1. Context
1b. Our Ethos and Principles
This toolkit reflects Southwark Council’s commitment to inclusion, belonging and early support. We start from the principle that behaviour does not happen in a vacuum: it is shaped by relationships, environments and experiences, both inside and outside of school. What adults see in the classroom is not simply a reflection of the child alone, but of the wider contexts around them that we need to understand if we are to respond effectively.
The graduated pathway described below is designed to strengthen whole-school systems first, because we know that universal, environmental approaches are the foundations of good practice. This is not a set of steps to work through in order to access funding or external provision, but a framework to help schools reflect, plan and act in proportionate, preventative ways.
In Southwark we believe that all behaviour serves a purpose, often as a form of communication. Our task is to work together to uncover what lies beneath and to respond in ways that protect children’s wellbeing, nurture relationships and create positive conditions for learning. Supporting behaviour is therefore a collective responsibility, grounded in the ethos of our schools and the wider community.
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