Behaviour and Attitudes - Ready Respectful Safe

At The Henry Box School we want every student to learn in a calm, safe and supportive place. Our approach is warm-strict: we keep high expectations and give students the support they need to meet them. We expect behaviour to be good because it is the right thing to do, and we treat every member of our community with dignity.

Our three rules: Ready, Respectful, Safe

Every student is expected to be Ready, Respectful and Safe. That means:

• behaving in an orderly, self-controlled way
• showing respect to staff, visitors and each other
• going to every lesson and letting everyone learn
• wearing the correct uniform
• looking after the school site
• accepting sanctions when they are given

Our Behaviour Blueprint sets out these expectations in full. Staff teach and model them every day. Please see the Behaviour Blueprint below for further information.

Recognising good behaviour

When students meet or go beyond our expectations, we recognise it. This can be through praise, House Points, postcards and phone calls home, celebration teas and prize ceremonies, student leadership roles, and the House Cup.

When behaviour falls short

Staff deal with misbehaviour consistently, fairly and always privately and calmly. We never use public shaming. In lessons, staff follow four clear steps:

1. Reminder: a private reminder of the rules.
2. Warning: a clear, private warning.
3. Time out: a short time outside the lesson, then a restorative conversation and a planned return. Parents and carers are notified.
4. Removal: used only for serious or persistent misbehaviour. The student finishes the lesson with a member of staff supervising them, and we phone home the same day.

Other sanctions include after-school time, community service, meetings with parents and carers, and behaviour support plans. Suspension and permanent exclusion are used only as a last resort. Only the Headteacher can decide to use them. After a sanction, we help students get back on track, for example through reintegration meetings and mentoring.

Mobile phones

From September 2026 the school is smartphone-free for Years 7 to 11. Phones may be brought for the journey to and from school, but they must be switched off and kept in bags from the moment students arrive until they leave. Smart watches must not be worn. If we see or hear a smartphone or other smart device, we will confiscate it for three school days, and a parent or carer must collect it. Basic "brick" phones are allowed, and if one is confiscated it is returned at the end of the same day. Sixth Form students may use their phones only in the Sixth Form block. Full details are on our Mobile Phones page.

Punctuality

We expect students to arrive on time to school and to every lesson. A student who is late should always go straight to their lesson, because arriving late is better than not arriving at all. If a student is persistently late, they may be asked to do catch-up time after school, and we will let parents and carers know. Full details are on our Punctuality page.

Bullying, harassment and serious misbehaviour

We do not tolerate bullying of any kind, including online bullying. We also do not tolerate discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence. We encourage students to report anything that makes them uncomfortable, however small it seems. Prohibited items include weapons, drugs, alcohol, vapes and fireworks. Staff may search for these items in line with Department for Education guidance.

Supporting every student

We recognise that a special educational need or disability (SEND) can affect behaviour. We make reasonable adjustments and work with families and outside agencies to put the right support in place. A change in a student's behaviour can also be a sign that they need help, and we always consider safeguarding.

Working with families

We ask parents and carers to support the policy at home, sign the home school agreement each year, and talk to us early if they have any concerns. We will keep you informed and work with you to help your child succeed.

The full Behaviour Policy and related policies (Anti-bullying, Child Protection and Safeguarding, SEND, Suspensions and Exclusions) are in the Policies and Procedures section of our website.