List of Contents
1. Introductory Statement
This Code of Behaviour was originally devised in consultation with a PPDS advisor, Mr Vincent Mulvey, all staff members and the Board of Management. This policy was reviewed by staff in the 2021/22 school year.
2. Rationale
The Board of Management of St. Brigid’s National School decided to review the Behaviour Policy to ensure that it is compliant with legal requirements and good practice as set out in Developing a Code of Behaviour. Guidelines for Schools, NEWB, 2008.
It is a requirement under the Education Welfare Act 2000, Section 23 (1) which refers to the obligation on schools to prepare a Code of Behaviour in respect of the students registered at the school. It details in Section 23 (2) that the Code of Behaviour shall specify:-
3. Relationship to Characteristic Ethos
St. Brigid’s National School seeks to enable each child to develop his/her potential in a caring environment where the talents of each child are nurtured and valued. This work can best be done where there is a high level of openness and co-operation between staff, parents and pupils. A clear understanding among all the partners, of the standards of behaviour required and the procedures to be adopted where there are breaches of the code; also helps ensure a harmonious environment where all can work effectively.
4. Implementation and Monitoring
The Board of Management and the Principal have overall responsibility for the implementation and on-going monitoring of this policy. However, all staff members have responsibility for their own classes and for the general school population when on yard duty or on any organised out-of-school activity. Students have a role to play and parents or other members of the school community may make comments or suggestions through their representatives on the Board of Management or directly to the Principal. The policy shall apply to all students during all school related activities.
5. Aims
In devising this code, consideration has been given to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. The aim is to create an ordered and orderly environment in which pupils can, through developing self-discipline, feel secure and make progress in all aspects of their development. Every effort will be made by all members of staff to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school and the over-riding aims will be:-
6. Guidelines for Behaviour in the School
The school recognises the variety of differences that exist between children. It is agreed that a high standard of behaviour requires a strong sense of community within the school and a high level of co-operation among the staff and between staff, parents and pupils. Every effort will be made to ensure that the Code of Behaviour is implemented in a reasonable, fair and consistent manner. The limits of behaviour are clearly defined and children become familiar with the consequences of behaviour beyond these limits. The over-riding principle governing this code is respect – respect for ourselves and others and their property.
The school expects the highest standard of behaviour from all the school community.
(a) Pupil’s responsibilities
Pupils are expected to:-
(b) Teachers’ Responsibilities
Teachers are expected to:-
(c) Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians
Parents/Guardians are expected to:-
7. Whole School Approach to Promoting Positive Behaviour
It is the policy of this school to actively promote good behaviour. Children learn best when their efforts are acknowledged. It is more positive to praise a child doing the proper thing than to constantly scold the child who misbehaves. As part of our on-going efforts to promote positive behaviour, time will be allocated at some staff meetings for discussion regarding the implementation of the code. Staff will be given opportunities to share their experience of both positive and negative behaviour and to learn from collective wisdom.
To facilitate new members of staff and to become familiar with practices within the school, discussion regarding the implementation of the code will always form part of the first staff meeting held each September. A copy of the code will be included in all teachers’ documents. The code will also be given to parents whenever they enrol a child in the school.
The following strategies will be used by all teachers:-
Praise
Praise may be given by means of any one of the following:-
Disapproval
The nature of the behaviour, the age of the child and their level of understanding/ability to comply will determine the nature of the strategies employed. The following strategies will be used to show disapproval of inappropriate behaviour:-
Initially, instances of misbehaviour will be dealt with by the class teacher/yard duty teacher or the teacher who observes the behaviour. This will include children being advised about their behaviour and about how to improve. Discussion about behaviour and its consequences will form part of SPHE lessons at all class levels. Teachers will actively promote good behaviour and aim to “catch” children at activities where they can give positive feedback, thus promoting better behaviour.
However, where these strategies have failed and where misbehaviour is more serious or persistent, it will be necessary to involve others including the Principal, parents/guardians and the Board of Management.
8. Classification of Misbehaviours
Misbehaviour falls into one of three categories – minor, serious or gross. Teachers and/or the Principal will make judgements based on a common sense approach, having regard to the gravity and frequency of any misbehaviour as follows:
Note: not living up to the expected standards of behaviour or breaking the school rules constitutes misbehaviour.
* See Appendix 1 for list of school rules.
Minor Misbehaviour
The following are examples of minor misbehaviour:-
Interrupting class work/Running in the school building/Littering around the school/Being discourteous or unmannerly/Not completing homework without good reason (to include a note from a parent/guardian)/Minor infringement of the school rules/Talking out of turn/Answering back teacher/Not working to full potential.
Teachers will take the following steps when dealing with minor misbehaviour:-
Serious Misbehaviour – continuous minor misbehaviours automatically become serious misbehaviours
The following are examples of serious misbehaviour:-
Telling lies/Name calling/Stealing/Persistently not working to full potential/Damaging others’ property/Inappropriate behaviour or gestures/Using unacceptable language/Deliberate, continual disobedience.
Teachers will take the following steps when dealing with serious misbehaviour:-
Gross Misbehaviour – continuous serious misbehaviours automatically become gross misbehaviours
The following are examples of gross misbehaviour:-
Bringing weapons or dangerous substances to school/Bullying/Deliberately endangering self or fellow pupils in the class or the yard/Persistently engaging in activities which have been identified by members of staff as dangerous or inappropriate/Leaving school premises without permission/Deliberately injuring any member of the school community/Setting fire to school property/Deliberately leaving taps (fire extinguisher) etc. turned on/Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviour towards a member of staff or a pupil (e.g. physical violence, striking, nipping, biting, spitting).
Persistent incidents of serious misbehaviour will be classified as gross misbehaviour.
Once – off offensive or hurtful text message/or other private messaging.
Should a teacher become aware of a one – off incident as described above. Parents will be notified and asked to deal with this matter.
One occurrence of gross misbehaviour will be dealt with as follows:-
Teachers will take the following stops when dealing with gross misbehaviour
9. Procedures in respect of Suspension (as per Page 77 of the NEWB Guidelines)
While the Board of Management has the authority to suspend, they may delegate this authority to the Principal for periods of up to three days.
Investigation of the facts to confirm serious misbehaviour
Parents will be informed by phone or in writing about the incident
Parents will be given an opportunity to respond.
If suspension is still decided upon, the Principal notifies parent/guardian in writing of the decision to suspend. The letter should confirm:-
Note: Where the cumulative total days reaches six, the NEWB will be notified.
Records and Reports
Formal written records will be kept of:-
10. Expulsion (As per Page 82 of the NEWB Guidelines)
Procedures in respect of expulsion
The intention to expel a student does not take effect until 20 school days have elapsed after NEWB have received written notification. The NEWB should be notified using a Notice of Intention to Expel Form which is available on www.schoolreturn.ie or from the NEWB Helpline (1890 363666). This form should be completed and sent to School Return Section, national Educational Welfare board, 16-22 Green St, Dublin 7.
11. Misbehaviour on the yard
Incidents of yard misbehaviour will be dealt with as follows:-
The teacher on duty who notices misbehaviour will reason with the pupil/s misbehaving. If no improvement occurs, the following procedure may be followed:-
12. Involving Parents/Guardians in Managing Problem Behaviour
Parents/Guardians are valued as partners in the school community and as such, will be invited to participate in promoting positive behaviour both in school and in the wider community. Class teachers may occasionally request parents/guardians to visit them in school to discuss some aspect of a pupil’s behaviour. Please refer to attached complaints procedure. Parents/guardians are encouraged to make appointments to meet with class teachers and/or the Principal at the earliest opportunity in an effort to prevent any escalation of inappropriate behaviour. The school will remind parents/guardians of the procedures for contacting the school at every opportunity.
Where pupils are found to be involved in more serious misbehaviour, the Principal may telephone or write to parents/guardians to request them to attend an informal meeting at the school. Class teachers or teachers who witness misbehaviour while supervising on yard duty may also attend these meetings. The pupil may also attend all or part of these meetings if deemed appropriate. Where a child has been suspended, and prior to returning to school, the parents and the child will be required to attend a meeting at the school to discuss:-
13. Appeals
Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, parents (or pupils who have reached the age of 18) are entitled to appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of Education & Skills against some decisions of the Board of Management including (1) permanent exclusion from a school and (2) suspension for a period which would bring the cumulative period of suspension to 20 school days or longer in any one school year. Appeals must generally be made within 42 calendar days from the date the decision of the school was notified to the parent or student (see Circular 22/02).
14. Records
In line with the school’s policy on record keeping and data protection legislation, records in relation to pupils’ behaviour are kept in a secure filing cabinet.
15. Procedures for notification of pupil absences from school
Parents must notify the school in writing of a student’s absence and the reason for this absence
16. Reference to other policies
List and check other school policies that have a bearing on the Code of Behaviour e.g.
17. Success Criteria
This policy will be deemed to be successful when the following are observed:-
18. Ratification
The Board of Management have reviewed and examined all aspects of this Policy and agree that the policy should be ratified as a school policy
Signed:__________________________
Chairperson – Board of Management
Date:___________________________