Behaviour

Statement of Behaviour Principles:

The Education and Inspectors Act 2006 and DfE guidance (Behaviour and discipline in schools, January 2016) requires the Governors to make and frequently, review a written statement of general behaviour principles to guide the Head teacher in determining measures to promote good behaviour.   Practical applications of these principles are the responsibility of the Head teacher and co-ordinated by the school’s Behaviour Lead, Mr De La Cruz.

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Excellent standards of behaviour are key features of our successful school; they encourage children’s sense of security and well-being as well as facilitate effective teaching and learning and enable children to make the best possible progress in all aspects of their school life.

We base our Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy upon a clear set of principles and values with every member of the school community agreeing what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and what the consequences of that behaviour will be. 

Good behaviour is expected, and praised at all times.  It is our aim that children develop self-discipline, and they must be in no doubt there is a strict framework of control supporting our positive approach.  All pupils, parents, staff and visitors to school MUST understand there is a heightened need for good behaviour as we all manage the health and safety requirements to assuage the risks of the Coronavirus pandemic for the school community.  

Children learn best when they feel secure are respected and trusted.  Each child has an entitlement to learning experiences (pastoral and academic) which offer the maximum opportunity for development. 

Our ambitious and broad curriculum promotes the well-being of all the children in our care and determines to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of not only their current and subsequent key stage, but with a long view of adult life to come, by insisting upon mutually respectful, equitable, progressively positive, learning behaviours.  

Children are required to demonstrate excellent behaviours for learning in order to gain the maximum from the Contextualised Curriculum and catch-up with work they have, through not fault of their own, missed due to the restrictions of Coronavirus.  

We recognise that good learning behaviour is far more than compliance.  Good learning behaviours include high levels of engagement and focus, and long term personal development in line with our personal development goals of Resilience, Aspiration, Morality, Co-operation, Adaptability and Respect. During September and ongoing, children will be reminded what good learning behaviours look like and praised for trying to use them on a regular basis.  

To embed this effort, our PSHE curriculum (which uses resources accredited by the PSHE Association) underpins the teaching of positive behaviour across the school community. 

We discuss, share and agree behaviour expectations at the start of each academic year and throughout the year at appropriate times e.g. our whole school focus and participation in Anti-Bullying Week, in November of each academic Year. This ensures that children and staff recognise the importance of consistency in approach and actions, so the agreed expectations continue to be displayed, positively modelled and praised throughout the academic year. 

Pupils must act responsibly, and conduct themselves in and out of school in a thoughtful and polite manner, in order to ensure the reputation of Leys Primary School as a safe, and supportive community, is sustained. 

Behaviour by all members of our school community will always adhere to fundamental British Values. We insist that all parents and visitors abide by the Parent / Visitor Code of Conduct (see Policy section of the website or enquire at the school office) and show consideration, tolerance and respect for the rights and needs of others in and around our school. 

We teach children about positive relationships and how the behaviour associated with this endeavour helps them to keep safe.  At the start of each academic year, children are reminded of the members of the Keeping Safe Team: the members of staff and governors whom children can speak to if anything is troubling them. 

Principles in summary:

• All children, staff and visitors have the right to feel safe at all times at school

• Leys Primary is an inclusive school. All members of the school community should be free from discrimination of any sort. Measures to protect children MUST be set out in the Behaviour for Learning, Anti-bullying and Safeguarding policies

• The school rules should be clearly set out in the Behaviour for Learning and Anti-bullying Policy and displayed around school.  Governors expect these rules to be consistently applied by all staff

• Governors would like to see a wide range of rewards, consistently and fairly applied in such a way as to encourage and reward good behaviour around school

• Sanctions for unacceptable/poor behaviour should be known and understood by all staff and pupils and consistently applied

• It is recognised that the use of rewards and sanctions must have regard to the individual situation and the individual student and the Headteacher is expected to use his discretion in their use. Sanctions should however be applied fairly, consistently, proportionally and reasonably, taking into account SEND, disability and the needs of vulnerable children, and offering support as necessary

• The Governors strongly feel, that exclusions, particularly those that are permanent, must only be used as the very last resort

• The Governors expect pupils and parents to cooperate to maintain an orderly climate for learning

• The Governors wish to emphasise that violence, threatening behaviour or abuse by pupils or parents / carers towards the school’s staff will not be tolerated. If a parent does not conduct himself/herself according to the Parent / Visitor Code of Conduct or the Home School Agreement, the school may ban them from the school premises and, if the parent continues to cause disturbance, he or she may be liable to prosecution.

• The Governors expect the Headteacher to include guidance on the use of reasonable force, within the Behaviour Policy.

Mr De La Cruz

September 2023