Behaviour Management Policy | West End Academy

West End Academy Behaviour Management Policy
Operated by: Smart Music Studios Limited
Contact: info@westend.academy
Last updated: 26 July 2026

1. Purpose
West End Academy is committed to a positive, inclusive and supportive environment where children and young people feel safe, respected and able to participate fully. This policy explains how we encourage positive behaviour and respond to behaviour that is disruptive, unsafe or harmful. It applies to all Academy classes, trials, rehearsals, performances, workshops and related activities.

2. Our Approach
We recognise that children and young people are developing emotionally, socially and creatively. Behaviour may be influenced by age, confidence, additional needs, tiredness, anxiety, communication differences or circumstances outside the Academy.

Staff will aim to set clear expectations, use encouragement and positive reinforcement, model respectful behaviour, respond calmly and consistently, consider individual needs, help students understand the effects of their actions, work constructively with families and protect the whole group’s safety and wellbeing.

Behaviour management will never involve humiliation, intimidation, physical punishment, threats or deliberate embarrassment.

3. Expected Student Behaviour
Students are expected to:
Treat other students and adults with kindness and respect
Listen when teachers or assistants are speaking
Follow reasonable instructions and safety guidance
Participate positively
Use appropriate language
Respect personal space and boundaries
Take care of venues, costumes, props and equipment
Avoid behaviour that could hurt, frighten or exclude others
Tell a trusted adult if they feel worried, upset or unsafe

4. Positive Behaviour Support
Staff may use clear routines, praise, positive reminders, appropriate responsibilities, choices, redirection, a short break, an adjusted activity, a private conversation or recognition of effort and improvement. The response will depend on the student’s age, needs, behaviour and circumstances.

5. Responding to Concerns
A gradual response will usually include a calm reminder, an explanation of the expected behaviour, redirection, a brief pause, a private conversation, informing the parent or guardian and, where needed, a behaviour support plan. Not every stage will be suitable in every situation. Staff may act immediately where behaviour creates a safety or safeguarding concern.

6. Unsafe or Serious Behaviour
Serious behaviour may include physical aggression, bullying, discriminatory behaviour, deliberate property damage, repeated refusal to follow safety instructions, threats, sexualised or highly inappropriate behaviour, dangerous items or behaviour that places anyone at risk.

West End Academy may remove a student from the immediate activity, contact the parent or guardian, ask for collection, pause attendance, introduce support arrangements, restrict participation in a special activity, end the student’s place or make a safeguarding referral where appropriate. Safety, fairness and student wellbeing will guide the response.

7. Repeated Concerns
Where concerns continue, West End Academy may meet the parent or guardian to discuss possible causes, useful strategies, reasonable adjustments, support needs, class placement, a written plan, a review period or whether the current programme remains suitable. We will aim to work collaboratively with families wherever possible.

8. Additional Needs and Reasonable Adjustments
Behaviour may be linked to additional needs, neurodiversity, communication differences, anxiety, disability or medical conditions. Families are encouraged to share information that may help us support their child.

Reasonable adjustments may include clearer instructions, visual or repeated reminders, movement or sensory breaks, adjusted group positioning, additional preparation, modified activities or a quieter space where available. We cannot guarantee every adjustment in every venue, but each request will be considered carefully.

9. Bullying
Bullying is not accepted. It may include repeated verbal abuse, physical behaviour, social exclusion, threats, online harassment, discrimination or deliberate humiliation. Reports will be taken seriously. West End Academy may speak separately with those involved, contact families, monitor the situation, agree support measures and take further action where necessary.

10. Physical Intervention
Staff will not use physical punishment. Physical intervention may be used only where reasonably necessary to prevent immediate harm. It must be proportionate, necessary, used for the shortest possible time, reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, recorded where appropriate and communicated to the parent or guardian.

Appropriate professional contact may also be used for first aid, safety, dance or drama guidance when it is explained and respectful.

11. Parent and Guardian Responsibilities
Parents and guardians are expected to support behaviour expectations, share relevant information, communicate respectfully, attend discussions where concerns arise and work constructively with agreed support plans. Aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour will not be accepted. Where an adult’s behaviour creates a safety, safeguarding or operational concern, West End Academy may pause or end the student’s place.

12. Recording Incidents
Significant incidents may be recorded, including the date, location, behaviour, people involved, action taken, injury or damage, family communication and agreed next steps. Records will be handled sensitively and stored appropriately.

13. Safeguarding
Staff must report safeguarding concerns to:
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Harry Smith
Email: info@westend.academy
Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Claire Smith
Email: info@westend.academy

Where a child may be at immediate risk, West End Academy may contact emergency services, children’s social care or the police.

14. Pausing or Ending a Place
West End Academy will aim to resolve concerns through support, communication and reasonable adjustments. A student’s place may nevertheless be paused or ended where behaviour remains seriously disruptive, safety instructions are repeatedly ignored, others are placed at risk, bullying or aggression continues, the Academy cannot safely meet the student’s needs, a parent or guardian will not engage constructively or continued attendance would significantly affect group wellbeing. Decisions will be made carefully and communicated clearly.

15. Complaints
Concerns should be raised promptly by emailing info@westend.academy. West End Academy will review relevant information and aim to respond fairly within a reasonable timeframe.

16. Review
This policy may be updated as West End Academy develops. It should be read alongside the Code of Conduct, Parent Terms and Conditions and safeguarding policies.