Behaviour for Learning

Our Expectations of Behaviour

William Byrd Primary Academy strives to provide an exceptional, safe and inspirational environment where children are able to achieve their full potential in all aspects of their learning underpinned by high expectations for all. We expect our children to be polite and courteous, showing consideration and respect for others.

We will achieve this by creating a learning environment which is stimulating and challenging, inclusive and enjoyable. William Byrd is a wonderfully diverse school and we promote a sense of belonging to our school and local community; encouraging a shared sense of responsibility from everyone for making William Byrd a happy and safe place to learn.

The purpose of our behaviour policy is to:

Provide an environment in which children feel safe, secure and respected
Promote good behaviours for learning
Enable children to develop a sense of self-worth and respect and tolerance for others
Develop a moral framework in order to promote responsibility and acceptance of all people
To establish and maintain consistent approaches to behaviour management across the school
To encourage increasing independence and self-discipline so that each child learns to accept responsibility for their own behaviour

At William Byrd we strongly believe in the power of giving children choices and consequences and allowing children time to make the right choice. Through consistent delivery of appropriate consequences, children are encouraged to make positive choices which benefit their learning. If a child makes a poor choice in class, then staff are expected to follow the Behaviour For Learning Flow Chart (see behaviour policy).

Core Values

Our Five core values or ‘Guiding Powers’ underpin every aspect of our work at William Byrd and set out our expectations of children’s behaviours for learning:

We are kind and respectful
We are curious and ready to learn
We are resilient and learn from our mistakes
We cooperate and work together
We aspire to be the best we can be

Children are expected to demonstrate excellent learning behaviours and take on responsibility for both following our guiding powers and for their own choices. If behaviour does not meet expectations, appropriate and commensurate consequences will be given. William Byrd is an inclusive school and we understand that certain children will need extra support when it comes to behaviour. In these instances, adjustments will be made to ensure that children with SEND feel safe and supported, while we help them to take responsibility for their actions.

Praise and Reward

We believe the most effective way of achieving our aims is through highlighting those behaviours we expect and using positive praise and encouragement to ensure children make good choices.

The 5 Guiding Powers are displayed in every classroom and around the school. Each classroom has behaviour charts (choices and consequences charts) which have been adapted for our younger children in the early years.

We aim to promote good behaviour through a stimulating, engaging and motivating curriculum that makes children want to learn and do well.

Good behaviour is celebrated through the use of verbal praise, stickers, certificates and achievement assemblies. From class to class the organisation may vary as class teachers are encouraged to develop independent learning and reward structures.

Parents/carers will be informed if their child has behaved in a significantly positive manner either in relation to their learning or social interactions – reaching ‘superstar’ on the behaviour chart.

Consequences

Parents/carers will be informed if their child has received a consequence in response to poor classroom behaviour.

If a serious problem occurs with regard to behaviour, the pastoral manager or member of the senior leadership team will be informed.

Persistent misbehaviour and poor behaviour choices may be dealt with in the following ways:

A school report card may be implemented in agreement with parents to produce a programme to encourage improvements in behaviour
Support from outside agencies may be sought, such as an educational psychologist
In those cases where persistently poor behaviour choices have not improved through support, the head of school may impose a fixed-term exclusion (refer to full behaviour policy)

Learning and Teaching

There is a very strong relationship between behaviour and learning, children learn better in an ordered and positive environment. Equally, children who are stimulated and engaged in their learning through high quality, effective teaching, and children who have their progress and achievements recognised will feel valued and motivated to achieve more.

In class activities, including PSHRE and circle time, and through smaller group work where appropriate, we teach children:

Responsible behaviour and that their feelings and reactions can be affected by what is happening within and around individuals
Relationships with others and that friendships, caring and respect for self and others are important in maintaining positive relationships
Responsible citizenship, including opportunities to discuss issues and views and influence positive change in the school

Social and Emotional Learning

“Social & emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children learn to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”

^{Weissberg et al, 2015}

To support children to develop their social and emotional literacy, we have trained adults in school who can help children understand and manage their emotions to improve behaviour.

For further information, please see our full behaviour policy.