Children need to be in an environment where they feel safe and secure, this is essential if they are to learn effectively and develop a responsible attitude toward others. Clearly defined rules and expectations contribute to the establishment of such an environment at Belmont. We set a positive example ourselves as teachers, staff, parents and governors in the way we care, share, co-operate and show kindness and respect towards one another. To support positive behaviour, we work to increase children’s self esteem. This is achieved through having shared vocabulary used by staff to empower children to deal with difficult situations, regular praise and explicit discussions about what children are doing that is so good/helpful and an agreed and regularly referred to set of rules.
At Belmont Infants we follow the Golden Rules:
We are kind and helpful
We listen to each other
We work hard
We are honest
We look after things at school
We set a good example
At Belmont Juniors we follow the Belmont Way:
We follow instructions
We are kind
We try our best
We encourage the whole school community to establish these rules by asking that all adults constantly reinforce and model them. We endeavor to ensure that these rules are inherent in the children’s understanding of themselves. If we all praise children using the words of the rules then everyone in the school community will be reinforcing the same message. We want our children to think of themselves as gentle, kind, honest, hard working, careful and good listeners.
All children have the right to feel safe and secure in school. Bullying is very serious. Staff parents and children need to use the term bullying appropriately.
We define bullying as 'Repeated, intentional singling out of a child by another child or group of children using physical or verbal abuse, or threats made to control another child through a variety of intimidatory practices'.
Staff are experienced in identifying early signs of bullying practices. If they have any concerns, parents will be invited to meet with the class teacher initially or with the Headteacher and/or an Inclusion Manager if more serious problems occur. Targets are set and strategies devised working with parents to support the children to change the anti-social behaviour.
Anti-bullying
Preventing and tackling bullying is an important focus in our school, especially given recent DfE guidance highlighting that 1/3 of all abuse suffered by children falls into the ‘peer on peer abuse’ category.
One of our key areas of work has been ensuring all staff and pupils understand what bullying is.
repeated over time
intentional
hurtful (physically or emotionally) and
involves an imbalance of power.
We have ensured that our reporting procedures are rigorous and discussed the importance of avoiding using language that labels children i.e. victim or bully. We are all aiming for a school where bullying doesn't happen, but must also remember that bullying is a behaviour that can be changed.