Positive Behaviour Cultures

At Perryfields, we believe the most powerful tool for influencing behaviour we have at our disposal are the positive working relationships we build with our pupils. In the alternative provision sector, pupils often arrive in crisis and are at their most vulnerable and deserve the very best care and education that we can offer.  

In short, we need to replicate a mainstream provision with ‘bells and whistles on top’ with a purposeful and extensive curriculum enrichment offer. All pupils, irrespective of the complexity of their needs, are taken on educational visits so they get important real life opportunities and experiences. Staff enable them to develop a rich cultural capital and discover interests and talents. School is a one-shot deal for our pupils.  

An effective and positive behaviour culture is underpinned by three main strategies: 

1. Quality first teaching and an engaging curriculum that is adapted to meet the personal needs of all pupils underpin making Perryfields a happy, safe, and purposeful place for them. If pupils enjoy learning they will want to attend, and we see a significant rise in our attendance when compared to their previous setting. We place great emphasis on creating a classroom and school environment that not only supports pupils with their learning and knowledge retrieval but celebrates their achievements. As Professor Bart McGettrick quotes ‘Pupils learn best through the smiling eyes of the teacher’. As school leaders, we should seek to help the teachers do a better job, day in day out. 
2. Positive relationships based on respect in an extremely nurturing and caring environment. Our pupils are highly vulnerable to underachievement and have significantly complex needs. Staff demonstrate high levels of empathy (not sympathy) and build trusting and highly positive relationships. High expectations and consistent routines are crucial in establishing a positive behaviour culture. Perryfields creates an atmosphere of pupils who seek recognition and are eager to please through constant praise and encouragement. A culture where it’s worthwhile being good is vital. Pam Leo, in her book Connecting Parenting, reflects that ‘You can’t teach children to behave better by making them feel worse. When children feel better, they behave better’. 
3. Don’t pretend. Everybody needs a sense of belonging and a feeling that people really care and are understanding their needs. At Perryfields we notice everything, whether it be a new haircut, interest, or an achievement outside of school. The importance of self-esteem and pupil mental health cannot be underestimated, and our pupils require recognition and a sense of worth. As Desmond Tutu said, ‘There comes a point where we need to just stop pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they are falling in’. 

Negative pupil behaviours are often a communication of unmet need. Thinking of a child as behaving badly disposes you to think of punishment. Thinking of a child as struggling to handle something difficult encourages you to help them through their distress. 

Recruitment and development of highly skilled and dedicated staff is a key factor in embedding a positive behaviour culture. At Perryfields, we use a values-based recruitment strategy in order to develop a team who will buy into a well communicated and known vision, culture, and ethos. 

It is vital to spend time thinking very clearly about the core values that are important to the school. When we recruit, we look for: 

• Hard work 

• Empathy 

• And Humility

As leaders, focus on being relentlessly positive with a ‘can do’ attitude!