St.Mary’s N.S.

Glaslough
______________________

Code of Behaviour

______________________
Roll Number: 18401R

• The Board of Management of St.Mary’s N.S Glaslough has

adopted this policy on ………………………., following
consultation with all staff members.

1
 Code of Discipline St Mary’s N.S. Glaslough
(Córas Smachta)
2022

Introductory Statement.
This policy was updated by Teaching Staff, Parents and Board of
Management in Sep/Oct 2017and reviewed by the Staff in May 2022. It
was ratified by the Board of Management on …………………

Rationale
It is necessary to review a Code of Behaviour at this particular time as:
● Positive Behaviour is a central facet in our school community
● To ensure an orderly climate for learning in the school
● It is a requirement under the Education Welfare Act, 2000, Section
23 (1) which refers to the obligation on schools to prepare a code of
behaviour in respect of the students registered at the school.

It details in Section 23(2), that the code of behaviour shall specify:

A. The standards of behaviour that shall be observed by each student
attending the school;
B. The measures that shall be taken when a student fails or refuses to
observe those standards;
C. The procedures to be followed before a student may be suspended or
expelled from the school concerned;
D. The grounds for removing a suspension imposed in relation to a
student; and
E. The procedures to be followed in relation to a child’s absence from
school.

Best Practice in formulating a Code of Discipline.

1. The existing policy should aim to be in compliance with legal

requirements and good practice as set out in Developing a Code of
Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools, NEWB, 2008.

2. Communication between the school and parents is of great

importance. Therefore, it is hoped that this Code of Behaviour will help
parents to understand the way in which St Mary’s N.S. Glaslough
operates on a daily basis as well as communicating our overall aims
re behaviour.

3. Section 23 (4) of the Act further states that, prior to registering a pupil,
the principal teacher shall provide the parents of the child with a copy
of the school’s code of behaviour and that the principal ‘may, as a
condition of so registering such child, require his or her parents to
confirm in writing that the code of behaviour so provided is acceptable
to them and that they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure
compliance with such code by the child’.

2
Relationship to characteristic spirit of the school
St. Mary’s, Glaslough is a primary school committed to the following
aims:
● To enable each child to live a full life and to realise his or her full
potential as a unique individual

● To enable each child to develop socially through living and

cooperating with others

● To prepare each child for further education, work and lifelong

learning

● To create an atmosphere conducive to the development of the child

● To foster, develop and maintain a good home/school relationship.

● To create an ordered and orderly environment in which pupils can,

through developing self-discipline, feel secure and make progress
in all aspects of their development.

● To adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the

school.

1. Principles:
(a) The school recognises the variety of differences that exist between
children and the need to understand these differences.
However, no one child’s need supersedes the needs of other
children.
(b) It is agreed that a high standard of behaviour requires a strong sense of
community within the school and a high level of co-operation among
staff and between staff, parents and pupils.
(c) Every effort will be made to ensure that the code of discipline is
implemented in a reasonable, fair and consistent manner.

Rules of St. Mary’s N.S. Glaslough.

We have devised a summary of our school rules for the children to
remember.
In our daily life at school we need to concentrate on three key areas :
A. Be nice to our fellow pupils and treat them the way we would wish
to be treated.
B. Show respect for all adults we come into contact with at school.
C. Work to the best of your ability whilst at school.
3
Basic Principles underpinning an effective Code of Behaviour.
One of the basic principles underpinning an effective code is to provide
clarity. To that end we have listed below the expectations of all members
of the school community and how they should treat each other.

In St. Mary’s N.S. Glaslough, we expect Parents to:

● Read the Code of Behaviour. Sign the Code of Behaviour.
Discuss, explain and teach it to your child/children.
● Treat all school staff and other children with respect, courtesy and use polite
language.
● Ensure your children come to school each day on time.
Infants Day: 9.00am – 1.40pm.
First –Sixth Classes: 9.00 am – 2.40 pm.
● Send a written explanation or email [email protected] if a child is
absent from school for any reason.
● Inform the class teacher by note or e-mail if they wish to collect their child
early from school for any reason and children must be collected from the
Office.
● Ensure children wear full uniform each day and the correct P.E. uniform.
● Label all property and clothing clearly.
● Ensure that children keep jewellery at home except for watches and stud
earrings. Boys are not allowed to wear earrings.
● Ensure that children do not wear make up to school.
● Ensure that children wear their hair tied back to prevent the spread of head
lice.
● Ensure that children wear hair in its natural colour.
● Provide a healthy lunch daily for their children.
● Chewing gun is not permitted.
● Ensure that children keep mobile phones and all types of electronic games at
home. Phones or electronic games brought to school will be confiscated and
given to parents after school. It is forbidden to make recordings of school staff
and pupils.
● In exceptional circumstances if a pupil is required to bring a phone to school
by their parents, they must give it to the class teacher at the beginning of the
day.
● Supervise children with their homework and send in a note of explanation if
work was not completed.
● Co-operate with school staff and attend Parent/Teacher Meeting.
● Make an appointment, through the school secretary, if they wish to meet or
speak by phone with a teacher to discuss any concerns or problems they may
have.
● Ensure your child comes to school with the correct books, completed
homework and requisites.
● Co-operate with teachers in instances where their child’s behaviour is causing
difficulty for others.

4
In St. Mary’s N.S. we expect Teaching Staff to:
● Treat children, parents and other staff members with respect, courtesy and use
polite language.
● Be punctual to school.
● Be prepared for class.
● Be cognitive of the various needs and ability levels of the children in their
class and adapt their teaching accordingly.
● Set and correct homework and communicate with parents if homework is not
up to the required standard.
● Co-operate with each other and work as part of a team.
● Be fair and consistent.
● Be aware of their duty of care to all children, at all times.
● Supervise children at break times and lunchtime, according to the staff rota of
supervision.
● Prepare for Annual Parent/Teacher Meetings.
● Communicate to parents if children have problems.
● Supply a written report to parents on their child’s progress at end of school
year.
● Teach a broad and balanced curriculum.
● Arrange Sporting events and matches.
● Prepare for Religious events.
● Prepare for fun activities (School Tours, Sport’s Day, etc) which add to the
enjoyment of school life.

In St. Mary’s N.S. we expect Children to:

● Adhere to school rules.
● Be mannerly and show respect for school staff, substitute teachers, visitors,
visiting schools and each other at all times.
● Be kind and thoughtful to your school peers.
● Be honest with yourself and others.
● Engage in resilience lessons and apply what is being taught.
● Treat school property and property of others with care and respect.
● Walk at all times within the school building and around corners outside, for
your own safety and safety of others.
● Use respectful language at all times in your dealings with staff and peers.
● Respect the right of all pupils and teachers to work in a disruption free
environment. The bad behaviour of a few cannot and will not be allowed to
affect the learning environment of the majority.
● Remain within the school grounds during the school day.
● Obey their teachers.
● Listen carefully in class and do their best work.
● Maintain a high standard of behaviour while on the school premises and while
engaging in any school related activity outside of school.
● Go quietly to the toilets and use the facilities provided with respect.
● Be aware of the fact that whilst in school uniform the image of the school is
often on show before and after school hours. This occurs as pupils make their
way home, travel on buses, attend football matches and school related
functions. Bad language, poor conduct, unacceptable behaviour on these
occasions, reflect badly on the home and work of the school in general.

5
The children in our school are taught the school rules in the
following age appropriate way:

School Rules.

1. Greet all adults/visitors and acknowledge their greetings.

2. Stand aside in corridors and at doors to let adults/visitors pass.
3. Fighting, bullying, name-calling, kicking, biting, hitting,
ignoring others, making faces or any unkind behaviour will not
be tolerated.
4. Always tell the truth.
5. Do not write on school furniture.
6. Never take another child’s belongings, without their permission.
7. Do not run inside the school building. Do not run around
corners outside. This is for your own safety and the safety of
others.
8. Do not interrupt your teacher during class instruction as you
will not learn.
9. Do not interrupt other children as they speak. We learn from
others, not just our teacher.
10.Always do as you are told, by a teacher or staff member. Saying
‘no’ is not an option.
11.Striking a teacher will never be tolerated and will lead to
immediate suspension from class and school.
12.Never speak in a cheeky manner towards your teacher.
13.Disrespectful looks or glaring when teacher corrects you will
not be tolerated.
14.Bad language is not to be used at school.

Playground Rules.
1. Stay in your own yard during playtime.
2. Do not swing on red handrails or goalposts as you might
injure yourself.
3. No fighting or rough play on yard.
4. Fighting, bullying, name-calling, kicking, biting, hitting,
ignoring others, making faces or any unkind behaviour will
not be tolerated on the school yard.
5. Cycling within the school yard is not permitted during break
and lunch time.
6. No blasting of footballs at others or at the goals. No
slide-tackling. You are only playing a friendly game at lunch
time.

6
 7. If you have a problem at break time, tell the teacher on yard
duty.
8. Do not re-enter the school building at lunch time without the
permission of yard duty teacher. Once you go out, stay out.
9. Playing with sticks in the yard is forbidden, as is the
throwing of stones.
10. Mock fighting is forbidden.
11. If you take balls or equipment out of the games room it is
your responsibility to bring it back in.
12. When the bell goes, play must stop and children line up
quietly at their designated spot. Repeatedly ignoring the
school bell will be regarded as a serious breach of discipline.
13.If a ball goes onto the road, only children from sixth class,
with permission from yard duty teacher may retrieve it.

Classroom rules.

1. Listen to your teacher and you will learn.

2. Don’t fiddle with objects. Concentrate on what is being taught in
class.
3. Don’t write on school furniture.
4. Speak after raising your hand and on hearing your teacher call your
name.
5. Enter and leave the classroom quietly.
6. Try to go to the toilet at break time and not during class time.
7. Always have your homework done, both written and learning.
8. Show respect for the caretaker/cleaner by leaving your classroom
clean and tidy.
9. Children must have all requisites as specified by class teacher on
the book list. This is your responsibility, not teachers.
10.Do not leave your seat without permission from your teacher.
11.No talking to your friends during class time.
12.Remain in your seat during wet break and lunch times.
13.At times during the day children will be expected to work in
silence.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Role of the Board of Management in reviewing/drafting

the code of behaviour:

● BOM will review the Code of Discipline;

● Having reviewed the current Code of Behaviour, Principal brings BOM
through important points of note having consulted the Guidelines on
7
 Developing a Code of Behaviour for Schools issued by the NEWB, DES
circulars and other relevant material produced by professional bodies such
as the CPSMA, PPDS, IPPN, INTO, etc ;
● Key points are identified, and sited for inclusion in the draft policy;
● Draft policy is presented to the BOM, amendments noted and relayed to
other relevant partners;
● Points of note from other relevant parties (e.g. Parental Representatives)
are presented to board and a final draft is put before the board to be ratified.

Ways in which the Board of Management

supports the code of behaviour in the school:
● The BOM will be familiar with the Code of Behaviour in the school and
engage in its review and redrafting;
● The BOM will be supportive of the Principal Teacher in the application of a
fair Code of Behaviour and Discipline in the School;
● The BOM will be supportive of the teaching staff with regard to the
implementation of the Code of Behaviour;
● The BOM has a role to play in fostering understanding and cooperation
between teachers, parents and pupils;
● The BOM will encourage participation of staff in in-service
programmes/days relevant to the Code of Behaviour;
● The ways in which the Board of Management supports the staff in
implementing the Code of Behaviour e.g. provision of opportunities for staff
development;
● The Board of Management will familiarise themselves with the procedures
that are in place in the Code of Discipline to deal with serious breaches of
behaviour;
● The BOM may be consulted on occasion of a serious breach of the Code of
Behaviour;
● The BOM can exercise its right to suspend a student but also the BOM of
St. Mary’s N.S. Glaslough has delegated this authority to the Principal in
cases where immediate suspension may be required and time does not
facilitate a gathering of the BOM to discuss the issue prior to the
suspension.

REWARDS AND SANCTIONS OF OUR SCHOOL.

Our school endeavours to create an environment where positive
behaviour is reinforced through praise and reward. The school staff will
aim to use encouraging language and gestures, both in class and around
the school, so that positive behaviour is instantly recognised and
positively rewarded.
Positive attention will be paid to pupils who have been previously been
associated with poor behaviour so that not only good behaviour but also
improvement in behaviour is acknowledged.

8
REWARDS:
A reward scheme for promoting positive behaviour will be used.

The rewards available can be categorised as falling into areas of:

1. Immediate praise in front of class group or individually;

2. Public praise - mentioned at public assembly, demonstration and display of good
work;
3. Not having to do some part of / or all homework;
4. Child given some job/responsibility which she/he finds attractive;
5. A visit to another member of Staff or to the Principal for commendation;
6. Delegating some special responsibility or privilege;
7. A mention to parent, written or verbal communication;
8. Teachers may use their own rewards system at their own discretion.

Sanctions :
There are times when sanctions must be applied in our school to bring changes to
inappropriate behaviour of pupils.
In order to establish a common understanding and consistent response our Code
of Behaviour classifies misbehaviour into three levels based on the degree of
disruption caused by the misconduct.

1. Examples of minor misdemeanours which affect the

education & safety of pupils/staff in our school:
Interrupting class work / Arriving late for school / Running in school building /
Talking in class line / Leaving seat without permission at lunch time / Placing
unfinished food/drink cartons in class bin / Leaving litter around school / Not wearing
correct uniform / Being discourteous/unmannerly to staff & pupils / Not completing
homework without good reason and failing to provide a note from Parents / Not
having homework signed by a parent / Refusing to obey member of staff / Name
Calling/ bringing a phone to school on the request of parents but failing to hand it in
to class teacher at the start of the day.

Repeated instances of the above behaviour will lead them to be

regarded as serious or gross misdemeanours.

2. Examples of serious misdemeanours which affect the

education & safety of pupils /staff in our school.
Constantly disruptive in class / Telling lies / Stealing / Damaging other pupil’s
property / Bullying / back answering a teacher / Leaving school premises during
school day without appropriate permission.
Repeatedly ignoring the school bell will be regarded as a serious breach of discipline.
Glaring/ giving disrespectful looks at teachers when corrected.
Not working to full potential / Using unacceptable language.
Climbing of school wall and refusing to get down when asked by school staff/
Refusing to attend Learning Support or Resource Classes/ Running outside but within
school grounds and refusing to attend class/Making rude faces, sticking out of tongue
or making rude gestures with body to staff or other pupils/ derogatory reference to
another person’s race, gender, religion, physical condition, disability or ethnic origin /

9
Throwing objects with intent to hurt / Repeated Name Calling/ making recordings of
teachers/peers on any digital devise e.g. phone/smart watch/ digital glasses etc/
making derogatory comments on social media about teaching staff or peers.

Repeated instances of the above behaviour will lead them to be

regarded as gross misdemeanours.

3. Examples of Gross Misdemeanours which affect the

education & safety of pupils/staff in our school.
Bringing weapons to school / Deliberately injuring a member of the school
community / Setting fire to school property / Deliberately leaving taps/fire hose
turned on / Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviour towards a teacher/pupil/
Leaving school building and going out onto public road without permission of school
staff and deliberately refusing request to come back in/ making recordings of
teachers/peers on any digital devise e.g. phone/smart watch/ digital glasses etc /
making derogatory comments on social media about teaching staff or peers.

It should be noted that these lists consist of examples only: It is not meant to be a
totally comprehensive list of misdemeanours and procedural steps.
The Principal or Board of Management are permitted to add to this list at any
time during the school year. Their decision as to where the misdemeanour slots
in i.e. minor/serious/gross is final.

Approved Sanctions to be applied:

The following steps will be taken when the children behave inappropriately. They are
listed in order of severity with one being for a minor misbehaviour and eleven being
for serious or gross misbehaviour. The list is by no means exhaustive. Teachers may
put in place alternative measures bearing in mind the features by which sanctions
should be characterised. The aim of any sanction is to prevent the behaviour
occurring again and if necessary to help the pupils devise strategies for this:

1. Reasoning with pupils.

2. Verbal Reprimand including advice on how to improve.
3. Temporary separation from peers within class / temporary removal to another
class / asked to stand in another area of the class.
4. Temporary separation from peers on yard / asked to stand in another area of the
yard.
5. Prescribing extra work
6. Filling out a Restorative Practices questioner, which may happen on the day or the
next day.
7. Loss of privileges.
8. Detention during break.
9. Incident recorded in ‘notebook of serious incidents’.
10. Communication with parents.
11. Referral to Principal.
12. Principal communicating with parents.
13. Removal of the pupil for the remainder of the school day in consultation with the
parents.
14. Formal Report to the Board of Management
15. Exclusion (Suspension or Expulsion) from school (in accordance with Rule 130 of
the Rules for National Schools as amended by circular and Education Welfare Act
2000).
10
St. Mary’s N.S. will incorporate a staged approach to sanctions as follows.
However, a teacher may skip steps depending on the seriousness of the incident.

Steps Sanction
Step 1 Verbal Reminder / Reprimand
Step 2 Separation from peers / Change of seats / removed to another
area of the classroom
Step 3 Detention
Step 4 Note home to parents / Principal informed
Step 5 Phone call to parents
Step 6 Meeting with parents, teacher and principal

Application and Communication of Sanctions ~ Staged

Approached

Stage Parties Involved

Stage 1 Class Teacher with pupils
Stage 2 Referral to Principal. Principal speaks to pupil
Stage 3 Class teacher contacts Parent, may need a meeting with teacher,
parent and pupil.
Stage 4 Principal contacts Parents.

Stage 5 Principal reports to Board of Management, although BOM has

delegated power to Exclude to Principal in cases of emergency.

It is hoped that when inappropriate behaviour is addressed in its early stages and
with parental support and positive self-application on the part of the pupil,
progression through the latter stages will not be necessary. However, it is also
important to note that should an incident of inappropriate behaviour occur that is
deemed to be wholly unacceptable under St Mary’s Code of Behaviour then
progression to Step 4 may be immediate.

It is important for parents to know that where a pupil’s, “behaviour

disrupts the teaching and learning of other students, school authorities
have to weigh the needs of that student with the needs of the other
students and staff……. It is the responsibility of school authorities to
maintain a classroom and school environment which is supportive of
the learning of every student in the school and which ensures continuity
of instruction for them.”

[Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools, NEWB, 2008,

pg. 46]

11
Managing aggressive or violent misbehaviour
Strategies used for dealing with serious emotional and behavioural
problems:

⮚ Priority must be given to establishing and maintaining open

communication with parent[s] at all times.

⮚ Children who are experiencing difficulties may be referred for

psychological assessment.

⮚ Through the Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO),

appropriate support is sought from services available e.g. Health
Service Executive, NEPS, etc
:
⮚ Where needed and appropriate the school will make available its
facilities as a meeting place for multidisciplinary teams or care teams.

⮚ Where appropriate Special Educational Assistances (SNA) will

contribute to meetings.

⮚ Staff will be encouraged and facilitated where necessary to participate

in relevant professional development courses.

⮚ Managing Challenging Behaviour - Guidelines for Teachers, INTO

2004: 11 is available to all teaching staff.

Procedures to be followed in the event of seriously violent or

threatening behaviour causing a risk to the safety of the pupil
himself/herself or the safety of other pupils or staff:
⮚ Principal is contacted immediately.

⮚ Every reasonable effort is made to ‘make safe’ the immediate scene

for the pupil himself/herself and all others, where possible the pupil will
be removed from the immediate vicinity of his/her peers or vice versa,
but will remain under the supervision of a minimum of two adults.

⮚ Relevant external authorities e.g. Parents contacted immediately,

Gardaí, Fire brigade, social worker, doctor etc. Should the school be
unable to contact parents the emergency contact number, which they
are required to give the school upon enrolment, will be used.

⮚ Failure to contact those mentioned above will result in the Principal

acting in Loco Parentis.

⮚ Child is removed from school grounds in as safe and as sensitive a

manner as is possible

12
The Purpose of Sanctions:

The purpose of a sanction is to bring about a positive change in

behaviour by:
● Helping pupils to realise why their behaviour is unacceptable
● Helping them to recognise the effect of their actions and behaviours on
others
● Helping pupils to understand that they have choices about their own
behaviour and that all choices have consequences
● Helping them to learn to take responsibility for their behaviour.
● Preventing the disruption to teaching and learning.

Sanctions may also

● Reinforce the boundaries set out in this code
● Show disapproval of inappropriate actions/behaviours
● Signal to other pupils and staff that their wellbeing is being
protected.

In instances of more serious breaches of the code of behaviour, sanctions

may be needed to
● Prevent serious disruption of teaching and learning
● Keep the pupil, other pupils and/or staff safe.

Suspension / Expulsion
“Access to education shapes the life chances of children and young people in
a fundamental way. For this reason, a proposal to exclude a child, through
suspension or expulsion, is a serious step, warranted only by very serious
misbehaviour.”
[Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for
Schools, B, 2008]
.
Schools are required, under section 23(2) of the Education (Welfare) Act
2000, to include their procedures for suspension and expulsion in their code
of behaviour.

Before serious sanctions such as suspension or expulsion are used, the

normal channels of communication between school and parents will be
utilised. Communication with parents may be verbal or by letter/e-mail
depending on the circumstances.

13
 Suspension
● Who has the authority to suspend pupils?
The Board of Management of St. Mary’s N.S. Glaslough has the authority to
suspend a pupil[s]
The Principal has also been delegated the authority to suspend in instances
where circumstances demand immediate action must be taken [see details
below]

● What are the Grounds for Suspension?

● Pupil’s behaviour has had a seriously detrimental effect on the
education of other pupils
● The pupils continued presence in the school at this time
constitutes a threat to his/her/other pupils/staff safety.
● The pupil is responsible for serious damage to property.
● One single incident of serious misbehaviour may be grounds for
suspension.
● Pupil has refused to amend his/her behaviour despite experiencing
rewards and sanctions.

● Forms of Suspension
1.Immediate Suspension
In exceptional circumstances, the Principal may consider an immediate suspension
to be necessary where the continued presence of the pupil in the school at the time
would represent a serious threat to the safety of other pupils or staff of the school or
any other person.
2.‘Automatic’ Suspension
Where, following appropriate investigations, ‘Grounds for Suspension’ are present.
3.Rolling Suspension
When having returned to school from a suspended period pupils engage in serious
misbehaviour which again after appropriate investigation gives rise to ‘Grounds for
Suspension.’
4. Informal or unacknowledged Suspension
Exclusion of a pupil for part of the day, as a sanction, or asking parents to keep a
child from school as a sanction is a suspension.

Procedures in respect of Suspension

At all times fair procedures will be followed when proposing to suspend a pupil.
For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour suspension will
be considered.

Procedure to be followed :

1. Parents/guardians of pupil concerned will be invited in writing to meet the

Chairperson of the Board of Management and Principal at the school.

14
 2. The minutes of this meeting will be recorded.
3. The concerns of the school staff & Board will be stated.
4. The parents /guardians of pupil concerned will be given the opportunity to
reply.
5. Parents will be informed that the full discipline policy will now be applied to
their child i.e. if the pupil fails to behave in accordance with the Code of
Discipline from this date forward, he/she will face suspension or expulsion
from our school.

Prior to suspension, where possible, the Principal may review the case in consultation
with teachers and other members of the school community involved, with due regard
to records of previous misbehaviours, their patterns and context, sanctions and other
interventions used and their outcomes and any relevant medical information.

Length of Suspension Period.

Following investigation should BOM decide suspension is to be implemented

a pupil will not be suspended for more than 3 days, except in exceptional
circumstances where the Principal / B.O.M considers that a period of
suspension longer than three days is needed in order to achieve a particular
objective. The B.O.M should normally place a ceiling of ten days on any one
period of suspension imposed by it.

Written Notification will be given outlining

⮚ The period of the suspension and the dates on which the
suspension will begin
⮚ The reasons for the suspension
⮚ Any study programme to be followed
⮚ The arrangements for returning to school and any conditions
that may be involved

Suspension will be in accordance with the Rules of National Schools and

the Education Welfare Act 2000 and will follow the guidelines under
circular 20/90 ( Department of Education and Science Primary Branch )

Procedures in relation to ‘Immediate Suspension’

Where an immediate suspension is considered by the Principal to be
warranted for reasons of the safety of the pupil, other pupils, staff or others, a
preliminary investigation will be conducted to establish the case for the
imposition of the suspension. The formal investigation should immediately
follow the imposition of the suspension. The principal may impose a
suspension of up to 5 days in circumstances where a meeting of the Board
cannot be convened in a timely fashion.

15
Parents will be notified immediately and arrangements made with them for the
pupil to be collected. Should the school be unable to contact parents the
emergency contact number which they are required to give the school upon
enrolment will be used.

Removal of Suspension (Reinstatement).

Following or during a period of suspension, the parent/s may apply to the Board of
Management to have the pupil reinstated to the school.
The parent/s must give a satisfactory undertaking that a suspended pupil will behave
in accordance with the school code and the Principal must be satisfied that the pupil’s
reinstatement will not contribute a risk to the pupil’s own safety or that of the other
pupils or staff.
The Principal will facilitate the preparation or a behaviour plan for the pupil if
required.
The Chairperson of the Board of Management or Principal will re-admit the pupil
formally to the class.

Clean Slate
Although a record is kept of the behaviour and any sanction imposed, once
the sanction has been completed the school will expect the same behaviour of
this pupil as all other pupils.
Records and Reports
Written records will be kept of:
● The investigation
● Decision-making process
● Decision and rationale for decision
● Duration of the suspension and conditions attaching
● Where Principal has imposed suspension, a report will be given to the BOM
● Report to NEWB if suspension is for 6 school days or more in any school
year.

Expulsion
Under the Education Welfare Act, 2000, ‘A student shall not be expelled from a
school before the passing of twenty school days following the receipt of a notification
under this section by an educational welfare officer’ (Section 24(4)) It is the right of a
Board of Management to take ‘…such other reasonable measures as it considers
appropriate to ensure that good order and discipline are maintained in the school
concerned and that the safety of students is secured.’ (Section 24(5))

Authority to Expel
The Board of Management of St. Mary’s Glaslough has the authority to expel a
pupil[s].

Expulsion should be a proportionate response to the pupil’s behaviour. Expulsion of a

pupil is a very serious step, and one that will only be taken by the Board of
Management in extreme cases of unacceptable behaviour. The school will take have
taken significant steps to address the misbehaviour and to avoid expulsion including:

16
 ● meeting with parents and the pupil to try to find ways of helping the pupil to
change their behaviour
● making sure that the pupil understands the possible consequences of their
behaviour, should it persist
● ensuring that all other possible options have been tried
● seeking the assistance of support services.

Grounds for Expulsion

● Pupil’s behaviour is a persistent cause of significant disruption to
the learning of others or to the teaching process
● The pupils continued presence in the school constitutes a real a
significant threat to safety of self or other pupils or staff.
● The pupil is responsible for serious damage to property
The grounds for expulsion may be similar to the grounds for suspension. In addition
to factors such as the degree of seriousness and the persistence of the behaviour, a
key difference is that, where exclusion is considered, the school (or other outside
agencies) will have tried a series of other interventions(if any still exist), and believe
that we have exhausted all possibilities for changing the pupil’s behaviour.

Expulsion for a First Offence

There may be exceptional circumstances where the Board of Management forms the
opinion that a pupil should be expelled for a first offence. The kind of behaviour that
might result in a proposal to expel on the basis of a single breach of the code could
include:
● a serious threat of violence against another pupil or member of staff
● actual violence or physical assault against another pupil or staff member
● supplying illegal drugs to other students in the school
● sexual assault
● setting fire to the school
Procedures in respect of expulsion
At all times fair procedures will be followed when proposing to expel a pupil.
Where a preliminary assessment of the facts confirms serious misbehaviour that
could warrant expulsion, the procedural steps will include:
1. A detailed investigation carried out under the direction of the Principal/Deputy
Principal.
2. Parents/Guardians will be informed in writing of the alleged misbehaviour and
the proposed investigation.
3. A report of the findings of the investigation will be made to the BOM by the
principal/deputy principal.
4. A hearing will be convened of the following parties-: Principal/Deputy
Principal, parents/guardians, BOM representative present
5. BOM will deliberate on findings and decide on appropriate actions to be
taken.
6. Educational Welfare Officer will be notified.
7. Confirmation of the decision to expel by letter to parents/guardians.
17
Appeals
Under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, parents (or pupils who have reached
the age of 18) are entitled to appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of
Education and Science against some decisions of the Board of Management,
including (1) permanent exclusion from a school and (2) suspension for a period
which would bring the cumulative period of suspension to 20 school days or longer in
any one school year.

Appeals must generally be made within 42 calendar days from the date the decision
of the school was notified to the parent or student. (See Circular 22/02)

● All relevant information in relation to suspension and expulsions will be

available to all parents on request from the school office.
● The Principal and the Chairperson will prepare a response if and when an
appeal is being investigated by the Dept. of Education and Science. The
Deputy Principal / Patron’s nominee may be called upon here if issues of
fairness are in question.

Methods of Communicating with Parents

Communicating with parents is central to maintaining a positive approach to dealing
with children. Parents and teachers should develop a joint strategy to address specific
difficulties, in addition to sharing a broader philosophy which, can be implemented at
home and in school.

A high level of co-operation and open communication is seen as an important factor

encouraging positive behaviour in the school. Structures and channels designed to
maintain a high level of communication among staff and between staff, pupils and
parents have been established and are being reviewed regularly.

Parents should be encouraged to talk in confidence to teachers about any significant

developments in a child’s life, in the past or present, which may affect the child’s
behaviour.

Teachers may keep a written record of all instances of serious misbehaviour of

disruptive pupils in their class. There will also be a folder (kept in the office) for
noting any incidents of serious / continuous misbehaviour in the yard or outside the
classroom situation. The teacher on yard duty will also inform the class teacher of any
incidents of misbehaviour.

Reference Section
● Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools, NEWB, 2008
● Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2007 - provides for certain
changes in the hearing of Appeals under S29 of the Education Act, 1998
● Education (Welfare) Act, 2000
● Education Act, 1998
● Circular 22/02 Appeals Procedures under Section 29 of the Education Act,
1998. (DES website). Deals with appeals under the following headings:
(1) Permanent exclusion from a school
(2) Suspension
(3) Refusal to enrol

18
 ● Report to the Minister of Education Niamh Breathnach, T.D. on Discipline
in Schools. Maeve Martin, 1997. Ch. 4 p.56-61 Recommendations for
Schools
● Stay Safe and Walk Tall Programmes
● Management Board Members’ Handbook. Revised 2007. CPSMA: A
suggested Code of Behaviour & Discipline for National Schools
● INTO (2004) Managing Challenging Behaviour: Guidelines for Teachers
● INTO (2006) Towards Positive Behaviour in Primary Schools
● INTO (1995) Enhancing Self Esteem
● The Education Act 1998. The Education Welfare Act 2000. Questions and
Answers, INTO
● The Principal’s Legal Handbook Oliver Mahon B.L. IVEA 2002 Ch. 2
School Discipline
● Working Together – to promote positive behaviour in classrooms, CEDR,
Mary Immaculate College of Education
● Achieving Positive Behaviour. A Practical Guide. Patricia Dwyer. Marino

7. Procedures for notification of pupil absences from school

The Education Welfare Act, 2000, Section 23 (2)(e) states that the code of behaviour
must specify, “the procedures to be followed in relation to a child’s absence from
school.” Section 18 stipulates that parents must notify the school of a student’s
absence and the reason for this absence.
● St Mary’s Glaslough encourages school attendance by:
⮚ Creating a stimulating and attractive school environment
⮚ Monthly prizes at assembly to acknowledge/reward good attendance
⮚ Badges / Certificates awarded to pupils who have received 100%
Attendance Record at End of Year prize-giving assembly.
⮚ Adapting curriculum content and methodologies to maximise
relevance to pupils
⮚ Making parents aware of the terms of the Education Welfare Act and
its implications.

Attendance and Absences

● The doors of school open at 8.45 am and school finishes at 02.40pm ( 5pm on
days when Homework club takes place). For Junior and Senior Infants school
finishes at 1.40pm and it is the parents’ responsibility to collect their child on
time. Should a person other than the parent be collecting the child we would
ask that the class teacher be notified of this.
● Formal school work begins at 9.00am and children are expected to be in their
classroom by this time. Every encouragement should be given to pupils to
attend regularly and punctually. The Board of management is not responsible
for children arriving before 08.45am or staying after 02.50pm.
● When a pupil has to leave school early or be absent from school for part of the
day a written note or email must be forwarded to the school. A written letter or
email is also needed if a child is walking or cycling home, simply
acknowledging that this is with parental permission. This is to ensure as far as
possible the safety of the pupils during school hours. Please try and keep
absences to a minimum.
● A child’s absence from school must be explained in a note to the class teacher
on the child’s return
● Reports on a child’s absences will be made to the National Education Welfare
Board (NEWB) according to their guidelines. A letter will also be issued to
parents informing them that their child has been reported and will outline the
dates of their absences.

19
8. Reference to other Policies
List and check other school policies that have a bearing on the code of behaviour
e.g.
⮚ SPHE plan
⮚ Anti-bullying
⮚ Enrolment
⮚ General School Information Policy
⮚ Health & Safety
⮚ Equality
⮚ Special Educational Needs

This policy was reviewed by the BOM on:

Signed :

20