A whole school package: Eastwood High
Why?
The policy direction of Better Behaviour Better Learning and new Additional Support for Learning legislation, combined with an increasing trend in indiscipline in school, prompted Eastwood High to reconsider its approach to inclusion and behaviour. Key aspects of its strategy involved taking an informed view, building from an in-depth analysis of the pattern of indiscipline and a pro-active approach.
What?
The school developed its approach in the round, encompassing structural changes, work with pupils, staff and partner agencies. The ‘package’ includes,
• Integration of pupil support
• A database tracking system to monitor low level indiscipline, tracing patterns
• Use of adult and pupil mentors
• A safe haven at lunch and interval time for pupils who struggle to manage the playground
• Senior pupils act as ‘train monitors’ to reduce misbehaviour on the journey to and from school
• Increased focus and dedicated work on the primary to secondary transition
• Anger management training and instrumental enrichment for selected pupils
• A raft of staff training on positive behaviour and sharing of good practice with other schools in the authority area
• Collaboration with specialist and mainstream services to meet pupil needs
• Refocusing of resources within the school, to promote positive relationships and better support for troubled and troublesome pupils
The role of good information has been critical to success. For example, the last 10 minutes of lunchtime was identified as a ‘hot spot’ for trouble, and so with consultation, morning interval was increased and lunchtime reduced. As a result, the number of incidents and community complaints has fallen.
How do we know it is successful?
Through the package of developments, the school community has observed positive changes,
• “There is no Quality Indicator for ‘It feels better’ – but it does”
• School exclusion rates have dropped dramatically
Factfile
Eastwood High School is an ICS with a roll of 1000. It is based in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire. Eastwood High School won a Scottish Education Award under the Better Behaviour category for its whole school approach to promoting positive behaviour.
Want to know more?...contact Madellaine Sharp, DHT, on 0141 577 2200
