Horsforth Featherbank Primary School

This is a statement of principles, not practice.

Practical applications of these principles are the responsibility of the Headteacher.

The Governors at Horsforth Featherbank Primary School, believe that high standards of behaviour lie at the heart of a successful school and enable children to make the best possible progress in all aspects of their school life.

At Horsforth Featherbank Primary School, we value everyone as an individual, capable of growth, change and development. Our relationships are underpinned by the principles of justice, equality, mutual respect, fairness and consistency. We have high expectations that support the development of our pupils as effective and responsible citizens.

The purpose of this statement is to give guidance to the Headteacher in drawing up the Behaviour Policy by stating the principles the Governors expect to be followed. The Headteacher has a duty to publish the statement on the school website.

The Headteacher will develop the Behaviour Policy with reference to the DfE guidance document Behaviour and Discipline in Schools – Advice for Headteachers and School Staff, January 2016.

• All children, staff and visitors have the right to feel safe at all times at school and procedures should consider the requirements of the Education Act 2002 in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Horsforth Featherbank Primary School is an inclusive school. Bullying or harassment of any description is unacceptable. All members of the school community should be free from discrimination of any sort. Measures to protect children should be set out in the Behaviour and Equality policies, reflecting the duties of the Equality Act 2010.
• The Governors believe children should be at the heart of the development of school rules and these should be regularly reviewed with the involvement of the School Council and in consultation with staff and parents.
• High standards of behaviour are expected. The school rules should be clearly set out in the Behaviour Policy and displayed around school. Governors expect these rules to be consistently applied by all staff.
• 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.
• Sanctions for unacceptable/poor behaviour should be known and understood by all staff and pupils, consistently applied and regularly monitored to ensure effective impact.
• It is recognised that the use of rewards and sanctions must have regard to the individual situation and the individual student and the Headteacher is expected to use discretion in their use. Sanctions should however be applied fairly, consistently, proportionally and reasonably, taking into account special educational needs and disability and the needs of vulnerable children. Support and assessment from external agencies should be available support as necessary for pupils who display continued disruptive behaviour.
• We believe children should be given opportunities and openly encouraged to support each other in the process of positive reinforcement and personal growth, learning and recognising good behaviour.
• We expect pupils and parents to cooperate to maintain an orderly climate for learning.
• The Governors strongly feel that exclusions, particularly those that are permanent, must only be used as the very last resort.
• The Governors wish to emphasise that violence, threatening behaviour or abuse by pupils or parents towards the school’s staff will not be tolerated. If a parent does not conduct himself/herself properly, the school may ban them from the school premises and, if the parent continues to cause disturbance, he or she may be liable to prosecution.
• The Governors expect the Headteacher to include guidance and clarification for staff on their powers to search (for banned items), to use of reasonable force (make physical contact with children), and to discipline pupils for misbehaviour outside school (including notifying the police) witnessed by a member of staff or reported to school when:
  • Taking part in school organised or related activity
  • Travelling to or from school
  • Wearing school uniform or in some other way identifiable as a pupil