At West Bridgford Junior School, we aim to work alongside parents and carers to encourage children to develop as fully as possible. We want out children to grow socially, personally and academically. In order for this to happen, an appropriate climate of good behaviour needs to be created. We believe that children learn best when they are clear about what to do and are consistently encouraged to do it. We believe that teachers have the right to teach, and children have the right to learn.

   This positive climate is at the heart of the school's ethos. We aim to create a safe and supportive environment in which all children can play an active role in their education and which promotes their confidence and self image. We hope that children develop a sense of identity and self motivation.

What We Mean

By Good Behaviour

At West Bridgford Junior School we ask that children make the 'Bridgford Promise'. This means that everyone in school is:

• Caring and kind

• Polite and friendly

• Helpful to each other

• Respectful and considerate

• Attentive and hardworking

We encourage this behaviour throughout the school day in every part of the school environment: in the playground, the corridor, the cloakrooms and the classroom. These expectations are often reinforced by specific weekly themes discussed in assembly.

 How We Encourage Good Behaviour

The systems used in school are based overwhelmingly on positive reinforcement. Some are used throughout the school and others are created by individual teachers to suit the needs of their groups.

At a whole school level, there is a 'Star' assembly at which specific achievements are recognised and celebrated and each child nominated receives a coveted 'Star of the Week' sticker and certificate.

There is also a 'Work of the Week' assembly where classes have the opportunity to show examples of the work they have been doing and can Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher awards.

Again, at a whole school level, wherever children are 'found' doing the right thing by a teacher or other adult, they can earn stars, as part of our 'Reach for the Stars' theme.

At the beginning of every year, in addition to the Bridgford Promise, each class creates a 'contract' of catchy, positively phrased guidelines. These are displayed in the classroom and referred to throughout the year as their own class behavioural targets. 

The class teacher discusses the Bridgford Promise and their own class behaviour targets with each class, and these are displayed on the wall of the classroom. In this way, every child in the school knows the standard of behaviour that we expect.

For special achievements within class, children may be sent to Mr Unsworth for praise and, where appropriate, parents or carers will be informed.

Within classrooms, a number of other systems are used to recognise either individuals or the class as a whole.  Some examples of these are as follows:

•  Stickers and stamps on work
• A whole class target, such as forming a jigsaw or filling a jar of marbles, which, when completed earns a class reward.
• Cards or tokens to reward specific behaviour such as joining in actively
• Earning a privilege, such as leading the class line or helping a teacher

Every child in the school has a Record of Achievement Folder, in which we place favourite pieces of work, items from display, photographs and certificates.  This folder is then presented to the children on their last day at the school as a celebration and souvenir of their achievements.

Finally, but certainly not least, children have an important role to play in the successful running of their school and, for many years, Class and School councils have been a real strength of West Bridgford Juniors.  Both of these forums give children a real voice and allow them to share ideas or concerns and to resolve issues in a supportive environment.   

From time to time, children need to be reminded about their behaviour.  We believe that everyone in school needs to be completely clear about any consequences of inappropriate beahviour and, together with the children, have created a simple 'ladder' of cumulative sanctions that is shared with all children.  Each day will be a fresh day.

For more serious incidents, of course, this ladder may not be appropriate and children will be sent straight to Mr Unsworth.  What other sanctions may be used?  Loss of privileges, interview with senior member of staff, report card, possible detention after school.  In extreme cases, persistent or serious problems with behaviour can result in fixed-term or permanent exclusion.  We must stress that we envisage any of these sanctions being only rarely used, as a positive approach to behaviour management will always be the key to successful learning.

In all of these cases, we believe that good communication between school and home is paramount.  The decision on whether to inform parents about behavioural incidents is decided on an individual basis and the school maintains an equal opportunities perspective.  It may be appropriate and beneficial to contact parents/carers earlier than stated in this policy.

It is our hope that, by sharing this information with you, we can work together to ensure the healthy development of every child.