"Pupils are very courteous to each other and to staff. They behave exceptionally well in class and during playtimes. Pupils and staff do not accept any form of bullying, including the use of unkind words. Pupils feel safe and well cared for."

(Ofsted, February 2020)

Our mantra is: "Work hard, be kind".

It is a basic requirement for learning that pupils are well behaved. We have high expectations of our pupils’ behaviour. We are proud that it has been recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted. Pupils must treat each other and their teachers with respect and act appropriately in learning environments. We maintain high standards of behaviour with teachers being consistent about routines and detail. Our teachers teach in calm and orderly classrooms - no child is ever allowed to disrupt learning.

Pupils’ behaviour at St Dominic Savio is exceptionally positive. This has been validated by Ofsted as Outstanding, and the many individuals who visit the school. This reflects our Catholic ethos and clarity of purpose. The school has strong school leadership which assists all members of staff to work to clear and exacting standards. We have exacting standards regarding positive behaviour and are overtly pedantic regarding even relatively minor incidents. Crucially, the school takes an overtly proactive and pre-emptive stance to safeguard the gentle and calm environment that exists. Positive behaviour depends on trust and positive relationships between pupils, staff and parents. St Dominic Savio acknowledges its legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 in respect of safeguarding and in respect of pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

Our behaviour policy is centred around the core principles 'be positive, be assertive, be inclusive'. Our staff follow these principles in every part of school life. 

Be Positive

• Our high expectations of behaviour are shared with children, staff, governors and parents as well as the wider community.
• Adults are role models of good behaviour. Children are taught and shown how to respect each other and ‘treat others how they would like to be treated’.
• We positively reinforce good behaviour and carefully explain its value in school and society.
• Staff recognise that understanding the situations where misbehaviour could arise is essential in being proactive rather than reactive. A secure understanding of the importance of routines and consistency is essential as is understanding each child. 
• Staff use positive language with the children to emphasise expected behaviours.
• Children are rewarded for good behaviour by their academic successes, respectful friendships and by gaining increased independence and leadership roles.
• We provide children with opportunities to represent our school and show others the ‘St Dominic Savio’ way to live and behave.
• We teach children how having good manners makes others feel happy and appreciated.
• Parents and carers are fully involved in our home/school partnership and we work together to further raise expectations.

Be Assertive

• Teachers have the right to teach and children have the right to learn.
• Children and staff should always feel safe in school.
• Adults are responsible for clearly showing children how we want them to behave and to demonstrate the importance of it.
• We have a duty of care to teach children how to behave positively.
• Parents, governors and visitors have the right to feel welcome in our caring Catholic ethos.
• We should always challenge and address violent, abusive or anti-social behaviour anywhere in school.
• We seek support from each other and outside agencies to support individual pupils through learning and making changes in behaviour.
• Behaviour is everyone’s responsibility.

Be Inclusive

• We recognise that some children need more support that others in meeting the school’s expectations of behaviour
• Staff and parents treat children as individuals and we get to know every child to support all.
• Our school has due regard for the Equalities Act 2010 and the need to proactively make reasonable adjustments in the application of this policy.
• We have a responsibility to teach social behaviour to our pupils.
• We seek to refine and adapt our systems, policies and processes through regular review with all stakeholders.

ClassDojo is our main rewards system, outlined in our behaviour policy. The children collect points for our Five Golden Rules and attitudes to learning. The Dojo points feed into our Four Houses: St Andrew, St David, St George and St Patrick. Each term we announce the House Award to see who is top of the leaderboard! We also announce Top Dojo - this is the pupil in each class who has the most points in one term.

ClassDojo is used all around the world - over 35 million users! It really is 21st century learning! It can be accessed online or through the app. Parents can access their child's Dojo points from home to support school. At parents' evenings we go through the summary sheet with parents. At the end of the year any child who has a perfect record receives the coveted Dojo VIP Award!

Click on the Dojo above to take you to the ClassDojo website.

OUR ROUTINES

Team Stop Signal

Everyone needs to use the same method of stopping children whoever they are: teacher, TA, supervisor, coach, headteacher etc. Children must know what is expected of them in every lesson, irrespective of who is teaching them.

Our schools uses Ruth Miskin’s Team Stop Signal. The teacher raises their hand when they want attention and children raise theirs in return and stop talking. The more quickly they raise their hands, the quicker the lesson moves on. Teachers get potential ‘slow responders’ to start the signal with them and acknowledge their help quietly.

There’s no shouting, shushing or nagging. Children stop in a calm manner, ready for the teacher to select a couple of children to feedback ideas to the group. We apply the approach across the school day e.g. assembly, during transitions, at lunchtime, on trips etc.

Ready to learn

When pupils arrive in school at 8.40 am and after lunch at 1.15 pm, we ensure that they are all 'ready to learn' and focused on learning.

Quiet and respectful

When moving around our school, pupils must be quiet and respectful. They walk in corridors, hold doors open for others and always remember to say 'please' and 'thank you'. 

The school community does not tolerate bullying, racism or homophobia. Negative incidents should be reported to a member of staff at the earliest opportunity. We maintain a quiet area in the playground for those pupils who do not wish to play physical games. We also offer a 'Calm Club' an enclosed space just off of the playground where children can read, be supported with social skills and learn how to take turns during games. On educational outings, pupils are expected to act as ambassadors, bringing credit to themselves, their families and the school. For health and safety reasons, children are not allowed inside the school buildings at any time without supervision. The school takes an extremely serious view of behaviour such as defiance or rudeness or non-compliance.