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Behaviour policy: model and examples
Download and adapt our model behaviour policy, and save yourself some time. If you prefer to write or review your own use our checklist setting out requirements and good practice for behaviour policies. You'll also find examples, and questions you can ask staff to consult them on changes to your policy.
Contents
Recent update to this article
We updated this article in February 2020 to add a resource for consulting staff on changes to your behaviour policy.
There are no changes to the model policy.
Model policy from The Key
We have created a model behaviour policy. Approved by Forbes Solicitors, this model document is designed for you to adapt to suit your school’s context. All of our model documents take account of relevant requirements and good practice. They are easy to adapt, will save you time and help you keep your school compliant.
All schools are required to have a behaviour policy.
The document also includes a statement of behaviour principles, which maintained schools, PRUs and non-maintained special schools are required to have.
For more model policies and complete policy support from The Key, see the policy bank.
Downloadable checklist
If you'd rather write your own policy or review your existing one, download our checklist and use it to find out what you must cover, as well as good practice advice for what to cover.
The checklist is based on guidance from the Department for Education (DfE), and advice from Pivotal Education, an education training provider specialising in behaviour management.
Managing your behaviour policy: requirements
Maintained schools, PRUs and non-maintained special schools
The headteacher must:
- Take account of the governing board's statement of behaviour principles and any guidance or notification provided by the governing board when writing the behaviour policy
- Decide the standard of behaviour expected of pupils
- Determine the school rules and any disciplinary penalties for breaking them
- Publicise the behaviour policy at least once a year, in writing, to parents, pupils and staff
The behaviour policy must be published on the school's website.
Academies, free schools, independent schools and AP academies and free schools
Information about the school's behaviour policy must be made available to parents on request. Though the policy does not have to be published on the school's website, it is good practice to do so.
How effective and consistent is behaviour management across your school?
One of the modules in The Key's CPD Toolkit explores evidence and research into high-impact approaches to behaviour management. It looks at how to use rewards, sanctions and praise to reinforce rules, and how to develop positive relationships with pupils.
Reviewing your policy – download our staff consultation questions
You should consult staff to find out how you can make improvements to your current behaviour policy.
Download our list of questions to ask staff – it's based on our model policy, but you can adapt it to suit your school's context.
You can use it both if you're reviewing your entire policy, or if you're just making changes to a few sections.
Examples
Primary schools
The Valley Community Primary School in Bolton has a behaviour policy which covers:
- The responsibilities of pupils, staff and parents
- Principles and practical strategies for promoting positive behaviour
- Sanctions and the use of the 'traffic light system'
- Reporting and monitoring behaviour incidents
You can download the policy from the following page:
The behaviour policy from Newall Green Primary School in Manchester has sections on:
- Good practice for staff
- Involving parents and carers
The appendices on pages 12 to 19 include:
- A child-friendly guide to 'traffic light' procedures
- A behaviour reflection sheet for pupils to complete
- A sanctions sheet for staff to complete
You can download the policy from the page below:
Secondary school
St Cuthbert’s High School in Newcastle Upon Tyne covers the following in its behaviour policy:
- How the policy will be implemented consistently, communicated and understood
- School rules on e.g. punctuality, clothing, conduct and use of technology
- Responsibilities of the class teacher, form teacher, all teaching staff, the curriculum leader and the pastoral leader
- The seclusion unit
The policy can be downloaded from the page below.
Special school
The positive behaviour policy from Swiss Cottage School, an all-through special school in Camden, features sections on:
- Underlying principles for behaviour management at the school
- Support for pupils with exceptional behavioural needs
- Discriminatory language/racist incidents
- Restraint, and touching and holding pupils
- Monitoring behaviour
The school's physical intervention policy is included on pages 12-13.
You can download it from the following page:
More from The Key
Empower your governing board and drive school improvement together.
The Key for School Governors will give you total assurance that every member of your governing board is competent in their role, Ofsted-ready and working with you as one unified team.
CPD Toolkit makes it easy to run training in-house
Covering topics including differentiation, assessment, SEND and growth mindset, CPD Toolkit has been created by subject experts and tested by teachers to guarantee practical, engaging training that's also excellent value for money.
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