Behaviour Policy
The introduction of our new policy on behaviour during the academic year 1993/1994 proved to be very successful, particularly when we had the support of the parents. The partnership between school and home is the keystone to ensuring that your child has a happy and productive time at this school. We strongly encourage all parents to work closely with the teaching staff and we are confident that through open discussion, an amicable solution can be found to any problems that may be encountered.
Sharing assemblies
Our `Sharing Assemblies' will continue every Friday afternoon at 2.45 p.m. These occasions have proved to be very constructive and we will continue to reward and encourage positive actions such as good behaviour, acts of kindness, courtesy, effort, achievement and all things desirable. Staff nominate children and record their nominations in an official book.
During the assembly Mr. Culley reads out the nominations for that week and comments on them. Each nominee then comes out to the front of the assembly to receive a certificate and the applause of the school. Mr. Culley then chooses one of the nominees to receive the ultimate accolade for their class, the `Dutch Plate'. This is a brass plate with a red ribbon that is hung up in the classroom of the winner for the following week. Ask one of the children why we chose this particular brass plate as a symbol of caring and sharing.
House point system
When the children reach Year 3, they are allocated to one of four Houses; Rosedale (red), Farndale (yellow), Newtondale (blue) and Kirkdale (green). Through their own endeavours they can then earn house points for their team. House points are awarded for good work, effort, achievement and exemplary behaviour. During our main school assembly every Tuesday morning, the captains from the House with the highest total of points for that week are presented with the House Cup. They then have the privilege of adorning the cup with their house ribbon and this is displayed in the main entrance. All the members of the winning house are applauded by the rest of the school.
The Shaw Family Trophy
In September 1994 Mr. & Mrs. Shaw from Abbotts Farm, very kindly donated a trophy which is now an integral part of our behaviour policy. This trophy is awarded every term to the `MOST PROMISING YOUNG CITIZEN'. The following seven categories form the basis for the criteria which are considered before making the award:
GOOD HEALTH / FAMILY / CARING / SERVICE / COMMUNITY / EARTH,SEA AND SKY / NATURE. We feel certain that you will agree that this is an excellent idea and reinforces the very positive messages that our school is providing for all the children.
The Jackie England Shield
In December 1995 Mrs. Cook very kindly donated a shield in memory of her daughter, Jackie England, who died in October 1994. For many years Jackie was one of our Lolli-pop ladies and we will treasure our fond memories of her robust, lively and very caring character.
The shield will be presented every term to a child who has made outstanding progress throughout the term.
Woolhouse Music Cup
Mr & Mrs Burns very kindly presented the school with the Woolhouse Music Cup, to be presented termly, to a pupil making outstanding progress in music. This cup is named after Sally Woolhouse, who was the music teacher at that time. It is the privilege of the resident music teacher to chose the winner of this prestigious award.
Court Effort Salvers & Certificates
Effort Salvers and certificates are awarded every half-term two children in each class. These were kindly donated by Mr and mrs R Court.
Firth PE Trophies
These trophies were presented by Mrs G Firth to mark her retirement. They are presented to one child from each Key Stage for excellence in the Pe Curriculum.
Unacceptable or unfinished work
OUR experiences over recent years have indicated that parents prefer to be informed as early as possible when their child's behaviour is becoming `unacceptable' or when their child is not working to their full potential, so that they can help the school monitor their own child’s performance. If your child hands in a piece of work which the teacher considers to be unfinished or unacceptable (after taking into consideration the time allowed and your child’s capabilities) they will be asked to take the work home to complete in addition to any homework they may have.
Code of practice for discipline
Unacceptable Behaviour
The procedure therefore for any child whose behaviour is becoming `unacceptable' and who is not responding to counselling by their class teacher and routine classroom sanctions, is for the child to be put into DETENTION. A clinical definition of what constitutes `unacceptable behaviour' is not entirely appropriate when dealing with young children. All too often it is a question of `attitude' and the individual circumstances of each situation must be taken into account. However, in broad terms we consider `unacceptable behaviour' to include aggression e.g. bullying, disobedience, rudeness to staff, stealing, vandalism and any form of unco-operative or disruptive behaviour that deprives others of the right to participate in a happy learning environment.
Parents informed early
Our experiences throughout last year have indicated that parents would prefer to be informed as early as possible when their child's behaviour is becoming `unacceptable'. We have also found that in the vast majority of cases, individual problems have been resolved when parents and teachers support each other and work together.
Detention
When a child is put into detention his or her name will be recorded in the official detention book, along with the reason for the detention. A detention can vary according to circumstances and may result in the loss of one or both breaktimes and may possibly include the loss of free time during the lunch hour.
We view a detention as a serious punishment and if a child receives two detentions in any one half term the parents will be informed by letter. We expect parents to support the school at this stage and have `words' with their child.
If parents wish to discuss the situation with the class teacher they are most welcome. All we ask is that they make an appointment.
Headteacher involved
If there is no improvement or if the situation worsens the child will be sent to the head teacher and his or her name will be recorded on a `PINK CARD'. At this stage we consider the situation to be deteriorating rapidly and becoming a cause for serious concern. Further counselling will take place along with more detentions and very close monitoring.
Parents invited in
If the child still refuses to modify his or her behaviour and is sent to the head teacher twice in any one half term the parents will be invited to attend a meeting at school to participate in the formulation of an action plan to help the child. Clearly, if a child does not respond its parents discipline or sanctions then outside agencies will have to be involved.
Exclusion
In extreme cases discussions would involve the school Governors and could lead to an exclusion.