At St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, everyone has the right to feel safe, valued, respected and learn free from the disruption of others. We are committed to creating an environment where exemplary behaviour is at the heart of productive learning. Everyone is expected to maintain the highest standards of personal conduct, to accept responsibility for their behaviour and encourage others to do the same. As members of our community, we adhere to the values of being “Ready, Respectful and Safe.”

At St John Vianney Catholic Primary School we aim to encourage all children to practise good behaviour by operating a system of praise, rewards and sanctions. These expectations are based on the need for us all to care for other people’s safety, health and wellbeing.

We expect everyone in our community to be friendly and polite, not act in an aggressive or dangerous manner, and show respect for others.

We recognise that a clear structure of predictable outcomes has the best impact on behaviour. Our principle sets out the rules, relentless routines and visible consistencies that all children and staff follow. It is based on the work of Paul Dix and his book ‘When the adults change, everything changes’. Good behaviour is recognised sincerely rather than just rewarded. Children are praised publicly and reminded in private.

‘’When people talk about behaviour, they obsessively search for the instant solution. Some peddle magic dust or ‘behaviour systems’ that glisten yet quickly fade. The truth is that there is no alternative to the hard work: building relationships with those who would rather not, resetting expectations with those who trample them, being relentlessly positive and sustaining a poker face when confronted with challenging behaviour.’’

Paul Dix, Pivotal Education

Our approach is underpinned by research carried out by the EEF in their Improving Behaviour in Schools guidance report.