To consider school rules as an expression of school ethos

Aim

To consider school rules as an expression of school ethos.

Evidence and reflection

Obtain a copy of the ‘official school rules’. What is the status of this document? Is this the form in which the school rules are communicated to pupils and parents as well as staff? Try to identify all the ways in which school rules are expressed and communicated to different groups. What do the rules and the way they are expressed say about the school’s ethos and approach.

Follow-up

If possible discuss the role of school rules with senior and/or middle managers in the school.

More in this chapter

• To identify the patterns in the purpose of teacher contacts with pupils
• To identify the overt and tacit content of classroom rules, routines and understandings
• To check that we are acting in ways which are regarded as being 'fair'
• To reflect on the range of coping strategies which children use in the classroom
• To reflect on the coping strategies we use when teaching
• To gather information on how pupils feel about curricular activities which they undertake at schools
• To consider the idea of consistency from the pupil's perspective
• To monitor and place in perspective our own feelings on classroom relationships
• To assess the degree and type of positive reinforcement given to children
• To develop the use of praise and encouragement
• To 'measure' overall classroom environment at a particular point of time
• To consider the idea of 'emotional temperature' as applied to classroom climate
• To evaluate progress towards an inclusive classroom
• To consider the degree to which the classroom is structured and run