Behaviour

Behaviour at Our School: A Relational and Trauma-Informed Approach

At St Peter’s, we believe that positive relationships are the foundation of great learning. Our behaviour policy is built on the understanding that every child is unique, and that behaviour is a form of communication. We ensure that our Christian ethos provides an environment where we treat one another with love and respect, teaching Christ’s new commandment, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ John 13.

We are proud to be a trauma-informed school, where emotional safety, connection and trust are at the heart of everything we do.

We are proud to have received recognition for our approach by being awarded a Gold standard Behaviour Quality Mark.  

A lot of work has taken place in recent years to develop a school culture which is inclusive of all children. During my visit one child said that they would describe the school as "welcoming and we have a sense of belonging- it's like one big family and we all know each other." (Behaviour Quality Mark, November 2024)

Our Philosophy 

We recognise that children thrive when they feel safe, seen and supported. Our approach to behaviour is not about control - it’s about connection. We aim to understand the reasons behind behaviour and respond with empathy, consistency and care.

We do not rely on traditional systems of punishment or reward. Instead, we focus on:

• Building strong, respectful relationships between staff and pupils
• Creating predictable routines and safe spaces
• Supporting emotional regulation through co-regulation and restorative conversations
• Encouraging reflection and responsibility in age-appropriate ways

 “One pupil commented that "Even if we did something that is really quite bad, nobody here would shout at you. Each person would sit down with you and try and work out why you did what you did. They would ask if something was up, had you got in with the wrong people or if it was peer pressure. One thing that would never happen is they would say 'you've done that so you're a really bad kid now.'" (Behaviour Quality Mark, November 2024)

What Being Trauma-Informed Means

Being trauma-informed means we:

• Understand how adverse experiences can affect behaviour and learning
• Avoid shaming or punitive responses
• Use relational strategies to help children feel calm, connected and ready to learn
• Train our staff in approaches like PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy)

Our Behaviour Policy

Our behaviour policy is rooted in our school values Kindness, Belonging, Courage and Peace.  It is built upon the importance of relationship and designed to:

• Promote a calm and purposeful learning environment
• Support children with social, emotional and mental health needs
• Foster a culture of kindness, respect and inclusion
• Provide clear boundaries and consistent expectations