BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT AT MARLBOROUGH ST MARY’S
At Marlborough St Mary’s we encourage positive behaviour by using restorative practices.
Being ‘Restorative’ focuses on building positive relationships based on fairness and respect.
In turn this creates a community that is supportive, accountable and respectful.
We believe that every individual is responsible for their own behaviour. The Restorative
framework is based upon ‘knowing the effect that I have on others’. Giving children the
opportunity to find positive ways of repairing harm caused, rather than focusing solely on
punishing poor behaviour.
Pupils should expect, in all cases, a consistent approach to inappropriate behaviour. Pupils
who are misbehaving are given, where possible, choices in order to take the ‘heat’ out of
the situation and provide them with a way forward. The focus should always be on the
behaviour, not the child and on the opportunity for the ‘wrongdoer’ to repair harm.
Children and adults are encouraged to put things right together. All members of staff are
trained in the key principles of Restorative Practice and we understand the importance of
modelling positive language and behaviour.
Sanctions can still be put in place if restorative solutions are unsuccessful but as pupils learn
to use positive language to sort out their disagreements, these become increasingly less
necessary.
The fundamental premise of restorative practices is that people are happier, more
cooperative and productive, and more likely to make positive changes when those in
authority do things WITH them, rather than TO them or FOR them.
Ted Wachtel, International Institute for Restorative Practices
