Tidemill Academy promotes a high standard of behaviour to ensure we have an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and exceptional learning can take place. Our behaviour approach aims to develop a moral framework within which responsibility, self-management and positive relationships can flourish. 

Culture

At Tidemill, we have a shared culture for positive behaviour.  The culture at Tidemill is that:

• Being ready for learning is important, individually, and as a group. 
• We are respectful to others in the local and wider community.
• Everyone in the school should be kept safe.
• Responsibility and self-management are the most effective ways that everyone can be Ready, Respectful and Safe.

We believe that children flourish when they are Ready, Respectful and Safe.

Curriculum

Tidemill has developed a behaviour curriculum which is discretely taught throughout the year to support all children’s understanding of expectations.  Each half-term, all year groups follow a behaviour curriculum which explicitly teaches the routines, values and behaviours expected at Tidemill.  These apply to every child in every situation whether in class, on the playground, during trips and visits, or walking to and from school.

Routines

At Tidemill, routines are aspirational, embody our values, create a sense of mutual respect, and apply to all children.  Through the behaviour curriculum, children will be taught the importance of mastering the Tidemill routines:

• Awesome Appearance
• Legendary Lines
• Wonderful Walking
• Magnificent Manners

Self-regulation

The ultimate goal is that pupils are able to regulate their own behaviour as this has a significant impact on their achievements and emotional wellbeing at school and beyond. To support development of this, Tidemill has given all pupils access to the Zones of Regulation. This is a behaviour approach designed to help pupils recognise when they are in different states called ‘zones,’ with each of the four zones represented by a different colour. Pupils learn how to use strategies or tools to stay in, or return to, the ‘green’ zone. Pupils learn calming techniques so they will have a toolbox of methods to better regulate their emotions and achieve their goals.

Consequences 

Although we work very hard to ensure high standards of behaviour, there will be times when unexpected behaviours occur and require a consequence.  

A stepped approach is used:

• If a pupil breaks a class rule within a session they will be given a warning that they are not following the Tidemill culture.
• Children might be asked by an adult, or can choose to take a short ‘time-out’ to reflect on their behaviour and think about the choices they need to make to refocus on their learning.
• A ‘verbal reminder’ is given e.g ‘Remember our class rule about putting your hand up, make sure you do that next time you want to answer a question please.’ If a child receives a ‘verbal reminder’ they will visit reflection during playtime.
• A child is given a ’rule reminder’. A lunchtime ‘reflection’ is given and parents are informed.
• If the unexpected behaviour persists, the child will be sent to another class or to a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

A positive partnership with parents is crucial to building trust and developing a common approach to behaviour expectations and strategies for dealing with problems. We will always inform parents/carers at an early stage if there are concerns about a child’s behaviour. School and parents working together gives children the best chance of managing behaviour successfully.

Bullying

Bullying is when an individual or a group of people with more power, repeatedly and intentionally cause hurt or harm to another person or group of people who feel helpless to respond. Bullying can happen anywhere – at school, at home or online. It is usually repeated over a long period of time and can hurt a child both physically and emotionally. We take bullying very seriously at Tidemill and work hard to make sure children feel safe and secure at school. However, we are aware that bullying can happen in all schools and at all ages. If bullying does occur, we want children to tell someone – a friend, a teacher, a parent or other safe adult so that intervention and positive action can take place. Please help us by encouraging your child to tell someone if he or she is being bullied and please contact us straight away so that we can deal with the issue as soon as possible. Similarly, if you suspect your child is developing bullying tendencies, please let us know so that we can talk and take positive action to remedy the situation.

Please see our Anti-bullying Policy and E-safety Social Media Policy for more information.