Positive Behaviour
At Watling Academy our Behaviour strategy is underpinned by our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Kindness.
The Academy focusses on encouraging positive behaviour by rewarding, and celebrating those students who display our core values, work to the best of their ability in lessons and complete work to a high standard.
To recognise student achievement house points are issued, when students achieve house point milestones they are issued with a bronze, silver, or gold badge to wear with pride on their school blazer. Any house points earnt are also added to the total of the House the student represents.
Whilst house points form the basis of our rewards system, we also recognise student achievement by issuing verbal praise, postcards, and letters home. At the end of each term, we have a celebration assembly where we issue badges and recognise individuals who have excelled in a specific subject area. Finally, staff and students nominate those they feel have displayed Watling core values of Respect, Responsibility and Kindness.
Negative Behaviour
At Watling Academy, we have 3 main rules, we are Respectful of others, we take Responsibility for our learning and behaviour, and we are Kind.
Although we prefer to focus on positive re-enforcement there are inevitably times where students do not follow our rules and this must be challenged. We believe that all students have the right to learn, and all teachers must have the opportunity to teach without distraction.
Where a student’s behaviour doesn’t meet our expectations in the classroom they are given the opportunity to amend their behaviour using our 4-stage approach:
- Reminder – Students are given a verbal reminder; if they heed this no further action is taken.
- Warning – At this stage students receive a final warning before escalation.
- Final Warning – Students are issued a behaviour point and are required to meet the class teacher at the end of the day for a restorative conversation.
- Relocation – The student is removed from the lesson.
To further assist those students whose behaviour isn’t in line with our expectations, or they are not making the progress they are capable of we have a well-resourced student behaviour hub. Support is given to students by our pastoral team; a combination of Heads of Year, Assistant Heads of Year, Pastoral Support Assistants and Inclusion Support Assistants identify and work with those students to help them get back on track.
Inevitably we will need to apply consequences to students when appropriate, our graduated approach includes issuing behaviour points, detentions, and report cards. More serious consequences may result in long term behaviour support plans, suspension from school and in extreme circumstances exclusion. We endeavour to communicate effectively with Parents and Carers throughout this process.
Uniform
At Watling Academy, we have high uniform standards. We expect our students to wear the uniform with pride and believe that uniform plays a key role in promoting a sense of belonging and identity within the Academy. Student wellbeing is of key importance, a student uniform removes the additional pressure students may feel if they must focus on what to wear, and if it will meet with the approval of their peers. Wearing uniform also prepares student for the workplace where in most circumstances they will be expected to wear specific clothing or will be required to adhere to a dress code.
Bullying
At Watling Academy, we identify bullying as a range of abusive behaviour that is repeated and intended to hurt someone physically or emotionally.
We believe that no student should ever experience bullying. To prevent bullying, we educate students in Wellbeing lessons, Assemblies and Tutorial exercises about what bullying is. We look at the negative effects of bullying, what forms it takes, how to identify it, and how to challenge it.
When we are required to respond to a bullying incident our pastoral team works with the victim and perpetrator to prevent any further escalation.
Students, Parents and Carers may report bullying to any member of staff, via abc@watling.academy or they can report directly to one of their peer bullying ambassadors.
Our policies regarding behaviour, bullying and associated documents can be found on the Policies and Statutory Information page.
