It is the policy in Bridge
Integrated PS that:
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Children have the right to
play in a safe, stable and
supervised environment.
Parents have the right to
expect that their children
will be safe while at school.
Teachers and other staff
have the right to expect
that the playground is a safe
and peaceful place to work.
Both girls and boys have
equal access to the
playground resources and
spaces.
Children know the areas that
are 'Out of Bounds' and are
aware of the importance of
caring for each other in the
playground.
Children have access to both
active play spaces and quiet
areas.
All children are responsible
for the cleanliness of the
playground.
All staff will maintain
confidentiality when dealing
with playground issues.
Our expectations of playground
behaviour
At all times we expect pupils to play
safely and sensibly, avoiding the use of
bad language, inappropriate gestures,
rough or aggressive play, play fighting
and the exclusion of other pupils. Pupils
must play only in the permitted areas,
and will recognise that some zones in
the playground are quiet areas, where
children can read, chat, draw and play
trading games and board games.
Everyone will have opportunities to
enjoy playing with the playground games,
and will share in the giving out and
tidying up of the games on the days that
they are in use.
Toilets and Cloakrooms
The toilets and cloakrooms are not part
of the playground environment. Children
must not access these areas for play.
Pupils are expected to use the toilet
facilities appropriately and to respect
the fixtures and fittings in these areas.
Toilet tissue and hand towels must not
be wasted!
Children should not interfere with
another child’s belongings, eg hiding,
damaging or stealing it. Pupil’s property
should be clearly labelled with their
name and class. Children must not
bring valuable items to school.
Managing Playground Behaviour
Recognising and Rewarding Positive
Behaviour
We use a range of strategies to
promote and encourage positive play.
These strategies are; verbal
recognition, well done vouchers (P4 –
P7), earning of golden-time, extra play
time, excellence awards and the Muriel
Gordon Cup.
Managing Inappropriate Behaviour –
Sanctions
In the majority of cases, the following
sanctions will be applied in the order
listed. We will take account as
necessary of the age and degree of
maturity of the pupil, and any Special
Educational Needs he or she may have,
their home background and any other
relevant circumstances. Sanctions
should be fully understood by all
parties, should be applied fairly and
consistently, as soon after the offence
as possible in a calm and measured
manner.
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A quiet chat outlining how
behaviour is not acceptable,
followed by an apology, either
written or verbal.
‘Time Out’ in the playground
Loss of privileges such as golden
time or break time play
Referral to a senior member of
staff
Lunch time detention
Two cases of lunchtime
detention in a half term will
result in contact with parents by
the class teacher
Principal will contact parents,
either in writing or by telephone
call
After School Detention (P4 –
P7) for 30 minutes
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Following 2 After School
Detentions in a half term,
parents will be requested to
attend a meeting with the class
teacher and Principal
Serious or on-going unacceptable
playground behaviour may result
in suspension or expulsion
following Department of
Education guidelines.
Expectations of behaviour in the
playground will be shared explicitly with
pupils at the beginning of the year, and
will be reinforced at regular intervals
through assembly, circle time, PD&MU
lessons and day-to-day classroom
management. Parents will be informed
via a flyer issued at the beginning of the
academic year of our expectations of
playground behaviour, and how we
promote positive play, and staff will be
advised of procedures during Staff
Development days and at appropriate
intervals.
What Parents Can do to Help
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Be familiar with the expectations
the school has of playground
behaviour
Be supportive of the school if it is
necessary to apply sanctions for
inappropriate behaviour
Approach the issue of playground
squabbles sensibly and calmly;
encourage children not to blow such
issues out of proportion
Encourage children to play
appropriately in the playground,
taking account of the needs and
rights of others
Re-iterate the school message that
using bad language is totally
unacceptable.
Contact the class teacher first to
arrange a meeting if there are any
concerns.
Procedures for Supervision in Bridge Integrated Primary School
Before School ie 8.50am – 9.00am
At least 2 members of staff will be on duty in the P1 – P3 playground each morning from
8.50am until 9.00am.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SUPERVISION IS NOT PROVIDED UNTIL 8.50AM AND
CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE IN SCHOOL BEFORE THIS TIME.
Break time play
P1 pupils will play between 10.20am and 10.40am and will be supervised by at least two
classroom assistants and one teacher.
P2 – P7 will play between 10.40am and 10.55pm and will be supervised by at least one teacher
and two classroom assistants.
Lunchtime
P1 – P3 pupils will play between 12.15pm and 12.45pm and will be supervised by at least three
supervisors in each playground.
P4 – P7 will play between 12.45pm and 1.30pm and will be supervised by at least six
supervisors.
After school supervision
In P1 – P3 teachers and classroom assistants dismiss children into the care of a known adult,
once they have made themselves known to the teacher. Children must be collected promptly
at 2.00pm as teachers have afternoon classes to teach.
P4 – P7 pupils are dismissed from their classrooms at 3.00pm by their teachers. Two
teachers are on duty at this time, one at the back gate and one at the front of the school.
Parents are requested to wait at the front of the school ie the fence around the P1 P3 playground to collect older children. Are not allowed to wait for parents outside the
school gates – please collect your child in the school grounds. Thank you.
Children Due to Health and Safety concerns dogs should not be brought into the school
grounds – thank you.
Reporting and Recording Accidents
Following an accident in the playground, any major injuries will be recorded on the school’s
accident forms. Head injuries, significant cuts or scrapes and potential damage to bones or
muscles will be reported to parents by telephone, as soon as is practically possible, on the day
that the accident has occurred. This phone call will be logged, and a note taken as to
whether or not parents wish to attend school to examine their child’s injury. In the event of
an emergency, whereby medical attention is required, the local surgery or ambulance service
(if appropriate) will be contacted by school, prior to parents being called.
It would be appreciated if all parents would refrain from entering the school through
the cloakrooms. All visitors to the school, for whatever purpose, must enter via the
front doors and sign in at reception. Due to Child Protection Procedures, this must be
strictly adhered to.