Positive Behaviours - Restorative Approaches

Updated info

At Alma Park, we pride ourselves on our pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, which are consistently outstanding. This is a consequence of our shared ethos and the consistent approach to dealing with any behaviour issues that may arise. In 2024, we launched a new behaviour system in classes. The focus of this new system was to promote positive behaviours that we see during the school day and take it as an opportunity to talk to children about how this behaviour links to our school values. Please see the image below for what the new system looks like.

Throughout the day children can be moved away from the neutral zone (centre circle) out to one of the four values. At the end of the day, a child on one of the values is then rewarded with a raffle ticket. Each week our head boy and head girl visit classes and randomly select a raffle ticket from the box. The child selected then gets to select a prize from the box.

Here are some examples of the behaviours which the children can demonstrate to move onto one of the four values.

Excellence in learning

• I am ready with my equipment
• I can be positive about my learning and the learning of others
• I share my ideas and listen to the ideas of others
• I don’t give up when I make a mistake and I will keep trying my best
• I will ask for help if I need it

 

Making a difference

• I am a positive role model
• I help others in school
• I treat others how I would like to be treated
• I am proud to belong to the Alma Park community
• I demonstrate the school values

 

Opening hearts and minds

• I notice when others need help and give them support
• I listen and accept other people’s views and opinions
• I give other children time to talk and be positive
• I treat everyone fairly and make them feel valued
• I share and value everyone’s differences, cultures and heritage

 

Working together

• I can help other people to learn
• I can listen to others and respect their contributions
• I respect everyone’s backgrounds and abilities
• I can overcome difficulties by talking about them
• I can learn from other people

 

Alongside our promoting positive behaviour system, we also developed our behaviour management by using restorative conversations to overcome and address unwanted behaviours in school. This approach allows adults and children to talk about the behaviours displayed and share how these behaviours can affect our emotions and the emotions of others. The aim of the conversation is to ensure that the pupil(s) recognise where their behaviour or conduct has fallen short of the expected standard.

Here is an example of a restorative conversation:

What happened?

What were you thinking or feeling?

What do you think or feel about it now?

Who has been affected? How has this affected you?

What’s needed to make things right?

What have we learned from this?

The school acknowledges that behaviour can sometimes be the result of educational, mental health, other needs or vulnerabilities. In addition, our staff are aware that poor behaviour may be a sign that a child is suffering harm or have been traumatised by abuse. Restorative conversations are tailored for each child dependent on their age and language skills.

In order to allow children an opportunity to reflect on their own behaviour when it may have been more than low level, before a restorative conversation takes place, a child will complete a reflection sheet. These sheets contain the following four restorative questions:

What happened?

How were you feeling?

Who else has been affected and how?

What do you need to do now?

How can we help you? (Key Stage 2 only)

Examples of our reflection sheets can be found below.

At Alma Park, we feel that it is important to allow the children the opportunity to share with staff whether they feel something may influence their behaviour. Each morning the children take part in a check in. This involves the children informing staff how they are feeling that morning. Please see the poster below. Children who provide a score of 1 or 2 are then spoken to by an adult before morning playtime to see if there is anything staff can help with or need to be made aware of.

 

For further details, please view our behaviour and anti-bullying policies below.