regardless of changing conditions and personnel

The underlying philosophy of The Kingswood is that our students will have the opportunity to change their previous patterns of behaviour and develop positive attitudes and standards that will sustain them successfully through their school career and beyond into adult life.

In order to achieve this students and staff need a common understanding of their goals and a consistent framework to help achieve them. This system has to support learning and provide clear systems of rewards and sanctions.

The behaviour policy is based on shared principles for both staff and students.

The principles agreed by the stakeholders are:

  • Respect for all members of the Kingswood community and visitors.
  • Co-operation and team work to achieve common goals.
  • Fairness and consistency for all working and visiting the school.
  • Quality well prepared stimulating lessons.
  • Hard work and consideration for the benefit of others.
  • All members of the Kingswood to be valued and receive praise and reward.
  • The Kingswood to provide a safe, welcoming environment and a duty to maintain the environment by all members of the community.
  • All members of the community to wear appropriate dress in and around the school.

The stakeholders expect the following to be provided and expected of the community.

  • A happy, positive welcoming environment.
  • High achievement and support to attain high standards.
  • Attainable goals and targets to be set for all.
  • A set of agreed rules and standards to be followed by all.
  • An ethos that focuses on learning and respect.
  • Each and every student takes responsibility for their work and learning.
  • Effective clear communication.
  • To follow reasonable requests and challenge those who do not.

Procedures and Implementation

On admission all students are given the opportunity to discuss the Kingswood Code of Conduct and then agree to this by signing the Admissions Agreement. The system is essentially clear and simple with tangible rewards for good behaviour and work and withdrawal of privileges for poor behaviour. The effects of warnings are always immediate and always give the students the chance to recover.

Report sheets

All students’ behaviour and work efforts are recorded daily on Target/tracking Sheets.

Targets are drawn up for work and behaviour initially based on the records we received from school and subsequently from our understanding of each student needs. Learning targets are subject specific and are set by subject teachers. Students can earn a maximum of 5 points per lesson:

1 point for punctuality

1 point for effort

1 point for work

1 point for behaviour

1 point for remaining in class

0 points for absence

Every lesson is given a score.

There is room on the target sheets to write comments if necessary.

Each week the scores on the target sheet are counted and a percentage is calculated to show how well each student has done.

These target sheets are posted home each week.

Students making significant progress will be supported and rewarded though through the reward/credit system. The reward systems have been adapted to best meet the needs of the ages of the children involved

The daily sheets have been adapted into a tracking programme, the good behaviour is praise at the end of day tutor time and in celebration assemblies, phone call home are for good and poor behaviour and a summary report will be sent home to show students progress.

De-brief sessions at the end of the day can be used to monitor the target sheets. It is essential that daily monitoring is kept up to date. Each member of staff is responsible for recording scores of the students they have taught each day and recording credits and warnings given outside the classroom.

Code of Conduct

  • Everyone to act with courtesy and consideration to others at all times.
  • The curriculum and learning should support the school’s policy wherever possible.
  • Adults on school property will abide by any appropriate bye-laws or regulations, and give due regard to any requests from the school.
  • Within the school building students are expected to move about gently and quietly.
  • Students are expected be quiet and listen when requested to do so, and obey instructions given by an authorised member of staff.
  • As well as being well behaved within school, students are expected to behave appropriately in the school grounds and on their way to or from school and when with groups or class visits.
  • Students are to arrive for school on time.
  • All students are of equal value and are to be treated equally regardless of sex or cultural or ethnic background.
  • Smoking on site will not be tolerated.
  • Violence will not be tolerated.
  • Abusive and threatening language will not be tolerated
  • Racial and sexual abuse will not be tolerated.
  • Failure to respond to reasonable requests will not be tolerated.
  • Students and adults are to take care of the building and its environs and any equipment therein.
  • Students must remove hats, hoods and coats when in the school building.
  • Mobile phones must not be used during lessons.

Classroom Discipline

When consistently used, positive recognition will:

  • Encourage students to behave appropriately.
  • Increase the students’ self esteem.
  • Reduce problem behaviours.
  • Create a positive classroom climate for everyone concerned.
  • Help to teach appropriate behaviour and establish positive relationships between staff and students.

Examples of appropriate behaviour:-

Put your hand up or go to the teacher when you wish to speak.

Listen when others are speaking.

Be kind and polite to each other.

Be in the right place at the right time.

Respect school property and the property of others.

Praise and positive strategies

Effective praise is genuine.

Effective praise is descriptive and specific.

Positive strategies:-

Non-verbal approval
Send to HT / Verbal approval/acknowledgement
Public recognition
Home contact

Positive notes and ‘phone calls home

Don’t underestimate the impact of positive communication between school and home! The goal of a positive note or ‘phone call is to share with parents “good news” about their student. It’s also a good way to establish positive relationships with parents.

Classroom Discipline Procedure

Consistent procedures are necessary at all times.

1. Ignore unwanted behaviour/praise others who are co-operating.

2. Use low level behaviour management strategies -

The look

Proximity

Simple directions

Avoid using the word ‘No’

Non-verbal signals

3. Involve the non-concentrator. Use diversionary tactics.

4. Use encouragement.

Sanctions

Sanctions should be:

a negative experience for a student/group and not a rewarding one

applied consistently

not just an empty threat

applied immediately

related to the misdemeanour

fair

such as to allow relationships to remain or improve

carried out calmly

too open. More emphasis on Form Tutors and Classroom Teachers. (See flow chart).

Policy reviewed by SMT December 2012

Given to staff - December 2012

Next review date July 2013

Blue Slip procedure

  • Blue slips are used to alert a specific member of staff (usually the Form Tutor) regarding a concern over a specific student or group of students.
  • A slip should be completed by the end of the school day.
  • It is the responsibility of the member of staff who initiated the cause for concern to follow up on what action has been taken.
  • Members of staff dealing with blue slips will probably use one of the following:

 Phone call home

 Letter home

 Meet with student(s) concerned

 Invite parents in to a meeting

 Home visit

  • Form tutors should keep a record of blue slips for their tutees in their File so that these may be used at Academic Reviews or Parent/Tutor meetings.
  • Names of any other students involved in an incident should NEVER be disclosed to Parents or students.

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Pink Slip Procedure

  • Pink slips are used to record an incident.
  • A pink slip MUST be completed by the end of the school day at the VERY latest.
  • Form tutors should keep a record of pink slips for their tutees in their File so that these may be used at Academic Reviews or Parent/Tutor meetings.
  • Names of any other students involved in an incident should NEVER be disclosed to Parents or Students.
  • SMT dealing with pink slips will probably use one of the following:

 Phone call home

 Meet with student(s) concerned

 Invite parents in to a meeting

 Home visit

 Exclusion (1 – 5 days)

  • If a student is excluded for 1 day, it is the responsibility of the member of staff where the incident occurred to meet with the student to discuss the problem/incident.
  • If a student is excluded for more 2/3 days, it will be the responsibility of SMT to hold a reintegration meeting on the return day to school.
  • If a student is excluded for more than 3 days there will be a meeting with both the student and the parents. The meeting with parents will take place within 10 days of return to school as this is in line with the National guidelines it will either be in school or by a home visit.
  • Following any exclusion the form tutor of the student(s) involved will place that student on report and follow the procedures for reports.

The aim of these procedures is to keep as many children as possible in a classroom environment, for as long as possible, giving them access to the curriculum whilst continuing to address their individual needs.

The responsibility for addressing behavioural issues in the classroom will remain with the class teacher.

Senior Management will support these procedures through an ‘On Call’ system, The Procedure

1) In the first instance the classroom teacher will attempt to deal with the incident and then refocus the student(s) concerned to their designated work. At this point it is left to the discretion of the teacher as to whether any further sanctions are necessary (INSET will be provided). At this stage paperwork is left to the discretion of the class teacher.

2) Should the incident be deemed serious or the student(s) too difficult to refocus then the Senior Management ‘On Call’ should be contacted.

The Senior Management will at this point support the classroom teacher by attempting to refocus the student(s) and return to class with appropriate and agreed sanctions. It will then be the responsibility of the class teacher to complete an incident form, including all action taken, and pass copies to the tutor and Senior Management.

3) In cases which the Senior Management feel are serious enough and where it is not

possible to return the student(s) to class, the Office will immediately contact home to

a) Exclude students for the remainder of the day.

b) Inform parents of the situation and that when the student returns to school the next day, they will spend an agreed time in IE.

c) Agreed time in IE after Exclusions will be Tues/Wed/Thurs 10-1.00 at the M2. Subject coursework will be attained and used during this time.

d) If IE has been completed satisfactorily the student(s) will return to a normal school day.

e) If IE has not been completed satisfactorily then they will return to make up the time.

f) Upon completion of IE the student(s) will, on the next day of attendance, return to normal lessons but will be on a day report for one day. This report will be issued by the IE Supervisor and run for one day. A copy of which will be kept by the IE Supervisor and one given to the Tutor. If further action is necessary this will be in agreement with the Tutor and Senior Management.

g) The IE Supervisor will, on the Weekly Report allocate points and any comments for the student(s) time in IE.

h) Calls home for Praise or Concern during the IE period will be carried out by the IE Supervisor at the end of each day.

4) As IE will now be pre-arranged, Subject Teacher’s are responsible for providing the IE Supervisor with appropriate work for the student(s). If no work is provided, the student will return to that class.

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