To all Parents and Carers
Head Teacher Update – January 2015
Vision, Values and Aims
- Vision 2020
Staff
at Gracemount High School have been considering what type of school we want to
be in 5 years’ time – we term this our Vision 2020. On Monday 5 January
all school staff, teaching and non-teaching, met to consider the following:-
1.
A school vision statement
2. A set of
core values for the school
3.
What our core priorities should be
The
Senior Leadership Team are now in the process of looking at the responses. Our
next step will be to consult parents, partners and pupils with a view to relaunching
our vision, values and aims in June this year. I will be contacting all
stakeholders in due course and explain ways in which you can have your say in
shaping the future of Gracemount High School.
A
Whole School Focus on RESPECT.
As I mentioned in my December blog, ‘Respect’ will be a key whole
school focus in January. This focus has emerged further to discussions with
pupils, parents and staff and listening to their views on the school. It is
also a result of my own observations in school
in the short time I have been in post.
I firmly believe that the starting point for effective learning is a
positive ethos and a climate of mutual respect and trust based on shared
values across the whole school community. It is imperative that we focus on developing an exceptionally positive environment for learning so that all our young people can
develop their skills, knowledge and talents and exceed their potential. In
order to achieve this we will make respect for ourselves and each other a
school priority. During the first week of term I met all staff to discuss this
and shared with them 10 key principles for Better Relationships, Better
Learning and Better Behaviour, as follows:-
- So that learning can flourish.
- A belief that every student is capable of meeting our High Expectations – albeit with support for some. Never expect less of a student, we do them no favours. Challenges in their lives do not mean we must lower expectations.
- Characterised by unconditional positive regard and assertive authority. We model the behaviour we want to see.
- Never say anything which actively harms a student’s self-esteem and seek to resolve conflict and repair relationships where they breakdown.
- All staff are involved – regardless of position. Staff must work as a team and support each other.
- Consistency is paramount.
- Professional development – we all have a responsibility to develop skills in classroom management – first line enforcement.
- Relentless focus to build positive relationships and establish firm boundaries.
- System must support teachers and students and if teachers or students need support they will get this without prejudice.
- We need a strong system with strong teachers so our students can learn.
During the week beginning 5 January I led assemblies for each House Group
and outlined how the school will take this agenda forward. A new positive
behaviour group has been formed in the school and will begin work immediately on
a review of our behaviour policy. There will be a greater focus on positive
referrals and reward for students who continually “get it right”. We will
continue to offer the highest level of support to our young people who need
this, but at the same time we will not lower our expectations of them and what
we believe they can achieve. We will also take a strong line with students who
continually disrupt
the learning of others and who fail to adhere to the school’s high
expectations.
Two immediate changes in how we will deal with negative behaviour are
highlighted below and both these systems will be piloted in school and reviewed
this session.
1 Respect
Referral – where a teacher deems that a pupil has shown a significant
lack of respect towards them or others in the school, they will complete a
‘respect referral’ and send this directly to me. The student will then be seen by me and we
will discuss how to avoid similar incidents. Should a student be referred for a
second time, the student will be seen again and a letter sent home to inform
parents/carers of our concerns. In the case of a third referral, the student will
be internally excluded (see below) and will not be able to return to any
classes until a meeting with their parent/carer has taken place and
expectations have been revisited. If we have continued concerns, other
sanctions/alternatives will be discussed with the student and their
parent/carer.
Internal
Exclusion - We believe every student matters and
we have the “Highest Expectations” of every
individual in our school community. Internal Exclusion will be applied in
response to instances of unacceptable behaviour. It serves as an alternative to temporary
exclusion and will hopefully prevent the need to formally exclude a student
from school. We recognise that in many instances exclusion leads to little or
no change in the behaviour of a young person. We feel it is important to keep
those who are at risk of exclusion included in our school community and to work
with them to share and instil Gracemount values and principles. This is more
desirable than excluding them and denying them continued access to learning. We aim to be an inclusive
and restorative school and as such the use of internal exclusion will allow
for more effective work to take place, hopefully resulting in positive and
sustainable changes in the behaviour of young people. This approach should enable effective working
partnerships between school staff, partner agencies and parents/carers. The
reflective and restorative work which will take place during internal exclusion
aims to develop in students and parents/carers a deeper understanding of school
expectations and practices and explore the young person’s response to these.
Internal Exclusion
provides an opportunity for the student to be supported in reflecting on
his/her behaviour and to consider the impact that it has on others including
classmates, teachers and family members. Crucially the process enables learning
to continue, thus avoiding the problem of falling behind with class work and additionally
reduces the risk of offending in the community.
Internal exclusion will last between one and three days, depending on the
circumstances. Breaks and lunchtimes will
be supervised separately from other students. A period of re-integration in the
Inspire Base may also follow an Internal Exclusion again depending on the
circumstances. Should a student fail to adhere to the terms of the Internal
Exclusion they, and their parents, will be informed that there is a significant
risk of formal exclusion. If a formal exclusion takes place, a period of re-integration
must be agreed upon. This will take the format similar to that of an internal
exclusion and students will be made aware of this before an exclusion is
finalised.
The
Internal Exclusion will take place in the Reflective
Room located between my room and Mr MacKenzie’s office. The room will
provide ICT access and a working area for up to two pupils and will be
supervised by volunteer members of staff. Where appropriate the teacher may
support learning but the key purpose is to
provide supervision.
What’s ahead?
January
is a very busy time for all students and staff. Tracking Reports will be issued
for S2 and S3 students and Parent Consultation Evenings will follow for both
these year groups. Our senior school prelims begin on Monday 12 January and Mr Hutchison has met with all S4-6 students
to explain our expectations of them during this very important time. S3, S4 and
S5 students will shortly be involved in deciding their course choices for the
next academic session and Parent Consultation Evenings will form a significant
part of this process (dates to be advised in due course). We very much hope you
will support your child and the school by engaging in these evenings.
Finally,
the winter weather has been relatively kind to us, however, we are only too
aware that Scotland can experience all seasons in one day and we do have procedures
in place if the weather takes a turn for the worst. As always the safety of our
staff and students is at the heart of all our decisions and we will keep
parents and students fully informed about our ability to open during adverse
weather via Radio Forth, our website and text alerts. Please help us to keep in touch by ensuring we have up to date
contact details, particularly mobile numbers and email addresses, so that we
can contact you at all times.
Kind
regards,
Ross Hunter
Head Teacher
