Code of Behaviour

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR & DISCIPLINE POLICY

Introduction

The Code of Behaviour is the set of programmes, practices and procedures that together form the schools plan for helping students in the school to behave well and learn well.

Good behaviour is based on good relations between parents/guardians, child and school.

In Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen, we hope to foster this ideal in co-operation with our parents/guardians. We have adopted a positive code of behaviour with emphasis on encouragement and reward so that good behaviour can prevail in our school.

Aims:

To
create a positive learning environment that encourages and reinforces good
behaviour
To
promote self-esteem and positive relationships
To
encourage a fair and consistent response to both positive and negative
behaviour
To
promote positive behaviour and self-discipline recognising the differences
between children and the need to accommodate these differences.
To
create an atmosphere of respect, tolerance and consideration for others and their
environment
To enable children to reach their educational
potential without behavioural disruptions from other children in their class
To
ensure that the school’s expectations and strategies are widely known and
understood through the parent’s enrolment pack, availability of policies and an
ethos of open communication
To
encourage the involvement of both home and school in the implementation of this
policy
To
promote a strong sense of community and co-operation among staff, pupils,
parents and Board of Management.

Principles:

The school places greater emphasis on rewards than on
sanctions in the belief that this will, in the long run, give the best results.

The school recognises the variety of differences that exist
between children and the need to accommodate these differences.

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.

The rules are being kept to a minimum and are positively
stated in terms of what pupils should do.

The code of behaviour is based on a commitment to the
welfare of every student and staff member, creating a positive and safe working
environment for both pupils and staff.

The school promotes conditions for learning and teaching,
dignity and freedom from threat of violence for both staff and students,

The overall responsibilities for discipline within the
school rest with the principal. Each teacher has responsibility for good classroom management
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.

General Whole School Rules:

The school is open to receive pupils at 9:10a.m. No responsibility is accepted for pupils
arriving before that time. Children should line up and enter their classrooms.
Junior and Senior Infants
finish school at 2.00 pm. 1^st
to 6^th class pupils finish school at 3:00p.m.

The School is not responsible for the
behaviour of the children on their way to or from school.

Parents should inform the school, in writing,
of pupils who are allowed to walk home at 3p.m.

Full school uniform must be worn at all times
– with the exception of P.E. days where tracksuit bottoms are permitted.

On hearing the school
bell all pupils must walk slowly to their class line and remain there quietly
until their teacher brings them into their respective classes.

A written note is
required from parents when a child is absent from school any day or if a child
wishes to leave the School during school hours.
The school is obliged to inform the Statutory Educational Welfare
Services of the Child and Family Agency if a child has missed 20 days or more
in the school year.

All persons collecting
children early are asked to report on arrival to the school secretary’s office
and sign out pupils.

The children are expected to have their homework completed and signed
by a parent/guardian Monday to Thursday.

The school follows healthy eating
guidelines. A small treat is permitted on Fridays. All food is to be eaten in their
classrooms before going out. The eating of
chewing gum and food containing nuts is prohibited altogether.

Mobile phones are not permitted in
the school.

For children’s safety, certain areas
of the school are out of bounds:
The steep banking above the fencing, at
the back of the school.
Climbing
the trees, that surround the school.
Climb
over any fence, wall or gate surrounding the School Grounds.
During
inclement weather conditions, children are to avoid the grass and steps.
In
times of frost or snow, children and parents are requested to use the salted
pathway at the front of the school.

School Golden Rules:

In St. Patrick’s N.S. (Scoil Phádraig) we believe respect is central to creating a harmonious and safe learning environment

We
respect others by keeping our hands and feet to ourselves in all school related
environments and activities
We
respect others by using good manners. We
speak politely and mannerly at all times
We
respect other people’s property and also the school property

Classroom Rules:

Pupils
will have an input into devising their classroom rules.
Each
teacher is responsible for devising a clear system of acknowledging and
rewarding good behaviour.

Playground Rules:

We play safely and within our designated
area
We keep our hands and feet to ourselves
We use appropriate language at all
times
We stop when the bell rings and line up
quietly
We inform an adult if we need to leave
the yard to use the toilet or in the case of 5^th and 6^th
class pupils, to pick up a ball from the road.
We bring footballs onto yard only at
lunch time.

Rewards & Sanctions

Promoting good behaviour is the main goal of the code. The staff will highlight positive aspects of pupil behaviour and work at every opportunity either individually or on a class basis.

Children have an inherent need for a safe and secure environment. Teachers model positive behaviour, by treating children and adults with respect and building up a positive relationship with pupils.

In general, children react well to routines and boundaries. Establishing and maintaining rules and routines in the classroom has been shown to promote positive behaviour.

Some actions taken to prompt positive behaviour in classrooms:

Positive everyday interactions between
teachers and pupils.
Involve children in the preparation of
classroom rules.
Careful lesson planning.
Good class routines.
Help pupils to recognize and affirm
good behaviour.
Explore with pupils how they should
treat each other.
Pupil work and behaviour is praised in
class.
A favourable comment or note to parent.
Positive aspects of pupil or class
behaviour/work may be highlighted as the Principal visits classroom.
Award system for good behaviour.

These systems are more likely to motivate students when they are meaningful and the pupil understands what the reward is given for. Care is needed to ensure that rewards do not become the goal of learning, do not result in unhelpful competition, are not repeatedly awarded to the same students and do not seem unattainable to some students and as a result de-motivate them.

Rewards:

At Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen, we encourage good behaviour by using a variety of reward systems. Rewards can be individual, group and/or for the whole class.

Praise statements
Stickers
Stamps
Certificates of good work
“Pupil of the Term” certificates at
school assemblies
Homework tokens
Showing good work to other teachers
and/or the Principal
Positive notes home
Raffle tickets
Individual sticker chart
Golden time

Rewards on yard: the best line up class at the end of the week, will receive 10 minutes additional yard time.

Sanctions:

We hope to put more emphasis on rewards than on sanctions, but unfortunately sanctions are necessary.

Sanctions on yard:

Teachers will record inappropriate
behaviour of pupils in the “Yard Book”.
Pupils will be asked to stand in the time out area.

(1 minute for Junior and Senior Infants. 3 minutes for 1^st to 6^th class).

Yard incidents will be dealt with by
the teacher who is on yard.
Pupils who appear in the yard book 3
times within a 2 week period, will be sent to the Principal.

Three Categories of Misbehaviour

In Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen, behaviours are divided into three categories:

Minor
Misbehaviour
More Serious
Misbehaviour
Gross
Misbehaviour

Examples of minor misdemeanours include:

Disrupting the work or play or others
Running in school building
Talking in class
Leaving seat without permission
Littering
Not obeying lunch-time and classroom rules
Not completing homework
Possession of mobile phone (Mobile phones will be
confiscated and will only be returned to a Parent/Guardian)
Not treating other children/adults with respect.

Examples of more serious misdemeanours include;

Persistently breaking school/classroom rules
Stealing
Bullying in all forms
Leaving school without permission
Disrespectful language or behaviour towards an adult
Substance use
Damaging school or others property
Aggressive behaviour
Causing physical harm to another child/adult
Fighting
Being in possession of items that may cause damage
to persons or property

The above lists are not exhaustive and are only examples.

The degree of misdemeanours i.e. minor/more serious/gross will be judged by the teachers and/or Principal based on a common sense approach with regard to the gravity/frequency of such misdemeanours.

Teachers shall keep a written record of all instances of serious misbehaviour as well as a record of improvements inthe behaviour of disruptive pupils. Before resorting to serious sanctions e.g. suspension, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised. Parents will be involved at an early stage, rather than as a last resort.

Strategies & Interventions:

The following strategies and interventions will be used by the school to encourage positive/acceptable behaviourand also to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour:

Rule reminders with the child and
discussion of behaviour
Teacher will use corrective
language
Loss of privileges – e.g. Golden time, computer time etc
Teacher communication with parents
by a note in the homework journal.
If continuous misbehaviours occur,
the teacher will request a meeting with parents. If the need arises the teacher will put
a classroom support plan in place from there on in.
With no improvement in continuing minor
misdemeanours the child will be referred to the Principal.
If behaviours issues still continue to occur, further school
based assessment and intervention will take place. A pupil may then be offered School Support
and a support plan will be put in place.
Following a review and if adequate progress is not made consultation/advice
with the NEPS psychologist may be needed.
Consideration may also be given to referrals to outside agencies with
parental involvement and consent.
The Principal will communicate with
parents.
The Chairperson of the Board of
Management will be informed and parents requested to meet with the
Chairperson.
Suspension
Expulsion

Suspension and Expulsion will be in accordance with the NEWB Guidelines

SUSPENSION

Suspension is defined as ‘requiring the student to absent himself/herself from the school for a specified, limited period of school days’ (NEWB guidelines). Exclusion for part of a school day, as a sanction, or asking parents to keep a student from school, as a sanction, counts as suspension.

Suspension will be considered as part of a range of sanctions where a student has engaged in a serious or gross misbehaviour. While suspension should be a proportionate response to the behaviour that is causing concern, a single instance of serious misbehaviour may be grounds for suspension.

The decision to suspend will be based on the following grounds:

The seriously detrimental effect on the education of the other students
of the student’s behaviour to date;
Whether the student’s continued presence in the school constitutes a
threat to safety;
The student is responsible for serious damage to property.

The purpose of suspension:

The purpose of suspension includes: providing a respite for staff and students, giving the student time to reflect on their actions and the staff time to plan ways of helping the student to change their behaviour. Suspension shall be used as part of an agreed plan to address the student’s behaviour.

The procedures in respect of suspension are those outlined in section 11.5 of the NEWB ‘Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools’. While the BoM has the authority to suspend, they may delegate this authority to the principal for periods of up to three days. If a suspension for a longer period is being proposed, the Principal should refer to the Board of Management for consideration and approval. Reports to the Board and to the relevant authorities should be made in line with NEWB guidelines.

A record of suspension incidents will be kept in the school.

School will endeavour to ensure fair procedure to include the right to be heard and to impartiality.

The process will include the following stages;

Investigation of the facts to confirm serious/gross
misbehaviour.
Parents will be informed by phone or in writing
about the incident
Parents will be given the opportunity to respond

If suspension is still decided upon:

Principal notifies parent in writing of the decision to suspend. The letter should confirm:

The period of the suspension and the dates on which
the suspension will begin and end
The reasons for the suspension
The arrangements for returning to school, including
any commitments to be entered into by the student and the parents
The provision for appeal to the Board of Management
The right to appeal to the Secretary General of the
DES, if the suspension period brings the cumulative period of suspension to 20
days or longer in the school year (section 29, Education Act 1998, amended
2007)

Suspension will be implemented in accordance with the terms of Rule 130 (5) of the Rules for National Schools.

Removal of Suspension (Reinstatement)

Following or during a period of suspension, the parent/s may apply to have the pupil reinstated to the school. The parent/s must give a satisfactory undertaking that a suspended pupil will behave in accordance with the school code of behaviour and the Principal must be satisfied that the pupil’s reinstatement will not constitute a risk to the pupil’s own safety or that of the other pupils or staff. The Principal will facilitate the preparation of a behaviour plan for the pupil if required and will re-admit the pupil formally to the class.

EXPLUSION (permanent exclusion)

Expulsion is a very serious step and will only be taken by the Board of Management in extreme cases of unacceptable behaviour which may include:

the pupils behaviour is a persistent
cause of significant disruption to the learning of others or to the teaching
process
the pupils continued presence in the school
constitutes a real and significant threat to safety
the pupil is responsible for serious
damage to property.

In the event of expulsion being considered by the Board of Management fair procedure and procedures prescribed by the Education Welfare Act 2000 will be followed.

Procedures for expulsion

Where a preliminary assessment of the facts confirms serious/gross misbehaviour that could warrant expulsion, the procedural steps will include:

A detailed investigation carried out under the
direction of the Principal.
A recommendation to the Board of Management by
the Principal.
Consideration by the Board of Management of the
Principal’s recommendation; and the holding of a hearing.
Board of Management deliberations and actions
following the hearing.
Consultations arranged by the Educational Welfare
Officer.
Confirmation
of the decision to expel.

Appeals

A parent may appeal a decision to expel to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science (Education Act 1998 section 29). An appeal may also be brought by the National Educational Welfare Board on behalf of the student.

The Appeals process

The appeals process under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 begins with the provision of mediation by a mediator nominated by the Appeals Committee (current DES guidance).

Review of use of Expulsion

The Board of Management will review the use of expulsion in the school at regular intervals to ensure that its use is consistent with school policies, that patterns of use are examined to identify factors that may be influencing behaviour in the school, and to ensure that expulsion is used appropriately.

Record keeping

Homework
diary – from 1st to 6th class. Teachers may make notes in parent/teacher
comments section. Teacher may send note to parents of junior and senior
infants in homework folder or lunchbox.
Classroom
incidents – kept by each classroom teacher manually/ electronically by means of
Aladdin administration software.
Record
of yard behaviour – Yard book kept in secretary’s office.
Record
of suspensions – a record of suspension of each child will be kept on
file.

Linked policies

A number of other school policies are linked to the code of behaviour policy. These include:

Homework policy
Anti-bullying policy
Health and safety policy
Child Protection Policy
Substance abuse policy
SPHE, Alive O/Grow in
Love, RSE
Stay safe programme

Success criteria

Positive feedback from
teachers, parents and pupils
Observation of behaviour
in class rooms, corridors, yard
General atmosphere in the
school.

Practices and procedures listed in this policy being consistently implemented by teachers.