BEHAVIOUR POLICY
AND
CODE OF CONDUCT
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
All matters of behaviour management are in the context of the school’s
pastoral care programme, the approach being positive, constructive and
encouraging. It is the policy of the school to create a secure and caring
environment, conducive to effective learning and personal development.
Pupils are encouraged to adopt responsible attitudes and values to enable
them to develop to their full potential with self-respect and respect for others.
St Mary’s strives at all times to maintain a harmonious and productive
atmosphere and so expects:
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courtesy and good manners;
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commitment to consistent hard work;
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a high standard of dress, punctuality and attendance;
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respect for school property.
Parental support and co-operation are actively sought in these matters.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
BEHAVIOUR
St Mary’s expects the highest standard of behaviour from its pupils while in
school and travelling to and from school. They must be courteous and cooperative at all times.
Thus all pupils will:
(i)
respect the authority of all staff including teaching, office, ancillary and
auxiliary staff and address them politely;
(ii)
co-operate with and respect the authority of prefects;
(iii)
respect the dignity of fellow pupils and show understanding and
tolerance of their differences;
(iv)
avoid using any form of vulgar or abusive language;
(v)
refrain from bullying and report any instances of bullying immediately;
(vi)
be punctual for class, registration and assembly;
(vii) behave with politeness, holding doors when appropriate and giving way
to adults;
(viii) walk in an orderly manner on the left hand side on corridors;
(ix)
knock politely on the classroom door before entering;
(x)
say Please, Thank-you, Sorry and Excuse Me as appropriate;
(xi)
keep mobile phones switched off during the school day.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES
Pupils must not use, have in their possession or be under the influence of
alcohol or any other prohibited substance. St Mary’s operates a strict no
smoking policy. The use or possession of any drug or drug paraphernalia
within school, on school visits or when wearing school uniform is strictly
forbidden.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
PROPERTY
The school insists that pupils must not tamper with other people’s property or
mishandle and abuse school property. Such abuse and theft of property will
be treated as a major breach of school rules.
Parents will be liable for any damage to property caused by a pupil.
To show due care and respect for the school grounds and property, pupils
will:
(i)
use the numerous litter bins provided;
(ii) eat and drink in the designated areas only at break and lunch-time;
(iii) not chew chewing gum;
(iv) not deface buildings, furniture and equipment;
(v) not use grass pitches/tennis courts without permission;
(vi) not participate in any form of vandalism, including abuse of ICT
resources;
(vii) not interfere with any safety equipment.
LEARNING
The school endeavours to create the best possible conditions and facilities for
learning. All pupils must:
(i)
bring the necessary textbooks and equipment to class;
(ii) be attentive and hardworking to achieve their maximum potential;
(iii) carefully record all homework and coursework, including deadlines, in the
Student Planner.
Parents are asked to check the Student Planner on a regular basis –
Form Teachers will also carry out a regular check.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
ATTENDANCE
Good attendance is essential for all pupils. Thus pupils will:
(i)
attend school regularly from 9.00am to 3.40pm;
(ii) make routine appointments (eg dental, medical) for after school or
during the school holidays. (Only emergency appointments should be
made for during school hours);
(iii) bring a written request from parents, in the Student Planner, if they must
leave school during the day;
(iv) seek permission to leave school for an appointment during school hours
from the Form Teacher or Head of Year;
(v) sign out at the General Office when leaving during school hours and
sign in again if they return on the same day;
(vi) have written permission from parent/guardian if they wish to go home for
lunch (Magherafelt pupils only);
(vii) bring a note in their Student Planner, signed by a parent/guardian to
explain any absence from school;
(viii) leave class only with the teacher’s permission - truancy from class will
be treated as a serious breach of school rules;
(ix) only use cloakroom areas at the designated times.
UNIFORM
All pupils who attend St Mary’s Grammar School are expected to take a pride
in their uniform, to wear the uniform with dignity and to maintain a high
standard of personal appearance. On each school day, travelling to and from
school, during examinations and when representing the school, pupils will:
(i)
wear their school uniform correct in every detail;
(ii) keep their uniform clean and tidy;
(iii) have all items of uniform clearly marked;
(iv) wear blazers at all times (at the discretion of the teacher during class);
(v) have a tidy appearance and follow the school regulations on hairstyles,
jewellery and dress
eg: Shaved hairstyles (less than Grade 3) are not permitted,
Flamboyantly coloured hair is not permitted,
Girls may wear one pair of small matched earrings,
Girls/boys may wear one ring;
(vi) obey all safety regulations with regard to being correctly dressed for
practical classes.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
CLASSIFICATION OF BEHAVIOUR
INTRODUCTION
St Mary’s seeks to provide an orderly and secure environment, conducive to
learning, which will allow for the spiritual, emotional and intellectual
development of each pupil. School rules are designed to develop qualities of
self-respect, self-discipline and respect for other people and their property. A
high standard of conduct, courtesy and good manners is expected.
It is school policy to approach the management of behaviour as positively as
possible and to treat all pupils with dignity and respect. School rules may, on
occasion, appear restrictive to pupils but are necessary for the common good
since ongoing disruptive behaviour on the part of one pupil is an infringement
of the rights of other pupils.
The purpose of each school rule is explained to pupils by their Form
Teacher/Tutor at the start of each term and reinforced on frequent occasions
throughout the school year.
The Code of Practice on Special Educational Needs (DENI 1998) requires
that, as well as applying appropriate sanctions for persistent misbehaviour,
schools should also implement strategies aimed at alleviating the behavioural
difficulty. When it is considered appropriate the school will access support
from external agencies such as Educational Psychology and Education
Welfare.
The school requires the full support of parents in encouraging children
to abide by all school rules and procedures.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
EXAMPLES OF EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR
 Willing to help staff and other pupils
 Exceptionally good classwork/homework/coursework
 Significant academic progress
 Excellent test results
 Sporting achievements
 Participation in local/national competitions
 Assisting at school functions
 Involvement in fund-raising activities
 Handing in valuables which have been found
 Consistently good behaviour
To be recognised by Class Teacher/Form Teacher/Head of Year/Key
Stage Leader/Vice-Principal or Principal, as appropriate, by use of some
of the following rewards:
 Verbal praise
 Mark in Conduct Profile/House Points
 Congratulations/Thank You Card
 Certificate of Excellence/House Merit Certificate
 Prizegiving Award
 Recognition at Assembly
 Photographic displays
 Selection as prefect
 Celebratory event
Pupils should keep a record of significant achievements in their Student
Planner.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
EXAMPLES OF MINOR BREACHES OF SCHOOL RULES
 Creating unnecessary noise on corridors or in classrooms
 Dropping litter
 Forgetting to bring books/equipment to class
 Homework not done or incomplete
 Incomplete/untidy uniform
 Misuse of equipment
 Inattentive in class
 Lack of good manners/lack of respect/over-familiarity
 Late for class/registration/assembly
To be dealt with by Class Teacher/Form Teacher, as appropriate, by use
of some of the following sanctions:
 Verbal correction
 Mark in Conduct Profile
 Note in Student Planner for parent/guardian to sign
 Lunchtime detention
Form Teacher to be kept informed.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
EXAMPLES OF SERIOUS BREACHES OF SCHOOL RULES
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Repeated incidences of Minor Breaches of School Rules
Disruption to class or refusal to obey instructions
Water-bombing
Fighting (not amounting to assault)
Gross indifference/apathy or refusal to work
Insolence/cheek to teachers
Bullying behaviour eg name-calling, hitting, exclusion or extortion
Non-conformity to previous sanctions
Smoking
Truancy from class
Leaving school during the day without teacher permission
Use of foul language
Vandalism
Abuse of ICT facilities
 Use of mobile phones during the school day
To be dealt with by Class Teacher/Form Teacher/Head of Department or
Head of Year, as appropriate, by use of some of the following sanctions:
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Movement of pupil to another part of the classroom
Withdrawal of pupil to another room
Referral to Head of Department
Loss of access to facilities eg Internet
Withdrawal of privileges
Note in Student Planner for parent/guardian to sign
Referral to Form Teacher/Head of Year/Key Stage Leader
Detention (approved by Vice-Principal)
Telephone call or letter to parent/guardian
Internal Suspension (pupil withdrawn from classes for half day of full day
and required to complete set work under supervision)
 On Daily Report
 Mobile phones confiscated until collected by parents/guardians
 Temporary withdrawal of pupil from school
Form Teacher/Head of Year to be kept informed.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
EXAMPLES OF MAJOR BREACHES OF SCHOOL RULES
 Repeated incidences of Serious Breaches of School Rules
 Cyberbullying
 Possession or use or being under the influence of drugs including
alcohol
 Physical violence (amounting to an assault on a fellow pupil)
 Physical violence to a member of staff
 Verbal abuse or threat to a member of staff
 Behaviour which threatens the safety of pupils and/or staff
 Theft or serious vandalism of property, including intentional damage to
computer systems
 Misuse of mobile phones
 Bringing the school into disrepute
Major Breaches of School Rules will be referred immediately to the Head
of Year. Form Teachers will be kept informed. Each incident will be
investigated and, if necessary, referred to the Key Stage Leader/VicePrincipal. The Principal, if appropriate, will refer the matter to the Board
of Governors. Parents/guardians may be required to meet with the VicePrincipal or Principal.
Note
 When deciding on a sanction, the pupil’s previous behaviour record will
be taken into account.
 A suspension/exclusion from school may be considered in accordance
with the School Policy.
 If a pupil engages in an act of violence against the person or property of
a member of the school staff, or to an immediate member of the
member of staff’s family, at any time whether inside or outside school,
disciplinary action will be taken against the pupil which may include
consideration of the option to expel (NEELB 11 March 2002).
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
SCHOOL PROCEDURES
ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY
Parents are requested to contact the school before 9:30am if their
son/daughter is unable to attend. Pupils who arrive after 9:15am should sign
in at the General Office before going to class.
BUSES
Pupils should familiarise themselves with the procedure for travelling home by
bus and observe teachers’ and prefects’ instructions. Pupils must board
buses at the school and remain in the school grounds while they are waiting
for their bus.
SUMMARY OF PROGRESS REPORT
Teachers or parents can seek a ‘Summary of Progress Report’ if it is judged
to be necessary. Where there is concern, an individual pupil may be put ‘on
Report’ so that conduct and application can be closely monitored each period
for a fortnight.
DETENTION
Detention is held on Mondays from 3:45pm to 4:45pm. Pupils in detention
should await the supervising teacher at the door of D1.
MEDICAL ROOM/MEDICINE
Pupils who feel ill should obtain permission from their Class Teacher or Form
Teacher and should, accompanied by another pupil, report to the School
Nurse at the medical room. If parents want pupils to take prescription
medicine during school hours or on school trips, the instructions should be
clearly written and given to the School Nurse/Trip Leader.
FIRE DRILLS
In the interests of safety, pupils must be aware of the fire drill. On hearing the
alarm bell, pupils must leave the building immediately by the route indicated in
each classroom and proceed promptly to the assembly point. If the fire bell
sounds during lunch or break, pupils should leave the buildings by the nearest
exit and proceed to the assembly point.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)
Behaviour Policy & Code of Conduct
APPENDIX 1
THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS OF PUPILS
Pupils have a responsibility to:
 come to school on time, with homework done, and suitably equipped for
the lessons in the day ahead;
 respect the views, rights and property of the school and others, and
behave safely in and out of class;
 co-operate in class with the teacher;
 work as hard as they can in class;
 conform to the conventions of good behaviour and abide by school
rules;
 seek help if they do not understand or are in difficulties;
 accept ownership for their own behaviour and learning and develop the
skill of working independently.
Pupils have a right to:
 be valued as members of the school community;
 receive help when they seek it, whether with their work or with bullying
behaviour or other personal worries;
 make mistakes and learn from them;
 be treated fairly, consistently and with respect;
 be taught in a pleasant, well-managed and safe environment;
 work and play within clearly defined and fairly administered codes of
conduct;
 experience a broad, balanced and suitably differentiated curriculum, and
to have special learning needs identified and met;
 opportunities to develop and extend their interests, talents and abilities.
St Mary’s Grammar School - (September 2014)