BG EXPLAINERS Series Rewards & Standards at bg
What are standards and expectations at BG?
At BG, we believe that there is a minimum standard of behaviour and conduct that we expect of every learner and all staff working in school. Ensuring that everyone meets this minimum standard means that everyone enjoys their right to a safe environment, where learning is prioritised and children and staff are happy and able to get on with the important work we are here for.
We have minimum standards in terms of conduct in classrooms - this includes the expectation that when someone is speaking, everyone else listens without speaking over others. We expect everyone to move around school, for example, in corridors safely and quietly. We expect that everyone is ready to learn at the start of the day, in their full uniform. We expect school staff to model these standards by demonstrating the highest level of professional conduct and behaviour and this includes modelling how to interact positively with others. At break times, we expect everyone to interact with each other safely and positively and to follow the guidance of adults looking after them. As these are our minimum expectations, we don't extrinsically reward children for meeting these. Our rewards structure is designed to incentivise EXCELLENCE in attitudes in school.
How do you reward learners?
As part of our BG EXCELLENCE Charter, all learners are rewarded by school staff by earning Charter Points. Staff award charter points and children collect these in their class box, with an award being given to the class who earns the most points each week.
Once a child has earned 30 charter points, they are awarded the coveted BLUE STAR, which is unique to BG and enables learners to proudly display their achievement with a blue enamelled badge for their uniform.
We hold a weekly Good Work Assembly, when teachers select work that demonstrates EXCELLENCE. This is relative to each child - teaching staff are looking for work that demonstrates an individual child's best effort - this does not have to be 'best in class' and we don't encourage this approach. If a child's work is chosen for Good Work Assembly, they will be mentioned and celebrated in assembly, alongside receiving a Headteacher's Postcard home and their Good Work Poster will be displayed in our specially designed area in the Main Reception for everyone to see.
Of course, as well as the more formal ways that we reward our learners, our staff are committed to consistent feedback and positive relationships and so this is ongoing in all our classrooms.
What about Twitter?
We have a dedicated, private school Twitter feed where we regularly add and celebrate the fantastic work our learners complete in school, as well as celebrating out of school achievements too.
How do you take account of those learners who have additional needs?
We know that some of our learners have specific learning needs or social, emotional and mental health needs that mean it is sometimes more challenging to meet our minimum expectations. We remain committed to a fully inclusive environment at BG and so we work closely with our learners who may have additional needs, alongside families to ensure that this is taken into account at school. We provide regular, high quality training for staff and we work hard to ensure that all our learners have the right support at the right time.
How does the behaviour policy work?
Our policy for the management of behaviour in school is based upon the principles of restorative practice and good relationships. We work hard to make sure that our curriculum is as engaging as possible to make sure that our learners are interested in the lessons we teach. We also ensure that work is appropriately challenging and learners have the right support. In the vast majority of cases, this leads to good behaviour for learning and positive attitudes.
Where we see behaviour that does not meet our expectations, is disruptive or puts others at risk of harm, we work hard to understand the cause of this. Of course, we are clear that any behaviour that is dangerous, harmful or discriminatory is not tolerated at our school, and, alongside timely, appropriate support, we also make use of suitable sanctions to maintain the security and safety of our environment.
Everyone, adults and learners, deserve to learn in an environment that is undisrupted, safe and happy. We will take steps to address any behaviour that disrupts learning, is wilful or persistent and this does include the sanction of exclusion in the most serious cases as a last resort.
You will find a clear structure for how we manage behaviour for all in our Behaviour for Learning Policy.