Promotion of Good Behaviour/Discipline Policy

Whilst the children’s behaviour and attitudes are good it is important to recognise the need to reflect on how adults and children maintain our thoughtful, caring school community.

As promoting good behaviour permeates all that we do, this document is not a stand alone document and should be read in conjunction with others, including Learning and Teaching.

At Iveagh Primary School the children behave in a kind and thoughtful manner to each other.  We try to ensure positive behaviour in a variety of ways:-

• Establishing a happy environment for children to learn and staff to teach.  Children’s confidence and self-esteem are actively promoted.
• A sense of belonging to a school community is encouraged.
• By stating that good behaviour on the way to and from school is necessary as pupils are encouraged to see themselves as ‘ambassadors’ of the school.
• Older children have a chance to promote our care of the environment by serving on the ECO Committee.
• All children are involved in writing and reviewing  the school rules
• Older children are encouraged to be thoughtful towards and assist the younger children
• Children regularly take part in P.D.M.U. lessons and Circle Time sessions, promoting positive attitudes such as taking turns, sharing and accepting others’ views and differences.
• Monthly Certificate Assemblies promote and reward good behaviour. 
• The school attempts to develop effective links with parents and encourages parents to ask if they have any queries about their child education and happiness.
• Within the parameters of the NI Curriculum, class work is varied and interesting.  Activities are differentiated so that children can work at levels appropriate to their abilities.
• Reasonable sanctions are applied as fairly and as consistently as possible when good behaviour is not demonstrated.

AIMS

To develop in pupils a sense of self-discipline and an acceptance of responsibility of their own actions.

To create the conditions for an orderly community in which,

(i)  effective learning can take place

(ii)  there is mutual respect among all members,

(iii) there is proper concern for the environment as befits the first Primary School in Northern Ireland to achieve permanent ECO status

Such aims are best achieved in the framework of a relaxed pleasant atmosphere, in which pupils are able to give of their best, both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities and are encouraged and stimulated to fulfil their potential.  This, in turn, demands a positive policy of encouraging good attitudes, reward and praise and setting a good example.

The following school rules were written by the children of Iveagh Primary School.

1. Work:           Listen well

                              Hands up

                              Try hard

                              Come prepared

                              Best work.

2. Others:         Be friendly

                              Always share

                              Join in

                              Good manners

                              Be helpful.

3. Safety:           Walk indoors

                               Line up

                               Play safely

                               Be fair

                               Keep tidy.

Whilst some of the rules are general in nature, they act as very clear guidance as to which individual acts/behaviour would be unacceptable.

People visiting the school or school grounds must conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with these general rules.  The school reserves the right to exclude individuals from the grounds, particularly if their actions were putting others at risk or were in danger of harming others.

A RANGE OF SANCTIONS IF THINGS GO WRONG

There is no attempt to put these into a precise order but they generally move from the less serious to more serious sanctions.

•  Explanation of why a behaviour is wrong
•  Immediate checking of misbehaviour, including verbal and non-verbal individual and, possibly public, indications of disapproval.
• A minor penalty, where possible, relevant to the offence.
• Repeated or extra work where the presentation or content of work is clearly below the pupil’s potential.
• Temporary loss of privileges, such as membership of clubs, the right to go on visits and membership of school teams (Teachers will try not to withdraw the same privilege repeatedly).
• Referral to Vice-Principal or Principal.
• Restitution, repair of wilful damage and/or payment for it.
• Parental consultation.  This should come at an early stage of continuing misbehaviour and has the triple advantage of being a sanction, of throwing more light on the problem behind the misbehaviour and of providing joint/consistent action between school and home, thus preventing the pupil from playing one off against the other.
• Kept in at teacher’s/Principal’s discretion (at break time or lunch play time; but not both or after school).
• Transfer to a unit for pupils with behavioural problems.
• Suspension – as per E.S.A. Guidelines.
• Expulsion – as per E.S.A. Guidelines.

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP

• Communicate any problems (no matter how small) with the school
• Remind children about good manners towards adults and other children in the school
• Send children in school uniform.
• Teach children to respect property.
• Encourage children to see the need to help in the home.
• Do not allow the use of bad language and set a positive example in this respect.
• Attend individual parent/teacher meetings.
• Check and sign homework.
• Teach children the importance of honesty both in speech and action.
• Do not accept angry or aggressive speech.
• Encourage children to respect both the environment and other people’s property.

 The children of Iveagh Primary School have been commended by the Department of Education for their good behaviour and the pride they take in their work.

It remains important that parents and staff communicate to each other any concerns so that our children can work successfully in a happy, relaxed learning environment.