Behaviour principles written statement

This document is not policy or practice, rather it is a statement to set out South Ascot Village School’s broad principles and values with regard to behaviour that is both expected and promoted within the school.

Actual, practical applications of these principles are the responsibility of the headteacher, who will view each case in light of these principles and any relevant policies.

The governing body is aware and approves of this statement, believing it accurately reflects the school’s ethos and that effective learning and development relies on good standards of behaviour.

This is why, at South Ascot Village School, we seek to uphold high standards of behaviour that are guided by the principles within this statement.

Principles

• The school’s primary concern is the safety, wellbeing and education of all pupils; actions taken in cases of bad behaviour are with the intention of upholding their wellbeing and academic progress, as well as fulfilling our safeguarding responsibilities.
• All members of the school community must be treated inclusively and be free from any form of discrimination or prejudice – whether it be racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, religious or age-based.
• The school will create and maintain an atmosphere and ethos of tolerance, equality, diversity, respect, understanding, kindness and a sense of citizenship throughout the school community in everyday practice.
• All children, staff and visitors should feel safe in the school environment at all times through a high quality of care, support and guidance.
• All pupils have a right to fulfil their greatest academic and personal potential and feel they are valued members of the school by both their peers and school staff, and should be free from bullying, discrimination and distracting peer behaviour.
• Rules are to be consistently applied across the school and where sanctions and punishments are exercised, they should be proportionate to the misdemeanour, in line with the school’s Behaviour Policy.
• Good behaviour around school is to be acknowledged and rewarded at the discretion of staff, who will judge appropriately.
• At South Ascot Village School, we want to foster a community and collective ethos amongst all members of the school and promote values of caring, empathy, teamwork and coordination.
• In cases of problematic pupil behaviour, regardless of how sustained and disruptive, the pupil’s out-of-school circumstances and possible special educational needs and disabilities must be taken into account. Comprehensive support is given before or alongside disciplinary measures – exclusions and expulsions are to be used only as a last resort where other measures fail.
• Any kind of violence, threatening behaviour or abuse between pupils, or by pupils/parents/carers towards the school’s staff, will not be tolerated. If a parent/carer does not conduct himself/herself properly, the school reserves the right to ban them from the school premises and, if the parent/carer continues to cause disturbance, he or she may be liable to prosecution.
• Guidance on the use of reasonable force will be agreed upon by the headteacher and governing body, and clearly set out within the school’s Behaviour for Learning Policy and The Use of Reasonable Force Document published by the DfE. 

General expectations

• All members of the school community should be aware of behavioural expectations and the relevant policies, and agree to them as fair and reasonable. These will be made readily available to read and general expectations will be displayed in classrooms and around the school.
• Polite and considerate behaviour is to be maintained by all around the school, both in and out of the classroom.
• Offensive or insulting language is not to be used in any circumstances, deliberately or otherwise.
• Each pupil receives the necessary behavioural support according to their specific needs.
• Bullying (and cyber bullying) is not tolerated and pupils should report any case of bullying they experience or observe to school staff.
• Pupils should help staff by showing good behaviour in the classroom, not distracting themselves or others from important learning.
• Staff will lead by example and model their conduct in line with the school’s standards.
• To keep the pupils and staff safe, the headteacher will utilise their powers to search or use reasonable force in order to keep individuals from harming, or further harming, themselves or others.
• Everyone in the South Ascot Village School community should understand that the school’s emphasis is on encouraging and praising good behaviour and supporting individuals who are struggling to meet the expected behavioural standards.

This written statement, and the policies that are influenced by it, applies to all pupils and staff   inside and outside of school, when acting as ambassadors, when engaged in extra-curricular activities, such as educational trips and visits (residential and non-residential) and when being educated as a member of South Ascot Village School.