Behaviour and discipline
Regular classroom observations by senior school leaders and reports from visitors including Ofsted inspectors and local authority advisers show that all pupils are usually motivated and engage positively in all activities. A very small minority of pupils behave in ways that are disruptive or hurtful on occasions. This behaviour is typically caused by the pupils’ lack of social understanding due to their learning difficulties or emotional problems rather than as result of deliberate bullying.
The School has a very positive approach to maintaining good behaviour among all the pupils. Our ‘Behaviour and Discipline Policy’ details the strategies that staff are expected to follow. Although the emphasis is always on the positive there are also times when children have to be disciplined in order to maintain the safety and security of all children.
The use of visual timetables and the establishment of meaningful and clear routines helps pupils to feel secure. Clear and consistent rules about acceptable behaviour are essential and only appropriate and meaningful rewards and sanctions should be used. Above all staff and volunteers are expected to act as role models for desirable behaviour.
Each classroom (except for the youngest children) displays a set of rules (traffic light system), with the written word supported by the use of symbols and pictures as appropriate. These rules are referred to frequently by staff to reinforce good behaviour and discourage inappropriate behaviour.
The use of physical punishment by staff is absolutely forbidden and is illegal.
Staff regularly share any concerns about pupils’ behaviour because this is the best way of developing a consistent approach for individual pupils and monitoring its effectiveness. Their main vehicle for sharing concerns is the weekly class team meeting. At the meeting a strategy can be decided on the way forward with that particular pupil. At a follow up meeting the success of the strategies are evaluated and changes made as appropriate. If a problem behaviour is persistent it may be necessary to consider whether a formal behaviour management plan is required. If given enough notice, a member of the senior leadership team will join the class team to participate in the discussion. The class teacher will also share any concerns with parents.
The class team may want the necessary information about effective strategies to be understood by all adults who may work with the pupil. When a pupil presents behaviour which is a serious cause for concern, either because of its frequency or severity, an individual behaviour plan (IBP) is required. The contents of the IBP is made available to all staff. The pupil’s parents are given every opportunity to become involved in the formulation of the IBP and will have much useful information to contribute.
Staff are instructed to use restrictive physical interventions only as a last resort and as part of an agreed behaviour plan. They receive regular practical training by accredited instructors on safe methods to minimise the risk of harm either to themselves or the pupil.
Communication with parents and carers is essential when a pupil’s behaviour requires consistent management. The standard home/school book is not the best medium to raise concerns or report incidents. Staff will try to communicate by telephone or sealed letter.
If a pupil has been injured by another pupil, the parent of the injured pupil should receive a full explanation of the injury although the perpetrator's name is not normally given. Explanation of injuries are usually best given by phone or in a sealed letter. The parents of the child causing the injury should also be informed.
Staff are expected to seek the guidance of a First Aider when treating any injuries and make written reports of the accident. An incident form is also completed when somebody sustains an injury, when significant property is damaged, when a lesson is seriously disrupted and when a restrictive physical intervention has to be used.
By completing these forms diligently whenever the behaviours occur it is possible to monitor the effectiveness of behaviour management strategies and to provide data to parents, other professionals and the governing body on the severity and frequency of behaviours.
Completed Incident Forms are handed to the Child Protection Co-ordinator for analysis and safekeeping.
The School has a very positive approach to maintaining good behaviour among all the pupils. Our ‘Behaviour and Discipline Policy’ details the strategies that staff are expected to follow. Although the emphasis is always on the positive there are also times when children have to be disciplined in order to maintain the safety and security of all children.
The use of visual timetables and the establishment of meaningful and clear routines helps pupils to feel secure. Clear and consistent rules about acceptable behaviour are essential and only appropriate and meaningful rewards and sanctions should be used. Above all staff and volunteers are expected to act as role models for desirable behaviour.
Each classroom (except for the youngest children) displays a set of rules (traffic light system), with the written word supported by the use of symbols and pictures as appropriate. These rules are referred to frequently by staff to reinforce good behaviour and discourage inappropriate behaviour.
The use of physical punishment by staff is absolutely forbidden and is illegal.
Staff regularly share any concerns about pupils’ behaviour because this is the best way of developing a consistent approach for individual pupils and monitoring its effectiveness. Their main vehicle for sharing concerns is the weekly class team meeting. At the meeting a strategy can be decided on the way forward with that particular pupil. At a follow up meeting the success of the strategies are evaluated and changes made as appropriate. If a problem behaviour is persistent it may be necessary to consider whether a formal behaviour management plan is required. If given enough notice, a member of the senior leadership team will join the class team to participate in the discussion. The class teacher will also share any concerns with parents.
The class team may want the necessary information about effective strategies to be understood by all adults who may work with the pupil. When a pupil presents behaviour which is a serious cause for concern, either because of its frequency or severity, an individual behaviour plan (IBP) is required. The contents of the IBP is made available to all staff. The pupil’s parents are given every opportunity to become involved in the formulation of the IBP and will have much useful information to contribute.
Staff are instructed to use restrictive physical interventions only as a last resort and as part of an agreed behaviour plan. They receive regular practical training by accredited instructors on safe methods to minimise the risk of harm either to themselves or the pupil.
Communication with parents and carers is essential when a pupil’s behaviour requires consistent management. The standard home/school book is not the best medium to raise concerns or report incidents. Staff will try to communicate by telephone or sealed letter.
If a pupil has been injured by another pupil, the parent of the injured pupil should receive a full explanation of the injury although the perpetrator's name is not normally given. Explanation of injuries are usually best given by phone or in a sealed letter. The parents of the child causing the injury should also be informed.
Staff are expected to seek the guidance of a First Aider when treating any injuries and make written reports of the accident. An incident form is also completed when somebody sustains an injury, when significant property is damaged, when a lesson is seriously disrupted and when a restrictive physical intervention has to be used.
By completing these forms diligently whenever the behaviours occur it is possible to monitor the effectiveness of behaviour management strategies and to provide data to parents, other professionals and the governing body on the severity and frequency of behaviours.
Completed Incident Forms are handed to the Child Protection Co-ordinator for analysis and safekeeping.
There is more information which you can download and read free of charge;
| behaviour_policy.dec_2021.docx |
| restrictive_physical_interventions.doc |
| behaviour_of_staff.doc |
| traffic_light_system.doc |
| use_of_rewards.doc |
