Behaviour, Attendance & Welfare

Behaviour

School Vision: Preparing our learners for the next step with the best possible outcomes whatever their destination

At Highfield Littleport Academy, we support all students to actively work on developing a range of valued behaviours, which will enable them to be as successful as possible in their next steps of learning and life choices. The valued behaviours all teach qualities which reflect our school values of thinking, creativity, independence, resilience, kindness & teamwork.

Our approach to behaviour is therapeutic in nature and is focussed around our school values.  Positive relationships, respect and understanding are at the heart of everything that we do.

For each area we have a bespoke teaching framework which helps teach and promote positive values and behaviours. Developing self regulation skills, understanding of emotions and appropriate emotional responses are key.

The emphasis of our behaviour curriculum is focused on progress over time, which is acknowledged and affirmed in the following ways.  These all contribute to developing intrinsic motivation which gives pupils the insight and skills to take their learning beyond the classroom and our school and into their future. 

School Culture:

The creation of a positive, collaborative school culture is central to our behaviour curriculum.  Supportive pupil-staff relationships are central to our practise and all staff are expected to interact with all students in a way which models respect, develops self-esteem and shows forgiveness.  Students are shown the value of being part of and contributing to a positive, collaborative whole and this promotes valued behaviour for all.

Verbal praise and feedback:

Adults maintain a positive dialogue with students including specific feedback relating to the positive behaviour qualities outlined above.  Staff are mindful to celebrate engagement and effort as well as achievement.   Staff make clear to students the positive consequences of their actions and choices.

Time spent on a motivating activity:

Students are aware that valued behaviours enable time, safety and capacity for more motivating activities as part of the day or term.  Treats are never promised as bribes in advance but are presented as a logical consequence of intrinsic motivation and positive decision-making.

Postcards from the Headteacher:

To recognise exceptional achievement or effort, a postcard from the Headteacher is given to a student.

Certificate or award for special achievements:

Some subjects, such as swimming, have certificates to acknowledge progress.

Some events, such as competitions, present prizes to winning entries.

Communication with home through Dojo:

Teachers regularly send Dojo messages home sharing positive moments, interactions, effort or achievement that day.

Sharing of achievements through Evidence for Learning:

All families receive an average of 2-5 pieces of Evidence for Learning per student per week, sharing progress towards both curriculum and EHCP goals.

Behaviour Policy

Attendance

At Highfield Littleport we seek to ensure that our pupils receive a full-time education which maximises opportunities for each pupil to realise their true potential. The school will strive to provide a welcoming, caring environment, whereby each member of the school community feels wanted and secure. All school staff will work with pupils and their families to ensure each pupil attends school regularly and punctually.

The school challenges the behaviour of those pupils and parents who give low priority to attendance and punctuality.

To meet these objectives Highfield Littleport has established an effective and efficient system of communication with parents, pupils and appropriate agencies to provide mutual information, advice and support. 

I you would like to request an absence please complete the form in the link below. Absences will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances.

Absence request form

Punctuality 

Arrival is from 8.45am.  Our registers close at 9am.  Anyone arriving between 9am and 9.15am will be marked as late.  Our school day ends at 3.15pm with a transition period for transport between 3.15pm and 3.25pm.

This equates to 32.5 hours of learning time per week.  All times of the day encompass learning at Highfield Littleport from managing transitions to learning to set the table and use good manners at lunch time.

What can Parents/Carers do?

  • Ensure that your child attends school regularly and is always on time
  • To offer a reason, or medical proof, before or on each day of any absence. Absences can be reported using the Arbor app or by telephone (01353 223301, choose option to report student absence)
  • To ensure that their child arrives at school on time, a reason should be offered for any lateness
  • To work closely with the school Pastoral Assistant Headteacher, Lyn Houghton, to resolve any problems that may impede a child’s attendance or to request support
  • To take family holidays during school holiday periods. Please be aware that requests for holidays during term time will be refused, except in very exceptional circumstances, and may subsequently lead to the issue of a Penalty Notice
  • To be aware of curriculum requirements and be especially vigilant with regard to attendance during important academic times such as exams 

Benefits of a Good Attendance 

There are many benefits of a good attendance rate and these can help define a pupil’s future. These benefits include:

  • Improved attainment
  • Increased opportunities and awareness
  • Demonstrating admirable qualities of endurance, determination and resilience
  • Less risk of isolation and low self esteem
  • More positive social life

Key things to remember

  • Regular attendance is a legal requirement
  • Attendance is expected to be 100%
  • Good and excellent attendance will be recognised and rewarded
  • If attendance falls below expectations, pupils will be monitored closely and may be referred to the LAAO (Local Authority Attendance Officer)
  • Holidays taken during term time can not be authorised unless there are exceptional circumstances
  • Medical appointments are best arranged outside the school day where possible
  • Punctuality is also important and will be monitored regularly 

School Leaving Age 

In 2013 the government raised the participation age of school leavers, which means that every child must stay in some form of training or education until they are 18. This could be in the following:

  • Full time education, e.g. sixth form or college
  • An apprenticeship or traineeship
  • Work or volunteering (20 hours or more a week) while in part time education or training 

Welfare - Family & Pastoral Support

Lyn Houghton is our pastoral and family support leader for Highfield Littleport Academy.

Her role is to offer support to parents and carers and to signpost relevant agencies and services.  She also engages families to work with our school and promotes student and family engagement.

As a school we run half termly parent class based events based around a variety of different topics.  Take a look at Class Dojo for the events coming up next.

Lyn maintains effective communication between home and school and offers information, support or advice around any issues that may arise. 

Please feel free to contact her on 01353 223301 or email her on lyn.houghton@highfieldlittleport.org if you feel she may be able to support you in any way.

Support for disabled children can also be gained through self referral to the Disabled Children's Referral and Access Team.

The aim of the Disabled Children’s Referral and Access Team (DCRAT) in Cambridgeshire is simple; to provide excellent services to the disabled children, young people and families that they work with. 

They enable disabled children and young people to develop the skills to Prepare for Adulthood, to access community activities and to also increase independence skills. This is achieved through an allocation of a personal budget that can be used for agreed activities or support. This support will provide the carer with a short break in line with the child's assessed needs. 

How DCRAT can help disabled children and young people aged up to age 18 

  • Promote social interaction, independence, learning and using life skills, new experiences and doing things they enjoy all through the personalised budget plan. 

  • Promote and support preparing for adulthood with children and young people.  The Preparing for Adult Life pages on the SEND information hub have lots of information about this that you might find useful.

Cambridgeshire County Council Preparing for Adult Life

  • Provide an annual personalised budget plan based on need, of up to a maximum of  £2000 for children and young people to use to access activities/care package to provide a ‘short break’ from their parents/carers/family home. This is for children and young people who meet level 2 on the Disability Social Care eligibility criteria. 

Disability Social Care Levels of Eligibility

  • Referrals to other services and support such as, Young Carer’s, Sleep Support, CSS (Community Support Service) Families.

  • We also support children and young people who have been assessed at meeting Level 3 on the County Council's Disability Social Care eligibility criteria. 

Make a DCRAT Referral Here