Behaviour Matters

Rewards and Sanctions  

Edmonton County School seeks to recognise and acknowledge positive behaviour for learning and reward students who exhibit model behaviour and increase the motivation of all students to succeed. At ECS we seek to promote and reinforce our expectations of students by employing opportunities to celebrate and reward positive behaviour for learning.   

Students will be rewarded when they are displaying positive behaviour for learning in class. Teachers are expected to monitor students’ behaviour and catch them ‘doing the right thing.’  Praise that teachers should employ includes:  

• Positive feedback in students’ books  
• Verbal praise and thanks  
• Communication home in the students’ learning journal 
• A ‘well done’ praise text home  

• A positive phone call home  
• A positive post-card home  
• Recognition in the student celebration assemblies  
• Certificates for effort, achievement and contribution to school life
• Half termly prize draws for students who have accumulated a high number of positive lesson scores

In order for students to derive maximum benefit from school, we expect students to follow a ‘Code of Conduct’ which states that: “Every member of the school community has the right to feel that they are in a safe and secure environment. Teachers have the right to teach, and students have the right to learn.”  

All students agree to:  

• Attend school punctually  
• Wear the correct uniform at all times  
• Behave in a manner that shows respect for the community and for one another  
• Work hard and enable others to work hard too  

• Work cooperatively and to the best of their ability  
• Do as they are asked and behave with dignity at all times  
• Follow instructions the first time, every time  
• Treat members of the wider local community with respect and consideration.  

The school has 7 ‘Good Behaviours’ that students are expected to 'show' at all times:

1. Show me that you are ready to come into the classroom  

2. Show me that you are ready for learning  

3. Show me that you are listening (once the lesson starts and teacher instructs)  

4. Show me that you are following instructions the first time, every time  

5. Show me that it is your turn to speak  

6. (For group work) Show me that you are listening to each other  

7. Show me that you are (at the end of the lesson) ready to leave the room.  

In lessons, the school recognises attitudes to learning and behaviour for learning through the use of BfL points. An entry is made on the register for all students in all sessions. 

To be awarded 2 BfL points (outstanding behaviour for learning), students will have: 

• Followed all of 7 good behaviours
• Challenged themselves and extend their learning
• Shown exemplary behaviour throughout the lesson
• Been a great role model by taking a lead in their learning and that of others

To be awarded 1 BfL point (good behaviour for learning), students will have: 

• Followed the majority of the 7 good behaviours
• Completed all their work to the best of their ability
• Been respectful and polite to all members of the class
• Been actively involved in their learning and that of others

To be given a 0 BfL points (behaviour for learning requires improvement) students will have: 

• Behaviour / concentration such that the class teacher has issued 1 or 2 learning reminders
• Not followed some of the 7 good behaviours
• Completed some of the work
• Shown limited effort and participation in the lesson

To be given -1 BfL points (inadequate behaviour for learning) students will have: 

• Not followed the majority of the 7 good behaviours
• Made little or no effort to complete their work
• Been issued a warning more than twice
• Been off-task, or disrupted the learning of others

To be given -2 BfL points (behaviour for learning is of serious concern) students will have: 

• Been issued an ‘-1’ BfL point and responded inappropriately
• Been involved in a serious incident that disrupted learning, resulting in being removed from the classroom
• Been disrespectful or impolite to others (i.e. racist, homophobic or sexist behaviour)
• or there is a serious concern that requires further investigation and action

• When either -1 or -2 BfL points are given then a separate behaviour incident will be logged by the teacher, which will form part of a student’s behaviour record. This will trigger the appropriate sanction and message to parents / carers.

• Any student issued a ’-2’ BfL point, will be removed from the lesson and placed into another classroom. 

The full Behaviour Matters Policy can be found here

Bullying is defined as repeated behaviour by an individual or group that intentionally hurts another individual or group, either physically or emotionally. It can take many forms, including cyber bullying via text messages or the internet. The basis for bullying can be found in a lack of tolerance of perceived differences. Justifications and rationalizations for such behaviour sometimes include differences of race, religion, gender, sexuality, appearance, behaviour, size or ability. Bullying is an aggressive behaviour that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.

The main types of bullying are:

• Physical (e.g. pushing, hitting, kicking, inappropriate touching)
• Verbal - (e.g.name calling, insults, jokes, teasing, inappropriate remarks, harassment)
• Social - (e.g. spreading rumours, excluding someone from social groups, peer pressure to conform)
• Provocative - (e.g. racist, sexist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, anti-disability comments and actions contravening The Equality Act 2010
• Cyber-bullying - (e.g. text, phone calls, pictures/video-clips, email; social media, websites)
• Non-verbal - (e.g. staring, dirty looks, spitting)
• Other - (e.g. extortion, blackmail, hiding personal property, theft)

We believe every child has the right to feel safe and enjoy their time at school, making positive relationships with their peers and learning to their full potential. We understand that when instances of bullying occur this can have a negative impact on a student’s well-being and therefore we urge all students to report any incidents of bullying to a member of staff. In the first instance, parents should contact their child’s Progress Leader with any concerns they may have.

Our Anti-bullying Policy can be found here

Mobile Phones  

At Edmonton County School we recognise that mobile phones, including smartphones, are an important part of everyday life for our pupils, parents and staff, as well as the wider school community. We understand parents may wish their children to carry a mobile phone for contact to and from school.    

Mobile phones are not permitted to be used on the school site and should be turned off and always put away. Students should store their phones safely in their bag.   

  Phones will be immediately confiscated if seen on or in use on school grounds, and parents / carers may be required to collect them.

Our Mobile Policy can be found here