The Cedars School promotes a high standard of behaviour and an ethos where all members of the school are valued as individuals. The school believes in the development of self-esteem, respect for others and self discipline.

At The Cedars great emphasis is placed on positive reinforcement of behaviour through praise. Children’s confidence and self-esteem are developed through encouragement, incentives and rewards, both verbal and written.

This policy sets out the expectations of behaviour where staff, pupils parents seek to create an environment which encourages and reinforces positive behaviour and the fostering of positive attitudes. In addition, it sets out the consequences for misbehaviour, should it arise.

This policy should be read in conjunction with The Cedars School Anti-Bullying Policy.

Aims

• To foster an environment in which everyone feels safe and secure.
• It is a primary aim of our school that every member of the school community feels valued and respected, and that each person is treated fairly and well.
• To create an environment where good behaviour is encouraged and reinforced.
• To define acceptable standards of behaviour.
• To encourage consistency of response to both positive and unacceptable behaviour.
• To promote self-esteem, self discipline and positive relationships.
• To ensure that the school’s expectations and strategies are widely known and understood.
• That every member of the school’s community behaves in a considerate way towards others.

School Ethos

The Cedars School believes that all children, regardless of race, gender, religion, ability and disability have the right to learn in a caring, nurturing and supportive environment.

As a school we fully embrace the Every Child Matters Agenda (2004) and have high regard for our children’s spiritual, moral, emotional and psychological well-being. We endeavour to provide a caring and creative learning environment. We promote the right for children to speak out and seek help in all aspects of their well-being.

We foster an environment in which everyone feels safe, secure and respected, so that we can all achieve our aspirations

How Will We Achieve Our Aims?

• Praise and reward is the key to creating a positive atmosphere where children have the opportunity to succeed.
• A set of school rules
• A praise and reward system
• Adult example
• Personal, Health and Social Education
• SEAL (Social and Emotional Learning)

The Curriculum And Learning

We believe that an appropriately structured curriculum and effective learning contribute to good behaviour. Thorough planning for the needs of individual pupils, the active involvement of children in their own learning, and structured feed-back all help to avoid the alienation and disaffection which can lie at the root of poor behaviour.

It follows that lessons should have clear objectives, understood by the children, and differentiated to meet the needs of children of different abilities. Marking and record keeping can be used both as a supportive activity, providing feed-back to children on their progress and achievements, and as an indicator that the children’s efforts are valued and that progress matters.

Classroom Management

Classroom management and teaching methods have an important influence on children’s behaviour. The classroom environment gives clear messages to the children about the extent to which they and their efforts are valued. Relationships between adults and children, strategies for encouraging good behaviour, arrangements of furniture, access to resources and classroom displays all have a bearing on the way children behave.

Classrooms should be organised to develop independence and personal initiative. Furniture should be arranged to provide an environment conducive to on-task behaviour. Materials and resources should be arranged to aid accessibility and reduce uncertainty and disruption.

Displays should help develop self-esteem through demonstrating the value of every individual’s contribution and overall the classroom should provide a welcoming environment.

Teaching methods should encourage enthusiasm and active participation for all. Lessons should aim to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding which will enable the children to work and play in co-operation with others.

Praise should be used to encourage good behaviour as well as good work. Circumstances should be handled sensitively and dealt with in a way appropriate to the situation.

Rewards

The best and most successful approach to creating a positive ethos is to treat children positively, by praising them, offering them encouragement and acknowledging their achievements.

We will ensure children know that their effort and achievement is recognised and valued by means of a range of possibilities:-

• House Team points
• Stickers
• Certificates
• “Child of the Week” awards
• Praise of good and improved behaviour
• Praise of good and improved work

All classes will have the rewards displayed in the classroom so that all may refer to them. As well as acknowledging and celebrating the individual efforts and successes, pupils are encouraged to work collaboratively as a team and gain points for their house teams. Winning teams are celebrated in a weekly, whole school assembly.

Consequences

When we discuss inappropriate behaviour, we will encourage children to consider alternative choices they could have made which would have resulted in a more positive outcome. Consequences of inappropriate behaviour may be:-

• “Time out” of the class or in another class
• The child will be asked to think about what he/she has done wrong and what other choices could have been made.
• Loss of privileges (eg: missing a playtime)
• Work may be finished at a playtime under supervision
• The child may be sent to the Head Teacher

Please remember that we will always try to be fair.
If there is a problem the children involved will have the opportunity to offer an explanation.

Our Rewards

• A sign to show you are doing well.
• You may be praised
• You may get a sticker
• You may earn points for your House Team.
• You may get acknowledgement in a celebration assembly
• You may be given the opportunity to share good work with another class or adult.
• Your parents may be informed of good work.

Our Consequences

• You may be spoken to and reminded about how you are expected to behave.
• You may be asked to identify what is unacceptable about your behaviour.
• You may be given time to reflect upon your behaviour.
• Your reflection may be shared with your parents at the end of the school day.
• You may be sent to another class for “time out” to reflect upon your behaviour.
• A detention may be given and your parents informed.
• You may go to the Head Teacher and your parents informed.

Staff will:-

• Provide a consistent approach across the whole school
• Model appropriate behaviour.
• Promote honesty and courtesy by example.
• Provide a caring and effective learning environment.
• Encourage relationships based on kindness, respect and understanding of the needs of others.
• Show appreciation of every effort and contribution of all within the school.
• Ensure fair treatment of all, regardless of age, gender, race, ability and disability.
• Follow the agreed behaviour policy and support each other in doing so.

Children will:-

• Treat others as they would like to be treated.
• Respect others, regardless of age, gender, race, ability and disability.
• Accept responsibility for their own choices.
• Follow the agreed behaviour expectations.
• Line up silently for assembly, lessons etc.
• Always walk around the school.
• Stop to let an adult pass through the doorways, corridors and on the stairs.
• Take care of their personal appearance throughout the school day.
• Work collectively within their team.

Parents will be asked to:-

• Support the school so children receive consistent messages about how to behave at home and school.
• Support and encourage their child’s learning.
• Inform the class teacher should any concerns arise about behaviour.
• Ensure that children have their correct uniform and resources in school.

The Head Teacher will:-

• Implement the school behaviour policy consistently throughout the school
• Ensure the health, safety and welfare of all children in the school.
• Celebrate examples of exemplary behaviour with the whole school.
• Support the staff in implementing the behaviour polity.
• Keep records of all reports of incidents of serious misconduct, with action taken.
• Deal with serious unacceptable behaviour.

Summary

• We will always respect everyone and celebrate out differences.
• We will always look after each other and try to be honest and show care by solving disagreements peacefully.
• We will always use our best manners and be helpful to everyone.
• We will always listen carefully to each other and try our very best in all we do.
• We will always move around the school quietly and safely.
• We will always take care of our school property and belongings.
• We will show respect for ourselves and our school by wearing our uniform with pride.