At Tidemill Academy, we have a behaviour policy that recognises that positive behaviour means pupils who:

• are actively engaged in their learning and the learning of those around them,
• are respectful of the rights of self and others,
• take responsibility for their behaviour.

We provide a safe, caring and stimulating learning environment where children can develop a positive set of attitudes towards others. We celebrate success and value each child as an individual.

At the beginning of the school year, all class teachers establish the rules (class charter) with their class. These are connected to the UNICEF Rights and Responsibilities of a Child. These are displayed prominently in the classroom and referred to on a regular basis. Additionally, KS1 & 2 have a ‘passport’ system which ensures the children who continuously adhere to school rules do not go unnoticed. Every child has a fresh start to each day – a ‘clean’ passport.

Rewards
At Tidemill our emphasis is on rewards to reinforce good behaviour. This is achieved by:

• Frequent praise of both good work and behaviour, verbally and in books

• Each class having a bespoke reward system
• Showing good work to the Senior Leadership Team
• Awards in weekly Achievement assemblies
• Termly Framed Work assemblies
• Termly ‘passport’ trips to acknowledge consistently good behaviour for learning

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.

Sanctions

Although we work very hard to ensure high standards of behaviour, there will be times when class rules are broken and it is essential that certain sanctions are used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour.

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 agreed rules decided by the group.
• 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’ this is marked on their passport. However, they are given the opportunity to redeem it if their behaviour then improves for the rest of the day.
• A child is given a ’rule reminder’. This is recorded in their passport and cannot be earned back. A lunchtime ‘reflection’ is given and parents are informed.
• If the unacceptable 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, E-safety Social Media Policy and Positive Behaviour Policy for more information.