Behaviour Policy

Our aim at Coppice Primary Academy is for every member of our Academy community to feel valued and respected and to be treated fairly and well.

We try to be a caring community whose values are built upon mutual trust and respect. We feel children must acknowledge that being a member of a community brings certain responsibilities, as well as rights. Equally we acknowledge that only by fostering personal responsibility for their own behaviour, will children grow into caring and considerate young people able to take their place in the wider world.

The Academy sets high expectations and rewards children for good behaviour. This policy exists to promote good behaviour choices by setting out clearly the roles and responsibilities of children and staff at Coppice Primary Academy. Through this policy we want all members of our Academy community to have a shared and mutual understanding of these rights and responsibilities. Our policy is aimed at promoting good behaviour rather than merely deterring undesirable behaviour.

Good behaviour is that which ensures a safe and happy environment where all involved have respect for each other and the learning environment and resources.

We define good behaviour in terms of:

Good discipline and conduct – this is about the way we look after each other, show respect, good manners, how we move around and look after things.

Good behaviour for learning – this is about taking an active part in learning e.g. working with a partner, asking questions, responding to comments from the teacher, having the right equipment and having a positive attitude to learning inside and outside of the classroom and organisation.

In both cases, staff understand the need to actively promote and model this behaviour. This ensures that teachers can teach and children can learn. To support this we have clear systems of rules, rewards and sanctions that we apply consistently and fairly at all times. We remind children that they are making choices to behave in a particular way and we encourage them to make the right choices.

Coppice has 3 simple rules ‘Be Ready, Be Respectful and Be Safe’ which can be applied to a variety of situations and are taught and modelled explicitly by everybody.

Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices in Schools

The school position is in line with 2026 DfE guidance 'Mobile Phones in Schools.'

Link to DfE document 'Mobile Phones in School'

Bringing phones to school

Coppice Primary Academy is a mobile‑phone‑free environment by default, in line with Department for Education guidance.

Devices covered

This policy applies to mobile phones, smartphones, smartwatches and any other device that has the ability to independently communicate (e.g. through voice or message), record (audio or visual) or take photos.

Sanctions

If a mobile phone is seen, heard or used during the school day, it will be confiscated immediately and kept until a parent collects it.

Exceptions

Exceptions may be made only where there is a clear safeguarding need. Where a child in Y6 walks to and from school unaccompanied, parents may request permission for their child to bring a mobile phone for safety purposes. If approved, the phone must be switched off before entering the school premises and handed to the class teacher/office on arrival. It will be stored securely and returned at the end of the school day. Mobile phones must never be seen, heard or used on school premises.

Exceptions to this policy may also be made for pupils with disabilities or medical conditions where a mobile phone is necessary (e.g., to monitor blood sugar levels), or for pupils with specific individual circumstances (e.g., young carers). Parents/carers should contact the Head of School to discuss individual needs.

Staff and visitors

Staff should model good mobile phone behaviour and follow the expectations set out in the Focus-Trust Code of Conduct. Visitors should keep mobile phones on silent and only ever use them discreetly, away from pupils.