Behaviour Principles at Horrington Primary School

• The Behaviour Policy is based on clarity and consistency. 

• The IEB/ Governors believe that it is important for all staff to have high expectations for behaviour at school. 

• School expectations, rewards and consequences (sanctions) will be set out and displayed clearly for staff, pupils and parents to understand. 

• Children who make the wrong choice should have the opportunity to make amends and have a fresh start. 

• Children need to be taught that they should respect the rights of all members of our school community and are responsible to care for each other and the environment. 

• School rules are to be applied consistently during every time of the school day and in every area in the school, including visits off-site and clubs. 

• Positive behaviour should be embedded in the ethos of the school and children should recognise that they each have an important part to play in the school and wider community. 

• Good behaviour and effort are recognised and rewarded in a variety of ways which motivate the children and is age-appropriate. 

• The school should ensure that children who need additional support to regulate their emotions/manage their own behaviour will have an Individual Behaviour Plan that meets their specific needs.

• School staff should ensure appropriate additional support for individual children. This might include personalised timetables/routines, access to ELSA support and/or specialist interventions or therapy. 

• Pupils who do not conform to our School rules are treated firmly, fairly and promptly. Consequences should be proportionate and reasonable in the context of the incident – considering SEND, disability and the needs of vulnerable children - and might vary because of this. 

• High-level negative behaviour should be dealt with decisively by the Senior Leadership Team who will discuss the matter with parents. 

• All adults in school are responsible for maintaining high expectations and for managing pupil behaviour. As such, all adults are expected to model positive behaviour such as good manners. 

• Governors/IEB recognise that transition points (e.g. between classes and educational settings) can be challenging for children with behavioural difficulties and expect additional measures to be put in place to ensure smooth transitions. 

• The Governors/IEB strongly feel that the school should have a zero-tolerance attitude to bullying (including prejudicial bullying and cyber-bullying) and have a robust procedure to follow in these circumstances.

• The Behaviour Policy should outline that the safety of the children and staff is paramount in all situations, and that staff should respond to all incidents with this in mind. 

• The Governors/IEB believe that parental involvement and support is crucial to reinforce the school Behaviour Policy and would expect both staff and parents to have a pro-active approach to address negative behaviour. 

 • Governors/IEB also want it clearly outlined that they will not tolerate verbal abuse, threats of violence or actual violence towards staff from parents/carers, as explained in the school Parent Code of Conduct. 

• The Governing Body/IEB recognises that the Headteacher has a statutory power to search pupils or their possessions without consent and will ensure that the headteacher adheres to the latest DfE guidance regarding this.