The school's policy on behaviour, rules and regulations and sanctions has to be seen within the overall ethos of the school. The school ethos is based on a partnership involving pupils, teachers and parents, each of whom have a number of responsibilities.
Behaviour Management Policy
Good behaviour is necessary if the school is to perform its function. A controlled and orderly atmosphere is essential in the teaching situation and pupils are expected to behave properly throughout the school and in the grounds and playgrounds at all times. The aim is to develop in the pupils self discipline and a sensible and responsible attitude. This can only be achieved by fair, firm and consistent treatment and an insistence by both parents and the school on high standards of behaviour.
The School has 4 school rules which are outlined below: -
- Pupils must arrive punctually to classes.
- Pupils must come to class prepared to work.
- Pupils may only be out of class during class time if they have a permission card.
- Both inside and outside class, pupils must conduct themselves in an orderly fashion.
Each subject teacher will explain in more detail to pupils exactly what is expected of them under each heading.
Rewards
An important part of our Behavioural Policy is to recognise, reward and reinforce good work, good behaviour and good attendance. This is done in a number of ways:
- Verbal praise by staff
- Certificate of Commendation - for non-curricular achievement
- Certificate of Academic Endeavour - for high levels of effort in class
- Certificate of Academic Attainment - for achieving high grades in subject examinations
- Opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities
Breaches of discipline do occur. The school operates the following system of sanctions as consequences of unacceptable behaviour.
Teacher Sanctions
- Verbal Warning
- Punishment exercise
- Move seat in class
- Remove to corridor for a short period of time
- Short Interval Detention
- Temporarily remove to another class
- Confiscation of an item
Principal Teacher Sanctions
- Departmental detention accompanied by letter home
- Departmental behaviour card accompanied by letter home
- Departmental agreement accompanied by letter
- Permanent move to another class in the department and letter home
Senior Management Team Sanctions
- Lunctime detention and letter home
- Invitation to meet with parents
- House behaviour card accompanied by letter home
- Suspension from school activities for a period and letter home
- Modification of timetable and letter home
- Exclusion (in extreme cases)
Bullying
It is every child's right to attend school in safety, free from humiliation, oppression and abuse. Research findings, however, indicate that out of school and the playground are the places where most bullying occurs and if bullies are not curbed/restrained they can create a climate of fear which can affect everyone.
Galashiels Academy, recognising its responsibilities, is determined to create a secure and safe environment for pupils in its care and ensure the good health of the school. A positive and caring ethos demands an anti-bullying policy.
The school has a policy on bullying which details, among other things, how both bullies and victims are dealt with and how bullying is addressed through the Social Education curriculum. It is by enlisting the support of all staff and all pupils that this troublesome matter is handled and minimised. The most vital part of any anti-bullying policy is that the school should be told if a pupil is being bullied. "We can't help if we don't know".
