Bonaly Primary School

Bonaly Primary School is situated on the South West Boundary of the City of Edinburgh bordered by the Pentland Hills. We believe that positive relationships between staff and pupils leads to better behaviour and better learning and so we strive to ensure an ethos whereby everyone in the school community feels valued, included, respected and trusted.

Good behaviour is necessary in school to enable us to function smoothly and efficiently. At Bonaly we aim to provide a happy, caring, and secure environment for the pupils in our care and expect pupils, parents and staff to be tolerant, polite, courteous, and to show respect for others and their property.

We promote positive behaviour through the curriculum and through our insistence on high standards of work and respect and consideration for others. In so doing, we aim to foster responsible citizens, effective contributors, successful learners and confident individuals.

The values which have been created in consultation with children, staff and parent council are Respect and Friendship; Responsibility; Fairness; Appreciation; Thoughtfulness; Kindness; Honesty; and Ambition.

We recognise that positive behaviour is part of the personal and social development of our pupils and is necessary not only for their safety and well-being, but for their learning and attainment too. Positive behaviour contributes to school effectiveness generally and has a positive influence on both pupil and staff morale, making the school a happy place to be for all.

We take, wherever possible, a non-punitive approach to resolving issues between pupils, preferring to restore good relationships where there has been conflict or harm. Through our Emotional Health & Wellbeing curriculum and through whole school assemblies, we endeavour to develop a school ethos, policies and procedures that reduce the possibility of such conflict and harm. By so doing, pupils’ understanding of the consequences of problematic behaviour is developed as they come through the school, resulting in fewer incidents. Pupils are listened to and supported to reflect on incidents.

Over the school session there will be an on-going focus on school values. There will be a focus on different values throughout the year. Each school value will be discussed in assembly, displayed in classes and around the school. The values will link in with on-going class learning including circle time. Children are encouraged to share their wider achievements by writing their successes on the leaves as part of the achievement display. These are shared at assembly and added to their house tree. At assembly, individual children from classes will be awarded ‘stars’ for individual effort and / or achievement.

The school recognises the need for individual teachers to have good organisation, lesson planning and preparation in order to help create the right environment within the classroom. Flexibility, choice and, where appropriate, differentiation helps minimise challenging behaviour. However, even in these conditions, some pupils will present with challenging behaviour. It is important to remember that all behaviour is communication and that staff differentiate between the challenging behaviour and the child

The school is committed to promoting equalities, inclusion and diversity and ensuring there is no discrimination in the application of our procedures. Our ethos is inclusive, with cultural differences in behaviours taken into account. Due regard is also given to the implication of a pupil’s disability in the design and implementation of this policy and procedures regarding behaviour management.