Shirehampton Behaviour & Relationships
Positive Behaviour & Relationships
At Shirehampton Primary School, we believe that positive relationships are fundamental to children's wellbeing, learning and development.
We recognise that behaviour is a form of communication and that children may need different levels of support to understand and manage their emotions and behaviour successfully.
Our approach is based on clear expectations, consistent boundaries, positive relationships and understanding the individual child. We want children to develop the skills they need to make positive choices, build healthy relationships and take increasing responsibility for their actions.
We recognise that children are individuals and that some may require additional support to achieve this.
Our Approach to Behaviour
We aim to create a calm, safe and positive environment in which all children can learn and thrive.
Our approach focuses on:
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Building strong and trusting relationships
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Having clear and consistent expectations
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Recognising and celebrating positive behaviour
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Understanding what a child's behaviour may be communicating
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Helping children recognise and understand their emotions
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Teaching strategies for emotional regulation
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Supporting children to make positive choices
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Helping children understand the impact of their actions
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Repairing relationships when things go wrong
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Providing additional or individualised support where needed
We believe children should be supported to learn from difficulties rather than simply being punished for them.
At the same time, maintaining clear boundaries and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone within our school community is an important part of our approach.
Restorative Approaches
Restorative approaches help children understand what has happened when there has been a disagreement, conflict or incident and consider how things can be put right.
Rather than focusing only on what rule has been broken, adults support children to think about:
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What happened?
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What were you thinking and feeling?
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Who has been affected?
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How have they been affected?
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What needs to happen to make things right?
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What could we do differently next time?
These conversations are adapted to the child's age, communication needs and level of understanding.
Restorative approaches do not mean that there are no consequences for behaviour. Instead, they help children understand the impact of their actions, take responsibility where appropriate and develop the skills needed to make different choices in the future.
Peer Mediation
At Shirehampton Primary School, we encourage children to play an active role in creating a positive, respectful school community.
Our Peer Mediators are our Y6 pupils who are trained to support younger children with minor disagreements and friendship difficulties during playtimes.
Using our restorative approach, Peer Mediators help children to talk through what has happened, listen to each other's views and think about how they can resolve the situation positively.
Taking on the role of Peer Mediator also provides our older pupils with opportunities to develop important skills including:
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Leadership and responsibility
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Listening and communication
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Empathy and understanding
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Problem solving
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Confidence
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Positive role modelling
Peer Mediators are supported by members of staff and know when a situation needs to be passed to an adult. Serious incidents, bullying or safeguarding concerns are always dealt with by school staff and are not the responsibility of Peer Mediators.
Supporting Individual Needs
Some children need additional support to understand and manage their behaviour successfully.
Where appropriate, this may include:
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Individualised strategies and reasonable adjustments
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Visual supports and predictable routines
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Regulation or movement breaks
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Support from a trusted adult
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Emotional literacy and regulation work
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Social skills and relationship support
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Individual behaviour or support plans
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Targeted interventions
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Support from the Inclusion Team
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Advice from external professionals
We work closely with families to understand children's individual needs and identify strategies that can support them both in school and at home.
Bullying
We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment in which every child feels valued and respected. Bullying of any kind is not tolerated at Shirehampton Primary School.
Children are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult if they are worried about their own or another child's experiences. Concerns about bullying are taken seriously and addressed in line with our Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies.
Child Friendly Anti Bullying Policy
Behaviour Policy
Our Behaviour Policy provides further information about our expectations, approaches and procedures for supporting positive behaviour across the school.