At Castle View Academy, we are proud of our calm, respectful and purposeful environment where every student can succeed. As students move from primary school into Year 7, we place a strong emphasis on establishing excellent habits from the very beginning.
Our Behaviour for Learning Policy is built on a clear principle: every member of our community has the right to learn, the right to feel safe, and the right to be treated with respect and dignity. We believe that high expectations lead to high achievement, and we work closely with students and families to ensure these expectations are clearly understood and consistently upheld.
You can read our full Behaviour Policy here.
Our Expectations
At Castle View Academy, all students are expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of behaviour in every aspect of school life. This includes showing respect to staff, peers and visitors, following instructions promptly, and contributing positively to the learning environment.
Students are expected to arrive fully prepared for learning with the correct equipment, engage fully in lessons, and maintain focused, productive attitudes. They are also expected to take responsibility for their actions, reflecting when things go wrong and making positive changes.
These expectations are applied consistently across the academy to create a calm and purposeful environment where all students can thrive. We place a strong emphasis on self-discipline, mutual respect and positive relationships so that every student is supported to achieve their best.
Supporting Excellent Behaviour
We use a clear, consistent and structured approach in lessons to support students in meeting expectations and maintaining a disruption-free learning environment.
Students will first receive Warning 1, where staff clearly identify the behaviour that is falling below expectations and give an opportunity to correct it. If the behaviour continues, a Warning 2 is issued, making it clear that improvement is required immediately.
If expectations are still not met, the student will be removed from the lesson and placed in R&R (Reflect and Rebuild).
R&R is a dedicated space where students are given the opportunity to reflect on what has happened and rebuild positively towards returning to lessons successfully. It is designed to support students in resetting their behaviour, taking responsibility and re-engaging with their learning.
Students who are removed from a lesson will typically spend two lessons and one social time in R&R. During this time, they are expected to complete work set and engage in reflection so that they are ready to return to lessons with improved focus and behaviour.
Students may also spend time in R&R for other reasons, depending on the level of support required, and the length of time may vary accordingly.
If a student does not meet expectations while in R&R, they will be removed and placed in the academy’s Internal Exclusion Room, where further support and intervention will be put in place.
In more serious cases, such as defiance or persistent disruption, staff may move more quickly through the behaviour stages to ensure the learning environment is protected for all students.
This approach is designed not only to address behaviour but to help students develop self-discipline, accountability and the ability to make positive choices moving forward.
Working in Partnership with Families
We strongly believe that positive outcomes for students are achieved through a close partnership between school and home. We work proactively with parents and carers to ensure expectations are clear and consistently reinforced.
Where additional support is needed, members of the pastoral team, including the Head of Year, may contact home to discuss concerns, offer guidance and support improvement. Early communication allows us to work together to ensure students remain successful.
Uniform and Presentation
Our high standards for behaviour are reflected in our expectations around uniform and personal presentation. Students are expected to wear full academy uniform correctly at all times and take pride in their appearance.
A consistent uniform promotes equality, supports a sense of belonging and helps to maintain a focused learning environment. It also reinforces high standards and prepares students for future professional settings.
Uniform is checked daily by staff, and any issues will be addressed promptly and supportively to ensure expectations are met.
You can read our full Uniform Policy here.
Mobile Phones
To support learning, wellbeing and positive social interaction, Castle View Academy operates as a phone-free school during the school day. National guidance highlights that mobile phones can be a source of distraction and disruption, which is why schools are expected to maintain phone-free environments wherever possible.
Students must ensure that mobile phones are switched off and stored out of sight in their bags before they arrive at school. This expectation is reinforced during morning roll call, where staff check that phones are off and put away so that students are ready to begin the day focused on learning.
If a mobile phone is seen at any point during the school day, it will be confiscated:
- On the first confiscation, the student may collect their phone at the end of the school day
- On the second confiscation, a parent or carer will be required to collect the phone from the academy
This clear and consistent approach ensures that all students can learn in a calm, focused and distraction-free environment.
Please follow this link to find the BBC article regarding the phone ban in schools.
A Positive Start to Secondary School
We recognise that transitioning to secondary school is an important milestone, and we are committed to supporting students every step of the way. During the transition process, students are introduced to routines, expectations and the behaviours that will help them succeed.
By establishing strong habits early, students quickly develop confidence, independence and a clear understanding of how to meet our high standards. Our aim is to ensure that every student feels safe, supported and ready to thrive both academically and personally.