RATIONALE

Under the Education and Inspection Act, 2006, the governing body is charged with the duty to set the framework of the school’s policy by providing a written statement of general principles relating to behaviour and discipline, taking into account the needs of all pupils.

The purpose of this statement is to give guidance to the Executive Headteacher in drawing up the behaviour and discipline policy by stating the principles which governors expect to be followed. The policy aims to underpin the governors’ duty of care to pupils and employees; promote teaching and learning; high standards of progress and attainment and preserve the reputation of the school.

This is a statement of principles, not practice. The practical application of these principles is the responsibility of the Executive Headteacher.

The statement is available upon request from the school and can be found on the school’s website. It is informed by our schools mission, vision and aims.

PRINCIPLES

• All children, staff and visitors have the right to feel safe, valued and respected, and learn free from the disruption of others.

• We have an inclusive school and all pupils, staff and visitors are free from any form of discrimination.

• Staff and volunteers set an excellent example to pupils at all times.

• Rewards, sanctions and reasonable force are known, understood and used consistently by staff, in line with

  the behaviour policy.

• Governors would like to see a wide range of rewards, consistently and fairly applied in such a way to reward

  good behaviour around the school.

• The behaviour policy and associated school rules are understood by pupils and staff.

• It is recognised that the use of rewards and sanctions must have regard to the individual situation and the

  individual child and the Executive Headteacher is expected to use their discretion in their use. Sanctions however should be applied fairly, consistently, proportionally and reasonably, taking into account SEND, disability and the needs of vulnerable children, offering support as necessary

• Anti-social behaviour could be a sign that a pupil needs help or attention, or that the pupil is bored or impatient. Staff should investigate these possibilities. Pupils should be made aware of the impact of their antisocial behaviour and that any consequence for the pupil should be primarily to ensure safety for all (protective consequence) and secondarily to establish what the pupil needs to do or learn in order to be able to change their behaviour (educational consequence).

• Pupils are helped to take responsibility for their actions

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

• Exclusions will only be used as a last resort, the processes involved in permanent and fixed-term exclusions will follow the Local Authority Policy. All exclusions will be formally reported to the Local Authority and Governing Board.

• Taking part in activity organised by the school
• Travelling to or from school
• Wearing school uniform or in some other way identifiable as a pupil at the school.
• This statement and the behaviour policy will be reviewed on a three-yearly basis unless changes at national or local level necessitate an exceptional review

The governing board also emphasises that violence or threatening behaviour or abuse by pupils or parents towards the school staff will not be tolerated. If a parent does not conduct themself properly, the school may ban them from the school premises and, if they continue to cause disturbance, he or she may be liable to prosecution.

The governors expect the Executive Headteacher to discipline pupils for misbehaviour outside school (including notifying police) witnessed by a member of staff or reported to school when:

• Taking part in activity organised by the school

• Travelling to or from school

• Wearing school uniform or in some other way identifiable as a pupil at the school.

  This statement and the behaviour policy will be reviewed on a three-yearly basis unless changes at national or local level necessitate an exceptional review

Statement written May 2023