At LEAP we take pride in the positive relationships and interactions between children in and adults around our schools. We believe that a positive approach to behaviour management is essential to support children to develop their own self-worth and their ability to reflect on and manage their feelings and behaviours. Positive relationships with other children and adults increase the ability of children to be fully engaged in the life of the school and ensure a calm and productive atmosphere in which to learn.  

Part of this approach is that staff practice a trauma informed approach. We have created school cultures where staff are aware of trauma and its effect and where everyone is committed to supporting pupils who have experienced trauma. We place relationships and a child’s sense of safety and security at the heart of the classroom experience and classroom management. We encourage nurture, warmth and empathy, even when a child is presenting with behaviours that feel challenging. We promote a sense of community and belonging and always take individual circumstances into account. 

LEAP schools recognise that a child who demonstrates negative behaviour needs the support of a fair and consistent behaviour management system which is understood and agreed by the whole school community – children, staff, parents and carers.  The school rules are designed to keep everybody in school safe and the consequences for breaking the rules are designed to allow a child to reflect on their behaviour and restore relationships. 

An important aspect of the approach used by LEAP is our ‘Stay on Green’ card system.  It uses positive behaviour management reinforcement, because we believe at LEAP that recognition of achievements is at the core of any successful behaviour management. Positive behaviours are rewarded through praise which can be in the form of positive verbal feedback, stickers, reward tokens and certificates. The system gives consequences for negative behaviours through a series of different coloured cards, always allowing time for children to reflect and have the chance to correct any negative behaviours.

All school staff are trained in consistent use of language to describe behaviours and to understand how to help children regulate their emotions.

At LEAP we understand that emotions and feelings drive behaviour and that behaviour is a way of children communicating these feelings. The underlying reasons why a child is demonstrating negative behaviours are always considered and, in partnership with parents, we aim to gain an understanding of each child’s individual behaviour needs.

A copy of the LEAP Relationships, Belonging and Behaviour policy can be found here.

 

Positive behaviours are modelled, explained, taught, supported and reinforced. Staff focus on positive actions (for example ‘I like the way you are walking sensibly’) rather than what children should not do (for example ‘do not run’).  The same management techniques are used by all staff so that there is consistency and fairness in all areas of school life.   Rewards for good behaviour and attitude to learning are many and varied.  They begin with praise and are reinforced with stickers, certificates, postcards home, phone calls from the teacher and whole school recognition in the form of a golden award and golden time at the end of the week. Golden time is a fun time when children get to play games in their classroom or outside in the playground.   

Golden awards

Golden awards are given every Friday in assembly, the child receives a certificate, and a medal to take home and celebrate with their family.  Individual teachers operate whole class reward systems, where classes fill a button jar or achieve a specific target and these are rewarded with a treat chosen by the class.  

Golden Crowns

Golden Crowns are awarded for outstanding conduct around the school. Children who display excellent manners and move around the school sensibly are awarded golden tokens by members of staff. Each class has a golden crown box and the children put the tokens into this and watch it fill up over the week. Each week, the crowns are counted and, during an assembly, we announce the winners of the golden crown award. The winning class takes the trophy for the week!