Yard Supervision Policy

1.      Preparation and Equipment

• Equipment, Yard Book and Bell are brought to yard by teacher on duty and returned at the end of the break

(Equipment kept in Room 4 for Junior Yard / Room 11 for Senior Yard)

2.      Line Up Procedures

• Junior & Senior Infants: Each teacher lines up his/her class and brings them to the yard at 11am. Classes lines up in two in the yard after the bell rings.
• First & Second: Class lines up in each classroom in an orderly manner, standing quietly until each class is led to the yard by the teacher on duty. First teacher ready goes to the yard. Second teacher stands at the door exiting to the yard. SNA follows at the end of the classes. Bell rings once children freeze, bell rings a second time children walk to their lines (lining up in twos). Bell rings a third time stand quietly ready to go into classrooms.

2.      Directions to be given to children

·         Look straight ahead and walk safely

·         Keep your hands to yourself

·         Be friendly and enjoy playtime

3.      Managing and responses to behaviours on yard during play

• Praise (on yard and in class) - Good behaviour
• Ignore - Minor whining/ telling tales and encourage children to do the same
• Time Out (05 mins mainstream / 3 mins Sp Cl) – Non Compliance and Aggressive Behaviour 

·         Time Out area identified and marked for each yard. (In Mary Brownes Classroom for First & Seconds / time Out Chair for Junior Infants)

·         Only Time Out is recorded in Yard book. Details recorded are: Name of Student, Date and Time, Specific behaviour for which Time Out was used, Teacher Name

·         Nominated person to review Yard book, consult with teachers when necessary and identify students with specific difficulties

Teresa Carleton reviews books in Junior Yard

Bríd O Donnell & Patricia Coleman Reviews Book on Senior Yard

·         Principal reviews Time Out Yard book on a monthly basis

• Referral to Principal – Serious Incident e.g. Leaving Premises, Extremely Aggressive Behaviours

·         Students are encouraged to use facilities prior to leaving classroom.   Students must remain on the yard for period of the break, exceptional cases must be agreed in advance of break between class teacher and teacher on duty.

4.      Instructions for end of break

·         Each class to line up in designated area of their yard

·         Children are called to line using a bell.

·         Teacher at head and end of line when leaving yard

5.      Health and Safety

• Teachers are aware of the yard boundaries.  These boundaries are marked using fencing.  Students are informed of relevant boundaries annually.
• Students are encouraged to use facilities prior to leaving classroom.   Students must remain on the yard for period of the break, exceptional cases must be agreed in advance of break between class teacher and teacher on duty.
• Process for accidents/ emergencies on yard needs to be developed

6.      Review

• Yard Policy is reviewed at the end of term in the academic year 2011/12

SUCCESS CRITERIA

This policy will be deemed to be successful when the following are observed:

§  Positive behaviour in class rooms, playground and school environment

§  Practices and procedures listed in this policy being consistently implemented by teachers

§  Positive feedback from teachers, parents and pupils.

RATIFICATION & COMMUNICATION

This policy has been ratified and communicated to the Board of Management