BEHAVIOUR
AND
DISCIPLINE
-
SCHOOL
POLICY
1.
In
devising the code, consideration has been given to the particular needs and
circumstances of this school. The aim is to ensure that the individuality of
each child is accommodated while acknowledging the right of each child to
education in a relatively disruption free environment.
2.
Every
effort will be made by all members of staff to adopt a positive approach to the
question of behaviour in the school. The code offers a framework within which
positive techniques of motivation and encouragement are utilised by teachers.
3.
The
school places greater emphasis on rewards than on sanctions in the belief that
this will, in the long run, give the best results. Misbehaviour in the yard is
recorded in the Yard Book. A draw is held at the end of each month for those
children in each class whose names are not in the Yard Book. In addition, the
class with the least names in the Yard Book also receives a prize.
4.
The
school recognises the variety of differences that exist between children and the
need to accommodate these differences.
5.
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 staff and between
staff, pupils and parents.
6.
The
rules are being kept to a minimum and are positively stated in terms of what
pupils should do.
7.
All
efforts will be made to match the curriculum to the abilities, aptitudes and
interests of each pupil. This should help to reduce boredom, lack of interest or
lack of progress.
8.
The
overall responsibility for discipline within the school rests with the
principal. Each teacher has responsibility for the maintenance of discipline
within his/her classroom while sharing a common responsibility for good order
within the school premises. A pupil will be referred to the Principal for
serious breaches of discipline and for repeated incidents of minor misbehaviour.
9.
The
following strategies may be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour.
(a)
Reasoning
with the pupil.
(b)
Reprimand
(including advice on how to improve).
(c)
Temporary
separation from peers, friends or other.
(d)
Loss
of privileges.
(e)
Prescribing
additional work.
(f)
Referral
to Principal.
(g)
Communication
with parents.
(h)
Suspension
(Temporary).
10.
For
gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour suspension will
be considered. Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviour towards a teacher or
pupil will be regarded as serious or gross misbehaviour, depending on
circumstances.
Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents will be requested in writing to attend at the school to meet the Chairperson and the Principal. If the parents do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future the pupil may have to be suspended for a temporary period. Suspension will be in accordance with the terms of Rule 130 (5) of the Rules for National Schools.
In the case of gross misbehaviour the Board shall sanction an immediate
suspension.
Expulsion may be considered in an extreme case, in accordance with Rule
130 (6).
11.
Every
effort will be made to have an emotionally disturbed child referred for
psychological assessment without delay. Help will be sought, also, from support
services within the wider community, e.g. Community Care Services provided by
Health Boards.
All members of the teaching staff have been involved in planning the
code.
12.
In
the belief that the most effective schools tend to be those with the best
relationships with parents, every effort will be made by the principal and staff
to ensure that the school provides a welcoming atmosphere towards parents and
that parents are not only told when their children are in trouble but when they
have behaved particularly well.
13. The code will be reviewed at agreed intervals