Behaviour Policy
At Blue River we recognise that inappropriate behaviour and aggression can often be a major
obstacle in the progress of the student. Research by the National Centre for Teacher Quality found
that “The ability of teachers to effectively manage behaviour is critical to achieving positive
educational outcomes”. We further understand that it is often the mismanagement of the symptoms
and root causes of such behaviour and lack of early intervention that can trigger actions which
become barriers to learning. Blue River recognises the importance and responsibility of constructing
and monitoring the environmental setting of our provision that in itself encourages and rewards
positive behaviour. Every pupil is informed and must sign to agree with the rules laid out in our
policies. Students are regularly mentored to discover what issues trigger their misbehaviour.
Inappropriate behaviour is challenged early and strategies and actions are agreed to overcome these
issues. Blue River require our students improve through not just instruction but also by reflecting
upon the consequences of their actions and realising the potential he/ she may achieve in the
absence of such behaviour.
Blue River provides one-to-one support and generally maintains a high staff to student ratio which
ensures a concentrated delivery of teaching and learning not only in the classroom but in the
ongoing support outside of the classroom.
Blue River Academy receives students via referral but does not have provision for ‘statemented’
pupils.
Before Student interviews
Discover if the student is ‘statemented.’
Information regarding behaviour and additional issues is gathered from previous provisions
Decision is made whether to invite student for interview.
Initial interview and assessment
Student is interviewed usually with placement officer and parent/carer present.
Student completes forms verbally(written by staff member). Blue River gathers as much information
as possible about student’s personality, views and aspirations via induction and questionnaire forms.
ILP is used to identify any underlying issues which may prove to be barriers of learning
Behaviour Environmental Plan completed by Subject Tutor after initial assessment of pupils. This
pro-active approach minimises potential disruption and produces an environment conducive to
teaching and learning.
Ongoing Assessment
Behaviour Records are completed daily by tutor, separately for each pupil. Comments are made
(positive and negative) on the behaviour of the student that day. A score out of ten is recorded. The
scores are totalled up at the end of the week.
Scores for top students are posted on the wall and the students with highest scores each month
receive incentives. These include being named “Student of the Month” and being allowed to
represent the other students during Blue River Academy management meetings.
Students are supervised at all times. There should be at least two staff members with students.
Behaviour Environmental Plans are regularly reviewed in staff meetings to ensure any additional
issues are highlighted and dealt with.
Levels of Consequence
C1 – Verbal warnings from tutor
C2 – Second verbal warning
C3 – Personal Development Plan (PDP) is agreed or detention is issued
C4 – Internal Exclusion
C5 – Written warning
C6 – Final warning
C1 Verbal warnings are noted on Daily Behaviour Forms. Tutors must be calm and decisive when
issuing verbal warning. Examples of where a C1 warning should be communicated
-
Poor Attendance
Punctuality issues
Not respecting authority, visitors or volunteers
Not respecting class or group members
Use of inappropriate language
Disruptive behaviour
Failure to follow instructions
Inappropriate behaviour at break/lunch time
Inappropriate behaviour on activities
Not respecting faculties and resources
Criminalor anti social behaviour
C2A second verbal warning is given for persistent issues similar to C1
C3The following behaviour will result in C3 action being taken (ie. student placed on a personal
development plan)
-
Continued rudeness e.g. chatting back to a teacher or other adult, talking whilst teacher is
talking, making comments to other pupils which cause them to react.
Continual shouting out
-
Continual disobeying instructions of a teacher or other adult
Continual inappropriate behaviour for example moving around without permission,
throwing pens or paper across the room
Not properly equipped for a lesson
Failure to complete satisfactorily class work, homework or coursework
Being late and disrupting of lessons
Deliberately offensive language for example swearing, racist/sexist comments or innuendo
etc
Students that are put on PDP will go through the following procedure with their Focus Tutor:-
-
Tutor to explain to the student that the PDP is meant to help them
Tutor to highlight re-occurring issues, explain these issues to the student and give the
student an opportunity to explain why the issue is happening to help identify any underlying
issues.( For example I was late because my mother wanted me to take my little sister to
school.)* some underlying issues for misbehaviour may relate to child protection issues.
These issues will be confidentiallycompleted on a separate form and submitted directly to
the child protection officer.
Tutor will discuss and agree targets with pupil, setting target dates. (For example, I will not
swear in class.)
Tutor will discuss and agree strategies with student to help solve the issue. (For example, I
will pay £1 in the swear jar every time I swear.)
This document will be signed by both the student and the tutor.
C4A C4 is awarded if the student is unsuccessful in their PDP review or for direct challenges to the
authority of Blue River staff. C4 is only issued when the challenges to authority are over and above
the reasons listed in C3. A pupil will be excluded from the lesson and will be unable to return until
they have been seen by the head tutor. The excluded pupil should be sent to the Focus Room by the
Focus Tutor. Pupils should not leave until a C4 Behaviour Incident Form is completed the Focus Tutor
will put this in the students file. Students may continue their classroom work in the Focus Room until
they are met by the Head Tutor.
The Head Tutor will review the behaviour records such as the PDP and the C4 Behaviour Incident
Form. The Head Tutor will decide the next course of action which will be documented on the
Behaviour Incident Form.
C5Written warnings maybe written further to a C4 Behaviour incident Form being completed or for
the following reasons below
-
Bullying
Physical or verbal intimidation of staff or pupils
Misuse of internet facilities
Persistent behaviour relating to C3
Failure to attend a detention
Writing graffiti
-
Any other serious concerns not mentioned
Fighting
If a student is involved in a C5 level incident the student will be internally isolated and parents will
be called for a parents meeting with Head Tutor. A parent meeting form will be completed.
C6A final written warning will lead to a multi-agency approach to decide on the appropriate next
steps. Pupils learn best in a safe, secure and supportive environment and Blue River does have a
duty of care to all its pupils.
In the event that Blue River decides a more permanent move to another provision might be best, no
decisions will be made without discussions with all concerned parties
Blue River does not have a policy of recording permanent exclusions. We understand that many of
our students may come from troubled backgrounds and not every placement may work out for the
best. Blue River always liaises with the referring agency and ensures we put the pupils individual
needs first.
Classroom rules and behaviour procedures are put on the wall of the classroom. Letters explaining
our procedures are sent to parents. Blue River policies are kept on our website Blue River staff are
regularly trained in managing behaviour and our procedures are regularly updated.
Last reviewed: March 2012