Blackthorn Academy

Blackthorn Academy

Academy Principal: Miss M Ginn MA Ed.
Email: [email protected]

Behaviour and Safety Policy

Persons responsible: Principal and Vice Principal
Date written: September 2015
Date for review: September 2016

Blackthorn Academy is committed to improving and maintaining the behaviour and
safety of all groups in the school community.

We will achieve this by:

 Promoting a positive ethos through the school’s expectations and values to
'nurture the seeds of greatness'

 Building positive relationships with children, parents and staff
 Consistently adhere to the Behaviour Plan with an emphasis on the high

expectations of behaviour and quality of work
 Using a solution focused approach so that children develop valuable life skills

giving them confidence and self- discipline
 Ensuring that all lessons meet the needs of our children so that they reach their

potential whilst promoting spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of learning
 Promoting and modelling good attendance and punctuality
 Including ALL children in all curriculum areas both on and off site
 Safeguarding and protecting all members of our school community

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Classroom management and teaching methods have an important influence on
children's behaviour. The classroom environment gives clear messages to the children
about the extent to which they and their efforts are valued. Relationships between
teacher and children, strategies for encouraging good behaviour, arrangements of
furniture, access to resources and classroom displays all have a bearing on the way
children behave.

Classrooms should be organised to develop independence and interdependence.
Furniture will be arranged to provide an environment conducive to on-task behaviour.
Materials and resources will be arranged to aid accessibility and reduce uncertainty
and disruption. Displays will help develop self-esteem through demonstrating the value
of every individual's contribution, and overall the classroom will provide a welcoming
environment.

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]

Teaching methods will encourage enthusiasm and active participation for all. Lessons
will aim to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding which will enable the
children to work and play in co-operation with others. Praise will be used to encourage
good behaviour as well as to congratulate work that is of a high standard. Constructive
criticism will be a private matter between teacher and child to avoid resentment.

RULES

At Blackthorn Academy we do not have defined rules, as we do not feel that all
expectations can be summarised in just a few bullet points. Individuals within our
community recognise all that is expected of them because of our clearly defined
values and our identified behaviours for learning.

VALUES

We all have the aspiration to be GREAT!

Adults:

G – Giving everyone the tools to succeed
R – Resilience to face the future with pride
E – Everyone matters and deserves the best
A – Aspire to be the best we can
T - Together we grow and learn

Children:

G – Go for goals!
R – Resilient! We never give up! (Resilience)
E – Everyone matters! (Respect and Understanding)
A – Always do our best! (Responsibility, Confidence, Readiness and Independence)
T - Together we all grow and learn! (Team Spirit)

Through being GREAT members of our community we will be reinforcing and learning to
uphold the following values which will in turn make our academy a GREAT place to
learn. These values are: respect, resilience, responsibility, understanding, confidence,
independence, readiness and team spirit.

REWARDS

At Blackthorn Academy we believe that pupils should be recognised and rewarded for
upholding our values and meeting expectations. On occasions, some pupils may make
the wrong choices and will receive a consequence as a result. Our school ethos is built
around positivity and mutual respect, encouraging the best out of our community at all
times.

The following systems and procedures are in place for rewarding expected behaviours:

Greatness Certificates:

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]

 Each week the class teachers will nominate two pupils from their class to
receive a ‘Greatness Certificate’

 These will recognise pupils for something GREAT that they have done that
week

 These will be presented in assembly on a Friday afternoon

GREAT Gems (values based reward system – behaviour in and around the academy):

 Pupils are awarded a ‘GREAT gem’ when they are seen demonstrating one
of the academy values

 Pupils must be told what behaviour that they have been seen
demonstrating – this is so that they know what they have been rewarded for

 Each week ‘gem’ totals will be calculated for each class and announced in
Friday’s assembly

 At the end of each half-term the winning class (the class who has received
the most ‘gems’ will receive a class reward

Smileys (class based reward system for BfL):

 All pupils will know and understand the Behaviours for Learning (BfL) that are

expected of them within their lessons

 Pupils will be rewarded with a ‘smiley’ when they are seen to be

demonstrating these behaviours within their learning

 Class teachers may identify what ‘behaviour’ they are looking for at the

beginning of the lesson, or they may just observe them

 At certain collection points pupils recognised for their achievements

o 100 smileys Bronze Behaviour for Learning Award

o 200 smileys Silver Behaviour for Learning Award

o 300 smileys Gold Behaviour for Learning Award

o 500 smileys Platinum Behaviour for Learning Award

Early Bird Smileys:

 Pupils are rewarded for arriving at school and being in their seats working by
8.55am (school doors open at 8.45am)

 They are given an ‘Early Bird Smiley’ for every time that they achieve this
 Pupils then collect their marks and re-deem these for rewards/prizes

alongside the general Smiley Reward System

Principal, Vice and Assistant Principal rewards:

 Pupils may be sent to show their work or be recognised for their good
behaviour to a member of the SST – Principal, Vice Principal or Assistant
Principals

 This must happen at an appropriate point during the day – pupils should not
be sent during lesson time

 Please identify to the pupil who they are coming to see – which member of
the SST

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]

 The pupil will be rewarded with a sticker in their book and one for their
uniform

Class-based Rewards:

Teachers may also have their own way that they like to reward and recognise good
learning or good behaviour within their classes. Whilst the expectation is that whole
school agreed systems are used, other systems may also be adopted for the
recognition of whole classes or individual pupils.

Examples of these could include:
 Stickers for on their work or for their jumpers
 Raffle tickets
 Drawn star on the board
 Star of the week

SANCTIONS

At Blackthorn Academy our behaviour system is based on the 6Rs. There is an
expectation that all pupils remain within the ‘Green Pasture’, which means that they
are upholding our values and their behaviour for learning is GREAT!

If pupils make the wrong choices and choose not to uphold our values or their
behaviour for learning is not GREAT then they will enter the tiered behaviour system.

REFOCUS:
 A refocus card will be placed in front of a pupil if they are not demonstrating
the academy values or meeting the expectations for effective BfL
 At an appropriate time the CT or TA will discuss with the pupil the reason that
this was given
 This card will remain in front of the pupil until they are demonstrating the
required values or until the end of that lesson
 If the pupil is unable to refocus then they move to a period of ‘Reflection’

REFLECTION:
 This is a period of time working away from their peers at the ‘Reflection Station’
 The pupil will be expected to carry out their work from that lesson
 The pupil will remain at the ‘Reflection Station’ for the duration of the lesson
 At the end of the lesson it is an expectation that the CT meets with the pupil to
discuss their behaviour and re-establish expectations for the next lesson
 EYFS – Pupils will be sent to the ‘Reflection Station’ for period of 5 minutes (sand
timer to be used) before the pupil is spoken to by the CT and they are then
allowed to re-engage with their learning
 If the pupil continues to make the wrong choices and disrupt others learning
then they will be re-directed to another class (this will be agreed)

RE-DIRECTION:

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]

 This is a period of time away from their class with work set that will need to be
completed

 A TA will escort the pupil to their re-direction class/space – the TA will then
return to their classroom to continue their role in supporting pupil achievement

 The pupil will be re-directed for the duration of that lesson unless they continue
to disrupt the learning of others – if this is the case then a member of SST should
be called for

 At the end of the lesson the TA must collect the pupil and the CT must meet
with the pupil to discuss their behaviour and re-establish expectations for the
next lesson

TEACHER REPORT CARD:
 If a pupil is re-directed three times within a week then they will be placed on a
Teacher Report Card
 The class teacher must discuss this with their DoL in advance of issuing a
Teacher Report Card – the DoL will inform the SST via email
 Parents will be informed by the class teacher and the reasons for the report
card will be discussed
 The pupil will remain on report for a period of a week – at any point during this
week the CT and DoL could meet to escalate the behaviour monitoring system
– SST must be informed if this happens
 At the end of the week the CT, pupil and DoL will meet to discuss the report
card and agree the next steps – further monitoring through a DoL Report Card
or to return to the Green Pasture

DIRECTOR OF LEARNING (DoL) REPORT CARD:
 If the pupil continues to make the wrong choices once on a Teacher Report
Card then the pupil will be issued with a DoL Report Card – SST will be informed
via email
 The DoL will contact the parent/s and the reasons for the report card will be
discussed
 The pupil will remain on report for a period of a week – at any point during this
week the CT, DoL and Vice Principal (VP) could meet to escalate the
behaviour monitoring system – Principal must be informed if this happens
 At the end of the week the CT, pupil, DoL and VP will meet to discuss the
report card and agree the next steps – further monitoring through a VP/AP
Report Card or to return to the Green Pasture

VICE PRINCIPAL/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL REPORT CARD:
 If the pupil continues to make the wrong choices once on a DoL Report Card
then the pupil will be issued with a VP/AP Report Card – Principal will be
informed via email
 The VP will meet with the parent and the reasons for the report card will be
discussed
 The pupil will remain on report for a period of a week – at any point during this
week the CT, VP and Principal could meet to discuss the need for a fixed term
exclusion

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]

 At the end of the week the CT, pupil, DoL and VP will meet to discuss the
report card and agree the next steps – referral to the Principal or to return to
the Green Pasture

EXCLUSIONS

Where an incident, after due investigation and consideration of the circumstances and
after considering all other possibilities, warrants an external exclusion we work with the
CEO or designated executive of The Education Fellowship, Principal and Chair of
Governors, following government guidelines on exclusion of pupils.

Please note: Only the Principal or the Vice Principal in her absence can exclude or
send a pupil home from school

PERMANENT EXCLUSION

Only the Principal can take the decision to permanently exclude a child.
A decision to permanently exclude will only be taken in response to a serious breach, or
persistent breaches of the academies Behaviour Policy; and where allowing the child
to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others
in the school.

The following process would then take place:

 The Principal makes the decision to exclude
 A review of the decision by the CEO of The Education Fellowship must take

place within 15 days. They may decide to uphold the exclusion or direct the
pupil's reinstatement.
 A review by an Independent Review Panel. School Discipline (Pupil Exclusions
and Reviews)(England) Regulations 2012 came into force on 1st September
2012 and Independent Appeal panels were replaced by Independent Review
Panels. These panels have the power to uphold the decision of the responsible
body not to reinstate or recommend that the responsible body reconsiders its
decision.

In order to ensure that there is a consistent approach across the school, we will monitor
and evaluate the Behaviour Plan at the end of each short term.

SEVERE CLAUSE

If a pupil is not in a designated area then a member of the class team should observe
and use strategies to re-engage the pupil. In the first instance a Vice/
Assistant Principal should be informed by a member of staff or child bringing the red
triangle.

If a serious incident occurs in the classroom then some of the steps will be superseded
to keep staff and children safe and to ensure that an ordered learning environment is
maintained. If a child cannot calm down enough to leave a room safely then the other

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]

pupils should be moved and a SST member should be informed so that a decision can
be made on the action to be taken.

The Principal or Vice Principal in her absences will make a decision about the
consequences following the incident including the possibility of a fixed term exclusion.
Following any fixed term exclusion a reintegration meeting will take place and a
Pastoral Support Plan will be put together in order to aid the child's reintegration.

USE OF REASONABLE FORCE

Blackthorn Academy does not adopt a ‘no contact’ policy. In September 2012, the
Government released non-statutory guidance on the use of reasonable force in
schools.

It recognises that:
 School staff have a legal power to use force and lawful use of the power will
provide a defence to any related criminal prosecution or legal action.
 Suspension should not be an automatic response when a member of staff has
been accused of excessive force.
 Senior school leader should support their staff when they use this power.
www.education.gov.uk

Reasonable force will be used:
 to prevent pupils:
 injuring themselves or others
 damaging property
 causing disorder
 to control pupils
 to restrain pupils

At Blackthorn Academy the decision as to whether or not to physically intervene is
down to the professional judgement of the member of staff involved and will always
depends on the individual circumstances.

The list below is not exhaustive but provides some examples of situations where
reasonable force can be used

Blackthorn Academy might use reasonable force to:
 remove disruptive children from the classroom where they have refused to
follow an instruction to do so
 prevent a pupil behaving in a way that disrupts a school event or school trip or
visit
 prevent a pupil from leaving the classroom where allowing them to do so
would risk their safety or lead to behaviour that disrupts the behaviour of others
 prevent a pupil from attacking a member of staff or another pupil, or to stop a
fight
 restrain a pupil at risk of harming themselves through physical outbursts

Blackthorn Academy will not use force as a punishment. It is unlawful to do so.

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]

Please note that:
 Any member of staff who uses reasonable force on a pupil at Blackthorn
Academy will have received ‘Team Teach’ training
 Any incident that requires the use of force will be recorded within 24 hours and
given to the Principal
 Number of incidents will be monitored by the AAB
 Behaviours will be monitored using an ABC Recording Chart. A (antecedent –
event or thing that happened before the behaviour), B (behaviour that
presents itself) and C (consequence for behaviour)
 Where necessary a Behaviour Management Plan will be written for a pupil
where behaviour presents as a problem
 A Physical Handling Plan will be required for pupils where the use of force is
required on a frequent basis.

COMMUNICATION AND PARENTAL PARTNERSHIPS

We give high priority to clear communication within the school and to a positive
partnership with parents since these are crucial in promoting and maintaining high
standards of behaviour.

Where the behaviour of a child is giving cause for concern it is important that all those
working with the child in school are aware of those concerns, and of the steps which
are being taken in response. The key professional in this process of communication is
the class teacher who has the initial responsibility for the child's welfare. Early warning of
concerns should be communicated to the Principal so that strategies can be discussed
and agreed before more formal steps are required.

A positive partnership with parents is crucial to building trust and developing a common
approach to behaviour expectations and strategies for dealing with problems. Parental
participation in many aspects of school life is encouraged. This participation assists the
development of positive relationships in which parents are more likely to be responsive if
the school requires their support in dealing with difficult issues of unacceptable
behaviour.

The school will communicate policy and expectations to parents. Where behaviour is
causing concern parents will be informed at an early stage, and given an opportunity
to discuss the situation. Parental support will be sought in devising a plan of action
within this policy, and further disciplinary action will be discussed with the parents.

MONITORING

 When a pupil moves out of the Green Pasture this must be entered into the
yellow 6R monitoring book which is kept in the classroom.

 This information will be collated fortnightly onto an excel spread sheet by a
designated Admin Staff Member and then monitored by the SST.

 Records for pupils who have on-going serious behavioural concerns will be
kept in a red folder in the office.

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]

 When incidents have occurred and parents have been called into school a
record will be kept logging the date, time and nature of the incident. This is
also in a folder in the office alongside letters of exclusion.

 If there has been a Racist Incident a form must be completed and given to
the Principal. Incidents of this nature will be logged on the SIMS system and
letters sent to the parents of the victims and perpetrators.

Evidence of monitoring will be found in the following documents:

 6Rs/Exclusion Folder - this is kept in the office
 Ongoing Behaviour Concerns Folder - this is kept in the office
 The Lunchtime Behaviour Book - this is kept in the office
 The Yellow 6R Class Monitoring Book - this is kept in the classroom
 Racist Incident File - this is in the Assistant Principal’s office
 SIMS entries
 Bound and numbered Book- this is in the Assistant Principal’s (Ms McDougall)

office
 Positive Handling Plans
 Individual Behaviour Plans

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This policy should be read in conjunction with all policies and guidance including:

 Admissions Policy
 Attendance
 Safeguarding Policy
 P.S.H.E
 Keeping Children Safe in Education- Code of Conduct for Safer Practice.
 Teaching and Learning Policy

DfE Guidance (https://www.gov.uk):
 Ensuring good behaviour in schools
 Improving Attendance at Schools
 Behaviour and Discipline in Schools
 National Curriculum Framework December 2014(particularly sections 1-4)
 Teachers Standards
 School Exclusion Guidance
 Safeguarding in school best practice
 Ofsted guidance on the use of force, including restraint and the restriction of
liberty, in educational settings

Blackthorn Academy, Waingrove, Northampton, NN3 8EP. 01604 407254 [email protected]