Supporting pupils live our values, one step at a time: Updates to behaviour recording
We are always looking for ways to strenthen how we support children’s development, emotionally, socially, and academically. As part of this commitment, we are updating the way we record and communicate behaviour events in school and to you as parents. Our updated approach to recording is designed to better reflect our school’s values of Respect, Resilience, Empathy, and Reflection, and to align more closely with our behaviour handbook, relational practice, while maintining statutory reporting requirements.
Why the Change?
We’ve updated the descriptions of all behaviour categories to better describe the behaviour observed and how we manage this in school. This helps us:
- Analyse patterns more effectively
- Identify the right support for each child
- Celebrate positive attitudes and achievements
New Tags in the MCAS Parent Portal
To make behaviour reporting clearer and more meaningful for families, you’ll now see one of the following tags attached to behaviour events:
- Unacceptable or Unsafe Behaviour
- Wellbeing and/or Developmental Note
- Positive Behaviour and Achievements
These tags help you understand the nature of the event and how we’ve responded. For example, a “Wellbeing and/or Developmental Note” might reflect a moment of emotional dysregulation, sensory overload, or a social misunderstanding, all common and expected parts of learning, especially in EYFS and our ARP.
🖥️ Please note: The behaviour widget in MCAS will look a little different. To view full details, remember to click the “More” button to expand the panel.
EYFS Developmental Categories
For our youngest learners in Nursery and Reception, we’ve introduced new behaviour categories that reflect typical developmental stages. These include:
- Emotional Regulation
- Social Interaction
- Communication Frustration
- Sensory Overload
- Attachment Behaviour
These are not “bad behaviours”, they are learning moments, and we treat them as such. Our staff respond with warmth, guidance, and support to help children build the skills they need.
ARP Behaviour Refinement
In our Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) for pupils with autism, we’ve refined our behaviour categories to better reflect neurodivergent needs. New categories like Sensory Overload, Social Misunderstanding, and Communication Breakdown help us track and respond to behaviours with empathy and understanding.
Our focus is on emotional regulation, not punishment. Outcomes like co-regulation, calming time, and visual support are used to help children feel safe and successful.
Celebrating Values
We’ve also replaced the generic “Positive Note” with Values Notes, which highlight when children demonstrate our core values in action, whether through kindness, resilience, reflection, or empathy.
Thank You for Your Support
As we continue to refine our internal systems and train staff on these updates, we appreciate your patience and understanding. Our goal is to ensure that every child feels safe, supported, and understood, and that you, as parents and carers, feel informed and reassured.
Clare Haines
Deputy Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead