Promoting Good Behaviour The expectation at Philpots is good behaviour for which the children are praised, rather than reprimands for misbehaviour. Such positive reinforcement fosters good relationships and opens up opportunities for further improvement. To this end, a weekly School Gathering has been instituted on Friday mornings, where achievements are celebrated and certificates presented in a festive atmosphere of story telling and song.

 

Sanctions also have a role to play in the development of social awareness. Any sanctions required (e.g. missing a swimming trip) will be carefully explained to the child.

 

All staff are trained in ‘Team Teach’ methods of de-escalating problems which may lead to physical aggression, and of implementing positive physical handling techniques where all else has failed in a manner that ensures the safety of all concerned.

 

As the children become part of the school community, they soon realise that they themselves can contribute in a positive way towards the general quality of our social life. This is encouraged by sharing with them, whenever possible, the high standards we expect of each other and from them.

 

In those instances where standards of good behaviour are consistently ignored it may be necessary for the School to discuss with parents or carers what course of remedial action is appropriate. In extreme cases there might be a temporary suspension from school in order to review the situation more fully.

 

Within a caring community rules can be kept to a minimum, but we do consider it important that it be understood that bullying, swearing, smoking, alcohol and drugs are forbidden.

 

 

Problem Solving The School is open to receiving comments, suggestions, concerns and complaints about any aspect of its work. The College of Staff will do everything possible to attend to all such representations and resolve issues to the satisfaction of the parties concerned.

Should children feel unhappy or concerned about anything they are encouraged to talk about it to a nominated person of their choice. All staff are here to help and advise and will do all they can to solve a problem. If the matter cannot be settled easily in this way the child should go to see the Education Co-ordinator, Care Co-ordinator, Pastoral Care Supervisor or Registered Manager.

 

(Details of our policies relating to the above are available upon request)

 

Annual Reviews All children at Philpots Manor School referred by Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and/or Social Services Departments (SSDs) have a Statement of Special Educational Needs. The LEAs are required to review this Statement at least annually (additional reviews are required for children who are in the care of Social Services). They are responsible for obtaining the views of the parents, the school and others involved and these go towards formulating the outcome of the review. Meetings are held at school to collect these views. In contrast to the Looked After Child Reviews arranged by SSDs, it is the School’s responsibility to organise these meetings. Our procedure accords with best practice and regulation. General current practice – to which there will always be individual exceptions – is as follows:-

1. Where possible, the dates of meetings are fixed well in advance.
2. Parents and any other persons that the Authority or parents may choose will be notified by telephone of the date of the meeting. All are to confirm whether they can attend.
3. All those invited may also submit comments before the meeting, including Parent View and Pupil View forms which will be completed in advance.
4. A full Educational Report as well as a Risk Assessment, Placement Plan and Health Plan should normally be sent to parents and Authorities at this time.
5. The School then carries out the Annual Review on the Authority’s behalf and sends copies of the Summary of the meeting to all concerned.
6. All children in their 14th year and beyond will have Connexions/Careers interviews prior to the Annual Review meeting.

 

Dress Our aim is to encourage the children to dress suitably, and to this end there is a simple school uniform that is worn to morning school, except for the Training Course. From then on in the day, casual clothes are worn as appropriate. We aim to have these clothes both clean and in good condition when they put them on but we also expect active children to get them dirty!