Behaviour
Last reviewed June 2019
Rationale and Purpose
- This Statement has been drawn up in accordance with the Education and Inspections Act, 2006, and DfE guidance (Behaviour and Discipline in Schools, 2012).
- The purpose of the Statement is to provide guidance for the Headteacher in drawing up the school’s Behaviour Policy so that it reflects the shared aspirations and beliefs of governors, staff and parents for the students in the school as well as taking full account of law and guidance on behaviour matters. It is intended to help all school staff to be aware of and understand the extent of their powers in respect of recognition and reward for good behaviour, discipline and sanctions for unacceptable behaviour and how to use them. Staff should be confident that they have the Governors’ support when following this guidance and the resulting behaviour policy.
- This is a statement of principles, not practice: it is the responsibility of the Headteacher to draw up the school’s behaviour policy, though she must take account of these principles when formulating this. The Headteacher is also asked to take account of the guidance in DfE publication Behaviour and Discipline in Schools: a guide for Headteachers and school staff.
- In deciding on these Behaviour Principles, the Governors consulted pupils, school staff and the Head teacher in order to ensure that the Principles are both relevant and appropriate. Parents are invited to comment on behaviour annually via the parent survey.
- The Behaviour Policy is published on the school website and available on request.
Principles
- Our aim is to create a learning environment in which children are and feel safe, secure, respected, happy and valued; one where “all can achieve”
- The Governors of Millbrook Infant School strongly believe that high standards of behaviour lie at the heart of a successful school that enables (a) all children to make the best possible progress in their learning and (b) all staff to be able to teach effectively and promote good learning.
- We recognise it is the responsibility of the whole school to create and maintain an orderly community in which effective learning can take place. No pupil will be allowed to behave in a manner which adversely affects the learning opportunities of others.
- The Governors expect the responsibilities of children, parents/carers and school regarding behaviour to be part of the ‘Home School Agreement’ which parents/carers receive and agree to on their child’s admission to school.
- We expect that all members of the Millbrook community, including children, staff and visitors will feel safe whilst in school. The promotion of mutual respect between staff and children and between the children themselves is important.
- Millbrook Infant School is an inclusive school. All members of the school community should be free from discrimination of any sort (as set out` in the Equality Act, 2010). As such due regard should be addressed and a clear Anti-bullying Policy that is consistently applied should be in place.
- We recognise the importance of clearly sharing the rules and expectations of the setting and the consequences of transgressing these so they are understood by all and consistently applied. These should be part of the behavior policy which the Head Teacher is responsible for drawing up and implementing.
- We view as essential a system of rewards for good or improving behaviour and sanctions where standards fall below an expected level.
- Rewards reinforce and sustain good behaviour and encourage other students to behave well.
- A hierarchy of sanctions should be followed to show that misbehaviour is not acceptable, demonstrate the disapproval of the school community and deter other students from similar behaviour.
- All rewards and sanctions must be applied consistently and fairly. However, it is recognised that the application of rewards and sanctions must have regard to the individual situation and the individual student.
- Governors expect full details of appropriate and correct use of reasonable force, physical contact and restraint to be detailed in the restraint policy and would expect adequate members of staff to be trained in the use of diffusion techniques, reasonable force and restraint.
- Governors expect the head teacher to include in the Behaviour policy, details of the school’s power to discipline outside the school gates: disciplining beyond the school gates covers the school’s response to all non-criminal inappropriate behaviour and bullying that occurs anywhere off the school premises. The Governors must be satisfied, in all situations arising, that the measures proposed by the head teacher are lawful and that staff and students know that sanctions can be applied in these circumstances.
Review
- This Statement of Principles will be reviewed every 2 years, or as necessary.
- The School Behaviour Policy will be reviewed and shared with the Governors annually.
This statement of principle was originally adopted by the governing body on 10th March 2015