Positive learning and behaviour
At Harold Court Primary School we believe that:
- “Before all else people should find in our School an atmosphere of sincere respect and friendship”
- Personal relationship is always a dialogue rather than monologue. We try to give serious consideration to the relationships and system of communications, which exist between all members of staff at every level.
- The visible signs of care, concern, respect for all who make up the school community, are displayed.
- Problems should be discussed and conflict avoided.
Harold Court Primary School has a mission statement, which is reflected in all aspects of school life:
‘Be the best you can be!’
It is a brief mission statement so that every child in the school can learn it.
More specifically we aim:
- To grow and develop into confident and independent young people with positive reinforcement together from home and school
- To provide an excellent, balanced and broadly based curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical growth of our children
- To teach children care and respect for one another
- To ‘catch one another being good’
We hope that through our work, all of us associated with the school can be filled with wisdom. Whatever stage we are at in our journey we should be ready to learn and to share our wisdom with others.
Our Approach - The Harold Court Way.
The school behaviour policy is designed to support the way in which all members of the school can live and work together in a supportive way. It aims to promote an environment where everyone feels happy, safe and secure.
School Parliament has decided upon a guide to maintain these school principles.
The Harold Court Way;
- Have a positive attitude
- Aim for my targets
- Always do my best
- Be a good team member
- Welcome each other in a polite and positive way including visitors
- Be organised
- Be responsible
- Present my work neatly
- Look after the school environment
- Be helpful and polite always
- Respect other people
- Be enthusiastic
- Listen to what other people have to say
- Be prepared for challenges
- Be honest
- Encourage people
- Make the playground a happy place for everyone
The Harold Court Way is displayed in every classroom in the school. The rationale of the behaviour policy is not a system to enforce rules but a means of promoting good relationships, so that people can work together with the common purpose of helping everyone to learn.
It is essential that everyone shows respect for one another in order that the work of the school may progress.
Teachers have the right to teach
Pupils have the right to learn
We see good behaviour as a means of ensuring all members of the school community feel safe and happy and we take a positive approach to supporting children in developing good behaviour and attitudes. We teach our children about their rights and their responsibilities. We expect appropriate behaviour in class, the play-ground, at school functions and in the community at large. Children are made aware that disruptive and anti-social behaviour towards other children or adults is not tolerated and this includes all forms of bullying, swearing and discriminatory remarks.
If children misbehave, consequences may include loss of privileges and, as far as possible, providing the child with the opportunity to put right the wrong that has been done. We will always try to work in partnership with parents and where necessary other agencies to support children who may be experiencing difficulties. In our classrooms we all have a 'stay on gold' chart where every child has a name card and at the start of each session our names start on gold. If children make good choices about their behaviour they stay on gold - for exemplary behaviours they may go up to the 'crown'.
If children make unsuitable choices they will move down from gold to silver or if the circumstances warrant it to bronze. We actively seek to get to the bottom of a 'wrong choice' and as a school we believe in restorative justice - and children are sent to this group of a lunchtime by staff if we as staff feel there is a need.
Restorative practice is a tool enabling us as staff to create a harmonious learning environment where pupils are able to self-regulate their own behaviour and learning. Restorative approaches have been found very effective in improving behaviour and learning in both a primary and secondary setting where implemented as a whole school approach.
Restorative approaches are based on four key features:
- RESPECT: for everyone by listening to other opinions and learning to value them
- RESPONSIBILITY: taking responsibility for your own actions
- REPAIR: developing the skills within our school community so that its individual members have the necessary skills to identify solutions that repair harm and ensure behaviours are not repeated
- RE-INTEGRATION: working through a structured, supportive process that aims to solve the problem and allows young people to remain in mainstream education.
Our stay on Gold requirements and consequences are simple and clear for everyone to follow - consistency is key.
We also have a lunchtime STAY ON GOLD system.
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