Establishment of a Safe and Positive Learning Environment

STOP -> GO -> IDEAL

High emphasis on the importance that all students feel physically and emotionally safe when at school. Especially those students who have problems at home - coming to school can be a relief.

• Students will bring with them values and attitudes from outside – from home, from other friends and family, and their individual life experiences. As teachers we have to work WITH this and encourage positive values.
• BE CONSISTENT! - Students need to know that when they walk through the school gate certain rules and expectations apply TO THEM.
• Staff united – enforce various rules, uniform, language, respect for others etc. Good executive staff will BE SEEN and be accessible to students. This reinforces the fact that someone cares (for both students and regular staff members) it also helps enforce rules and expectations.
• General discipline – much of what is established in the classroom continues outside it. Having expectations of students increases their self aweness and monitoring skills.
• COMMENT! Too often we comment on the negative. Notice the positives as well - lead by example. It is all about attitude!
• Teachers support - general support for each other; personally, within departments, of executives and also support for the students.
• Reflection – personal, professional. Helps to maintain a positive environment within your own classroom - and this will extend to the wider school community. Students pick up on how teachers are feeling – stressed, angry, happy, uncomfortable etc. Students will quickly work out which teachers care and which don’t.
• Pastoral care for students, parents and teachers.