Behaviour Management
CHELMER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT POLICY
Chelmer Valley School believes that in order to fulfil the school aims all members of its community must be involved in the development and implementation of policies relating to keeping a disciplined, ordered, secure and happy learning environment. Managing behaviour is how we enable students to meet the school expectations which enables the school aims to be fulfilled.
A. Expectations of the School
The school works hard to ensure consistent standards of expectations are applied at all times. Our expectations of students are clearly explained in
- a) The School Code of Conduct
- b) Attitude and Behaviour Matter
a) Code of Conduct
Our expectations of pupils in lessons, around the school and travelling to and from school have been outlined in the School Code of Conduct. All students and parents are supplied with this code on entry to the school; all students are expected to abide by it. The Code of Conduct was developed on a whole school basis, has been discussed with staff, students and Governors and has been approved.
b) Attitude and Behaviour Matter
These five statements support the School Code of Conduct by being more specific as to what our expectations are in the classroom situation. They have been discussed with students, appear in their planners and are posted in every classroom.
B. School Procedures when expectations are not met.
When expectations are not met we use the term inappropriate behaviour to describe such situations. The school works hard to ensure that its response to inappropriate behaviour is consistent and in proportion to the level of seriousness. Sanctions will almost certainly be applied when inappropriate behaviour is observed.
Minor sanctions may be applied if your child:
does not produce an acceptable standard of work
forgets to bring essential equipment
occasionally exhibits inappropriate behaviour which is not too serious
The main sanction for these infringements is a detention at break or lunchtime. This should be recorded in your child’s planner.
More severe sanctions will be applied if your child persists in producing:
- unacceptable work,
- forgetting essential equipment,
- exhibiting inappropriate behaviour of a not too serious nature.
The most common of these sanctions is the after school detention. The details will be written in your child’s planner so you have prior warning. Your child should bring this to your attention so you can sign, acknowledging you have seen it. You should also receive a letter of confirmation at least 24 hours before the detention takes place. If there is a special problem you will need to contact the teacher concerned. No exceptions are made, even if the child travels by bus. Parents will need to make alternative travel arrangements on that day. We understand that this may inconvenience you but such sanctions are effective in modifying pupils’ attitude and behaviour.
You may be aware that schools have legal backing to detain students after a school session on disciplinary grounds – without the consent of the parent. However, as always, we will continue to work with parents and hope the change in the law (Education Act 1997) does not bring us into conflict.
You chose to send your child to Chelmer Valley and we trust you therefore support the school in its policies and practices.
In addition to after school detention your child may be put on
Departmental Report and/or
Head of Year Report
Your child will show you these for you to comment on and sign.
Major Sanctions include:
- internal exclusions
- community work
- senior detention
- fixed term exclusions
We hope your child will not have these sanctions imposed on them as they are applied for inappropriate behaviour of a serious nature. In most cases these come as no surprise as minor sanctions will have been applied earlier and you will be aware that things are not going well. However, sometimes unexpected incidents occur which warrant major sanctions. You will always be contacted and may be asked to visit the school to discuss your child with us.
You may be aware that Headteachers may exclude a student (fixed term exclusion) for up to 45 school days (9 school weeks) in a school year.
Permanent Exclusion is a last resort for all schools and all steps are taken to avoid this. Nevertheless, if your child continuously behaves in such a way as to seriously affect the working environment of the school then the school has no alternative.
The use of force to control or restrain a student.
Rarely do teachers at Chelmer Valley School have to intervene physically to reinstate control or restrain a student. Parents need to be aware that the law allows all adults authorised by the Headteacher to have control of students to use such force as is reasonable to prevent a student:
i) committing a criminal offence
ii) injuring themselves or others
iii) causing damage to property
iv) engaging in any behaviour prejudicial to maintaining good order and discipline
The law regarding the use of force by teachers and others was clarified in the Education Act 1997 and came into force on 1st September 1998. We would like to reassure students and parents that all staff at Chelmer Valley School will continue to act professionally and with integrity.
A quick guide to sanctions
Type of inappropriate behaviour
Level 1 example: Not adhering to expectation in Attitude and Behaviour Matter or Code of Conduct
Examples of strategies or sanctions
Break/lunch detentions
Verbal reprimand
Counselling
Level 2 example: Persistently not adhering to Attitude and Behaviour Matter and Code of Conduct
Examples of strategies or sanctions
After school detention
On Report to Head of Year
Meeting with parents
Level 3 examples: Very obscene language/verbal aggression/ physical violence/refusal to follow instructions/ failure to accept sanctions for level 1 and level 2 offences
Examples of strategies or sanctions
Physical violence and obscene language will not be tolerated for any reason and fixed term exclusions are generally used
Senior Detention
Community work
Level 4 examples: Continuous physical bullying/assaulting a member of staff/behaviour which affects the health and safety of other students
Examples of strategies or sanctions
Fixed term exclusion
Permanent exclusion
Parents must realise that these are only examples and each case is considered carefully and investigated thoroughly before a decision to apply a major sanction is made. There has to be a working relationship between the school and home. Parents who fail to support the school in its policies and practices create confusion for their child and put themselves in a position where they may have to review their choice of school for their child.
C. Rewarding when expectations are met or exceeded.
Generally speaking schools are some of the most ordered and disciplined institutions we have and this is because most students are responsible and show good self-discipline. The school believes all students have to be given responsibility and trusted to respond in a positive way. Chelmer Valley students are exceptional in the way they respond to being given responsibility. The school is often congratulated on student behaviour, especially on trips and educational visits. Where student behaviour needs to be modified the school believes that sanctions alone will not always be successful. Some students need to realise that there are advantages to behaving well until it becomes part of their normal behaviour as they mature. The school has several reward systems, some of which are used to recognise students that have met or exceeded our expectations. Chelmer Valley was the first secondary school in Essex to be awarded the Essex School Award for “valuing the school community”, an award which reflects the general behaviour of our students in and around the school.
Credits
Credits are given for either
- exceptional effort or attainment
- service to the school
- demonstrating helpful, courteous or considerate behaviour
These are recorded in the back of the student’s planner. An accumulation of five credits for different things results in a Head of Year Commendation; 25 credits results in a bronze badge; 50 credits results in a silver badge; and 100 credits results in a gold badge.
Two Head of Year Commendations results in a Headteacher’s Award. The Headteacher’s Awards are presented personally by the Headteacher at a special ceremony.
Privilege Passes
• Privilege passes are given as a general reward in exceptional circumstances. They can be used in the canteen or be exchanged for Chelmer Valley pens.
Year Prizes
• Year prizes are awarded for outstanding attainment, endeavour, or special service to the school at the prestigious Awards Evening.
Attendance/Punctuality Awards
• Separate awards exist for outstanding attendance or punctuality.
D. Related links
• Anti bullying Statement
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Substance Misuse Policy
• Home School Agreement
This policy has been approved by the Governing Body of the School and will be reviewed annually.
