The Department for Education requires governing bodies of maintained schools to publish a statement of behaviour principles for their school. The Governing Body therefore has a duty to produce, and review, a written statement of general principles to guide the Executive Headteacher in determining measures to promote good behaviour and discipline amongst pupils. The document ‘Behaviour and Discipline in Schools – Guidance for Governing Bodies’ (DFE – July 2013) has been used as a reference in producing this Statement of Behaviour Principles.
This is a statement of principles, not practice. Practical applications of these principles are the responsibility of the Executive Headteacher and the Head of Primary School and are set out in a range of school policies including the Behaviour Policies.
The Governors believe that high standards of behaviour lie at the heart of a successful school. Good behaviour enables pupils to make the best possible progress in all aspects of their school life. At our schools, we value everyone as an individual, capable of growth, change and development. Our relationships are underpinned by our co-operative values of inclusion, tolerance, personal responsibility, integrity, equality and pride.
We have high expectations that support the development of our pupils as responsible citizens, able to participate democratically in their community. The purpose of this statement is to give guidance to the Executive Headteacher and the Head of Primary School in drawing up the Behaviour Policies by stating the principles that the Governors expect to be followed. The Governors expect any policy or actions to be in accordance with their responsibility under Equality legislation.
Principles:

  1. All pupils, staff and visitors have the right to feel safe at all times at school.
  2. Our schools are inclusive. All members of the schools’ communities should be free from discrimination of any sort. Measures to protect pupils should be set out in the Behaviour and Equality policies.
  3. All policies should be underpinned by our ethical values of openness, honesty, social responsibility and caring for others.
  4. School rules should be clearly set out in the Behaviour Policies and displayed around school. Governors expect these rules to be consistently applied by all staff.
  5. Governors would like to see a wide range of rewards, consistently and fairly applied in such a way as to encourage and reward good behaviour around school.
  6. Sanctions for unacceptable/poor behaviour should be known and understood by all staff and pupils and consistently applied. We recognise that the use of rewards and sanctions must have regard to the individual situation and the individual pupil and that school staff will use their discretion in their use. Sanctions should however be applied fairly, consistently, proportionally and reasonably, taking into account SEND, disability and the needs of vulnerable pupils, and offering support as necessary.
  7. The Governors expect pupils and parents to cooperate to maintain an orderly climate for learning.
  8. The Governors wish to emphasise that violence, threatening behaviour or abuse by pupils or parents towards staff will not be tolerated.
  9. The Governors expect the Executive Headteacher and Head of Primary School to include guidance on the use of reasonable force, within the Behaviour Policies.
  10. The Governors expect the Behaviour Policies to set out the schools’ responses to non- criminal bad behaviour and bullying which occurs anywhere off the school premises and which is witnessed by a member of staff or reported to the school.