Longniddry Primary School
Positive Behaviour Policy
May 2007
‘Good manners will open doors that the best education will not’ – Clarence Thomas 1948
Key Principles based upon our Rights Respecting School status:
* Everyone has the right
- to feel safe, healthy and happy
- to be treated with respect, dignity and equality
- to learn or to teach, or to do their job
We aim to create an atmosphere that allows us to teach and our children to learn. It is important that our pupils see that positive behaviour will be rewarded and that negative behaviour is unacceptable. Parents are expected to discuss the policy with their children and sign the agreement at the start of each session.
Class teachers will arrive at the own class rules through discussion with the children during the first week of term, these will adhere closely to the whole school ‘Golden Rules’ which are used in the playground and dining room.
Do be gentle
Do be kind and helpful
Do listen
Do look after property
Do be honest
Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
Lunchtime Rules
We line up quietly
We walk in the dining hall
We finish what we are eating before we speak
We remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’
We put our rubbish away
We put our hand up to ask to leave the hall
We talk quietly to the people next to us.
Positive Behaviour System
The school operates ‘Golden Time’, a positive incentive and sanctions system which draws on the principle that the most effective sanction is the withdrawal of a privilege (Elton 1989)
Golden Time is a timetabled slot of at least half an hour each week where children are able to embark on an activity of their choice. If the child keeps the Golden Rules all week, they automatically have the right to take part in their chosen activity.
Positive behaviour is also rewarded in our school in the following ways:
Verbal praise
Stickers
Certificates
Yellow Playground Awards – and a House point
Postcard Home
Sharing Assembly Activities
Visit to Depute Headteacher and Headteacher
Each term those that have not lost of Golden Time will receive a special certificate at a Sharing Assembly
There will be a reward at the end of the school year for those pupils who have not lost Golden Time throughout the year
Procedures for unacceptable behaviour:
* Verbal warning to child for behaviour
* Red Warning Card for next unacceptable behaviour activity
* 5 minute loss of Golden Time – if repeated
* Up to 15 minutes loss of Golden Time in one day
* Pupils in LPS can earn Golden Time back during the week at the
discretion of the teacher
Should a pupil’s behaviour be more serious or persistent then alternative sanctions might include:
Visit to member of management team
Phone call to parents
Letter to parents (see sample)
Children requiring ‘time out’ from a classroom/activity should be sent to either a non-teaching member of staff (classroom assistant) in the first instance, or a member of the management team.
Playground Behaviour
In the playground the golden rules are adhered to. The supervisors can also give out ‘Yellow Cards’ for good behaviour or helping others, these also gain a point for the pupil’s house.
A ‘Red Card’ is a punishment for unacceptable behaviour and choosing not to follow the golden rules. 5 points are lost for the pupil’s house.
Appendices -
- Sample letter – misbehaviour at school
- Sample letter – behaviour agreement
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Appendix 1 – misbehaviour at school Sample Letter
Dear
…………………………………………….. behaviour was unacceptable this week on …………. occasions. Such behaviour impedes his/her progress and that of his/her class.
As a result of this your child has missed ……….. minutes of Golden Time.
We would ask you to discuss this behaviour with your child.
Should this behaviour continue we would like to invite you in to discuss the situation.
_________________________________________________________________
Appendix 2 – Behaviour Agreement Sample Letter
Dear Parents
I am pleased to have your child in my class this year. As part of our first week of activities in school we have discussed and reviewed our school, playground and classroom behaviours, and drawn up rules to promote positive behaviour.
As you will see we have placed the emphasis on recognition for appropriate behaviour. It is important that pupils know the consequences of unacceptable behaviour.
By working together we can ensure that your child has a happy and productive year. Your support in this aspect of school life is greatly appreciated.
Please read and discuss these rules and sanctions with your child and return the slip.
Yours sincerely
Class teacher
Classroom Rules
Do be gentle
Do be kind and helpful
Do listen
Do look after property
Do be honest
Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
(* Add any rules specific to your class)
Consequences
Warning and red card
Loss of Golden Time
Letter/Phone call home
Discussion with class teacher
I have read and discussed the behaviour plan with my child
Pupil’s signature …………………………………………………………………………………….
Parent’s signature ……………………………………………………………………………….
Comments …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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