LOUGHQUITTANE NATIONAL SCHOOL CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
This Code of Behaviour has been devised by the staff of Loughquittane National School in consultation with the members of the Board of Management, and the parents committee. It was revised during the second term of the 2019/20 school year.
Rationale
This review of the Code of Behaviour was to ensure that it is in compliance with legal requirements and good practice as set out in Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools, NEWB, 2008. Loughquittane Anti-Bullying Policy has been drafted within the framework of this Code of Behaviour.
Schools are obliged, under the Education Welfare Act, 2000, Section 23 (1), to prepare a Code of Behaviour in respect of the students registered at the school. It details in Section 23(2), that the code of behaviour shall specify:
1. The standards of behaviour that shall be observed by each student attending the school;
2. The measures that shall be taken when a student fails or refuses to observe those standards;
3. The procedures to be followed before a student may be suspended or expelled from the school concerned;
4. The grounds for removing a suspension imposed in relation to a student; and
5. The procedures to be followed in relation to a child’s absence from school.
Relationship to Characteristic Ethos
Loughquittane N.S. seeks to enable each child to develop his/her potential in a caring environment where the talents of each child are nurtured and valued. The school climate and atmosphere are created by the actions and behaviour of everyone in the school. The behaviour of adults in a child’s life, including parents and teachers, is a significant influence on how a child acts. The Code will be most effective where there is a high level of openness and co-operation between staff, parents and pupils. A clear understanding among all the partners of the standards of behaviour required and the procedures to be adopted where there are breaches of the Code also helps ensure a harmonious environment where all can work effectively.
Therefore we have adopted a positive Code of Behaviour with emphasis on respect, encouragement and praise so that good behaviour can prevail at Loughquittane N.S.
Aims
In devising this Code, consideration has been given to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. The aim is to create an ordered and orderly environment in which pupils can, through developing self-discipline, feel secure and make progress in all aspects of their development. This Code of Behaviour describes the school’s expectations about how each member of the school community will help to make the school a good place for teaching and learning. Every effort will be made by all members of staff to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school and the over-riding aims will be:
• To promote self-esteem, positive relationships, good behaviour and self-discipline;
• To foster a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in pupils based on respect, consideration and tolerance of others;
• To create a positive learning environment that encourages and reinforces good behaviour:;
• To ensure the safety and well being of all members of the school community;
• To assist the parents and children in understanding the systems and procedures that form part of this Code and to seek their involvement in its implementation;
• To ensure that the system of rules, rewards and sanctions are implemented in a fair and consistent manner throughout the school;
Whole School Approach to Promoting Positive Behaviour
The Board of Management and the Principal have overall responsibility for the implementation and on-going monitoring of this policy. However, all staff members have responsibility for their own classes and for the general school population when on yard duty or on any organised out-of-school activity. Senior students have a role to play and parents or other members of the school community may make suggestions through their Parents’ Association or directly to the Principal. The school values the support and co-operation of parents in the promotion of this strategy. It is the policy of this school to actively promote good behaviour.
Board of Management
The Board of Management is expected to
• Provide a comfortable, safe environment;
• Support the Principal and staff in implementing the Code;
• Ratify the Code;
• Ensure the Code is communicated to the whole school community.
The Principal is expected to:
• Promote a positive climate in the school
• Ensure that the Code of Behaviour is implemented in a fair and consistent manner.
• Arrange for a review of the Code as required.
• To facilitate new members of staff to become familiar with practices within the school, discussion regarding the implementation of this Code will always form part of the first staff meeting held each September.
• A copy of the Code will be available to parents and teachers on the school website or from the office.
Teachers are expected to:
• implement the school’s Code of Behaviour in a fair and consistent manner;
• keep record of serious misbehaviour or repeated instance s of misbehaviour;
• provide support for colleagues.
• At the beginning of each school year, the class teacher will discuss and agree “class rules” with the children. Class rules will be kept to a minimum and emphasise positive behaviour. Rules will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, with due regard to the age and the individual needs of the pupils.
• Teachers will use various strategies to promote good behaviour including – praise, modelling, star/reward charts, stickers, homework passes, group behaviour targets, extra responsibilities in class and in the school, singling out for exceptional worthwhile achievements and efforts, and other incidental means of praise or reward.
Parents are expected to
• Familiarize themselves and cooperate with the school in the implementation of this Code of Behaviour
• communicate to the school any issues which may impact of their child’s behaviour
• arrange a meeting to discuss any difficulties
School Rules:
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, parents and pupils. Every effort will be made to ensure that the Code of Behaviour is implemented in a reasonable, fair and consistent manner. The limits of behaviour are clearly defined and children become familiar with the consequences of behaviour beyond these limits. The over-riding principle governing this Code is
respect – respect for ourselves and others; our own and others’ property and the environment.
In order to achieve a happy, healthy and safe working environment, where a sense of mutual respect is fostered, every pupil is expected to keep the following rules.
A. Respect and Courtesy
All pupils are expected to treat staff and fellow pupils with respect and courtesy. Inappropriate behaviour such as rough play, bad language, fighting, personal remarks, pushing, kicking, and spitting will not be tolerated.
School property and the property of others should be respected.
B. Bullying is repeated aggression or undesirable attention from an individual or group, and is not tolerated. Bullying will be dealt with according to the Anti-Bullying Policy.
C. Dress Code
Pupils are required to wear the complete uniform and appropriate footwear except on the designated P.E. day.
Girls: Navy pinafore /skirt/ tailored trousers, blue shirt,(not polo shirt) navy cardigan/jumper and school tie
Boys: Navy trousers, blue shirt, Navy jumper and school tie.
Hair should be neat and tidy.
The school track suit, blue polo shirt and runners are worn on P.E. days.
C. Healthy Lunches
See Healthy Eating Policy which is available from the school office or on the school website.
D. Homework
See homework policy on the website or in the office.
• Homework is expected to be well done to the best of the pupil’s ability, clean and neat.
• Checking and signing by parents/guardians on a daily basis is recommended.
• Incomplete homework must be explained in writing by a parent/guardian.
E. Attendance
• Each child is expected to be in school at 9.00a.m., when class begins. Children need to be collected promptly at 1:40pm (infants) and 2:40pm (1st – 6th).
• Pupils are expected to be present every day as per Attendance Strategy Statement. A written note is expected to explain all absences. Parents/ Guardians are expected to communicate the reasons for the non-attendance of their child at Loughquittane N.S. Such notes are an important part of the record keeping done to fulfill the requirements of reporting to Túsla.
• Pupils leaving school early must be collected from the classroom.
F. Movement throughout the school/ school grounds
• Entering and leaving the school must be done in an orderly manner.
• Pupils are asked to stand back and allow adults to pass.
• Children walk in classrooms and on corridors.
G. Break-times
• Classroom/corridor/yard supervisors are to be obeyed at all times.
• Permission must be granted by the teacher on duty to re-enter the school building during the breaks.
• During inclement weather pupils remain indoors in their classrooms and may play with the games provided, read or watch a programme as selected by the teacher.
H. Mobile Phones
The school has a strict policy on the use of mobile phones. They are strictly forbidden in school but may be brought in, switched off and given to the class teacher immediately upon arrival in school to be returned at the end of the school day. This is only in exceptional circumstances and where prior permission has been granted by the class teacher.
Children with Special Educational Needs
All children are required to comply with the code of behaviour. However the school recognises that some children with SEN may require assistance in following rules. Individualised behaviour plans will be put in place in consultation with the class teacher, SET, parent, principal and/or psychologist.
Peers may be taught strategies to assist a pupil with SEN adhere to the rules, and thus provide peer support in a supportive and safe way.
System for acknowledging good behaviour, progress and effort.
Good behaviour is praised in a number of ways.
A. For Individuals, good behaviour may be acknowledged as follows:
• A quiet word or gesture to show approval;
• A word of praise in front of group/class
• A mention to the principal;
• A comment/smiley/sticker in the exercise book and / or homework diary;
• A mention to parents(verbal or written);
• A treat e.g. if terms of a behaviour contract are fulfilled.
B. Group/Class
A Group/Class treat such as:
• Homework Pass
• Movie
• Extra Time given to Art / P.E.
• Extra playtime
• For groups within a class a system of merit marks
• A mention to the principal
• A mention to parents
Consequences of unacceptable behaviour:
The purpose of a sanction is to bring about a change in behaviour, to help pupils learn that a behaviour is unacceptable, to recognise the consequences of their actions, and to take responsibility. Sanctions also signal to pupils and staff that their wellbeing is being protected and they reinforce the boundaries set out in this Code of Behaviour.
Teacher can decide on one or more of the following as deemed appropriate to the misbehaviour:
1. Reasoning (making clear what/why behaviour was unacceptable) and Reprimand;
2. Letter of apology to the injured party
3. Loss of privilege / weekend homework
4. Referral to Principal/Deputy;
5. Communication with parent
6. Withdrawal from class temporarily to ‘time out’ area of classroom;
7. Withdrawal from class temporarily to another classroom
8. Losses and damage caused must be made good in all cases;
9. Suspension/expulsion in accordance with Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools as amended in the Education Welfare Act 2020..
When and where will behaviour be subjected to the Code of Behaviour?
Standards and rules in the Code of Behaviour will apply to all situations where the pupils are the responsibility of the school. This includes activities not within the school grounds.
Suspension
Before serious sanctions such as suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilised. Communication with parents may be verbal or by letter depending on the circumstances.
For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, suspension may be considered. Parents concerned will be invited to come to the school to discuss their child’s case.
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, teacher and the principal. If the parents (and the pupil) do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future the pupil may be suspended for a period. Prior to suspension, where possible, the Principal may review the case in consultation with teachers and other members of the school community involved, with due regard to records of previous misbehaviours, their pattern and context, sanctions and other interventions used and their outcomes and any relevant medical information. Suspension will be in accordance with the Rules for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.
In the case of gross misbehaviour, where it is necessary to ensure that order and discipline are maintained and to secure the health and safety of pupils and teachers, the Board has deferred responsibility to the Principal to sanction an immediate suspension for a period not exceeding three school days, pending a discussion of the matter with the parents.
Further suspensions will require Board of Management approval. This approval may be obtained at a regular meeting of the Board or at an emergency meeting at which the Chairperson and Principal have outlined for the Board the reasons why they feel it is necessary to impose a further suspension. In line with the requirements of the Education Welfare Act (2000), the Board of Management will inform the Education Welfare Board when any pupil’s period of suspension equals or exceeds six school days.
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 (and pupil) must give a satisfactory undertaking that a suspended pupil will behave in accordance with the school code 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 and will not have a seriously detrimental effect on the education of other pupils. 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.
Expulsion
The Board of Management has the authority to expel a pupil in an extreme case e.g. where repeated incidents of serious misbehaviour interfere with the educational opportunities of fellow students or where there is a threat to the health and safety of either students or staff. Where expulsion is considered the school authorities will have tried a range of other interventions and will have formed the opinion that they have exhausted all possibilities for changing the pupil’s behaviour. This sanction would be imposed under the terms of the Education Welfare Act (2000). Suspension/expulsion procedures are in accordance with the Education Act (1998).
Before/After School
Parents are reminded that the staff of the school do not accept responsibility for pupils before official opening time of 8.50a.m. and after the official closing time of 1.40p.m. (infants) or 2.40p.m. (1st -6th classes) except where pupils are either waiting for the bus or engaged in an extra-curricular activity organised by the school and approved by the Board of Management. Pupils involved in such activities are expected to behave in accordance with school behaviour policy during these times.
Appeals
Under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, parents (or pupils who have reached the age of 18) are entitled to appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science against some decisions of the Board of Management, including (1) permanent exclusion from a school and (2) suspension for a period which would bring the cumulative period of suspension to 20 school days or longer in any one school year. Appeals must generally be made within 42 calendar days from the date the decision of the school was notified to the parent or student. (See Circular 22/02)
Reference to other Policies
The Code of Behaviour influences the following policies-
• SPHE plan
• Anti-bullying
• Statement of Strategy for School Attendance
• Enrolment
• Healthy Eating
• Special Educational Needs
• Homework
Success Criteria
• This policy will be deemed to be successful when the following are observed:
• Positive behaviour in class rooms, playground and school environment.
• Practices and procedures listed in this policy being consistently implemented by teachers
• Positive feedback from teachers, parents and pupils.
Review
The code will be discussed at staff meetings, by the PA and reviewed biannually.
The Code of Behaviour for Loughquittane N.S. was ratified by the Board of Management
Chairperson: __________________ Principal: __________________
Date: ____________ Date: ________________