Our Expectations

The Knights Templar Way: Courage and Courtesy in Everything We Do

Our school is named after the Knights Templar, the religious order which founded Baldock in the 1140s. Our school’s motto was chosen by our first headteacher, Mr Frank Hancock MBE, who led the school from 1939 until 1951. He considered courage and courtesy to be knightly values and the values that good students should exemplify. These values remain the core of our expectations. They are the way we do things at Knights Templar.

By putting on a blazer, with these words on the breast pocket, and walking through our school gate, you accept to conduct yourself in The Knights Templar Way.

Ready to Learn

Ready to Learn are our 10 core expectations for all students, which establish and maintain our school as a calm, focused learning environment in which all students feel safe and happy.

Below you can read the positive behaviours that we expect all students to demonstrate both in and outside of lessons. We have described what the behaviours look like, why we expect them and consider them important and we have provided some examples of negative behaviours, which go against these expectations. Negative behaviours are not exhaustive and students may receive a consequence for behaviours staff consider similar. These expectations form the basis of the student section of our Home-School Agreement.

1. We arrive at school and lessons on time

• We arrive at school by 8:30 to be in our form room by 8:35
• We go directly from lesson to lesson

Why do we expect this?

• To maximise learning time
• Punctuality is an important life skill

Examples of negative behaviours

• Arriving at school at or after 8:35
• Arriving to a lesson after the teacher has begun the lesson
• Going to the toilet or Student Services between lessons
• Waiting for friends at the end of lessons

2. We have the correct equipment for learning

What does this look like?

• We have a complete set of basic equipment in a pencil case
• We pack our bags the night before school, using our timetables to check we have the exercise books, textbooks and other equipment we need
• We complete homework on time and bring it to lessons
• We unpack all equipment when we arrive and keep it in a neat pile in the corner of our desk

Why do we expect this?

• Not having the correct equipment slows down our learning
• Being well organised is an important life skill

Examples of negative behaviours

• Not having basic or subject equipment
• Not completing homework
• Not bringing homework when it is due

3. We behave in a calm and orderly manner

What does this look like?

• We enter and exit classrooms calmly and quietly
• We wait in silence behind our desks after unpacking equipment
• We walk around the school site
• We hold doors open for those walking behind
• We follow one-way systems, walk on the left and use correct entrance and exit doors
• We speak at an appropriate volume

Why do we expect this?

• To have calm, ordered starts to every lesson which leads to better focus for everyone
• To allow everyone to move around the site easily
• To allow everyone to feel safe around the school

Examples of negative behaviours

• Not following the classroom entry and exit routine
• Running outside of permitted areas
• Raised voices in buildings and outside of permitted areas
• Pushing or tripping up others
• Not walking on the left or using incorrect doors
• Moving around the site in large groups

4. We work hard

What does this look like?

• We follow the STAR technique in lessons
• We start tasks promptly
• We focus on the task set
• We all contribute to class discussion and group work
• We keep any discussion with other students, if allowed, on task
• We are resilient and are not afraid to make mistakes
• We ask for help if we need it
• We catch up on work if we miss a lesson

Why do we expect this?

• Teachers design activities to help us develop and practise the knowledge and skills
• The amount and quality of work that we do in class really makes a difference to what we achieve
• Hard work and self-discipline are important life skills

Examples of negative behaviours

• Slouching in or swinging on a chair
• Laying your head on the desk
• Turning around
• Not working in silence when asked to
• Off-task discussion
• Being slow to start a task
• Failing to complete an adequate amount of work
• Being out of your seat without permission
• Disrupting other students

5. We listen carefully to staff and other students

What does this look like?

• We follow the STAR technique in lessons
• We respond immediately to the stop signal
• We respect the right of the speaker to be heard

Why do we expect this?

• Not listening carefully will lead to us missing information, explanations or instructions and this will have an impact on our learning
• Everyone must feel able to contribute in lessons
• Listening carefully to and understanding other people’s views are important life skills

Examples of negative behaviours

• Talking out of turn
• Non-verbal communication with others
• Carrying on with work or another task
• Calling out

6. We follow instructions promptly and carefully

What does this look like?

• We always follow the school’s and individual teacher’s routines
• If we are asked to do something, we do it
• We put our hand up and politely ask for clarification if we are unsure of an instruction

Why do we expect this?

• This will maximise the amount of time available for learning
• Staff have a good reason for asking for something to be done in a particular way

Examples of negative behaviours

• Not following set routines
• Being slow to follow an instruction
• Doing something else instead of following the instruction
• Doing something which you have not been asked to do e.g. opening a window, getting up to hand out equipment

7. We wear our uniform with pride

What does this look like?

• We wear the full school uniform correctly
• We ensure our uniform is clean
• We present ourselves smartly

Why do we expect this?

• Our uniform shows that we are a member of this school community and that all students are equal
• Presenting ourselves appropriately and meeting expected dress codes are important life skills

Examples of negative behaviours

• Not wearing a blazer while moving around school
• Untucked shirt/blouse
• Open top button
• Loose tie
• Rolled up skirt
• Rolled up blazer sleeves
• Wearing a coat inside the building
• Wearing a fashion belt, jewellery or nail varnish

8. We are courteous to all staff

What does this look like?

• We greet staff when we see them around the school site
• We use ‘miss’ and ‘sir’ like we use full-stops, when speaking to a member of staff
• We speak clearly and positively to members of staff
• We help staff willingly, if they ask for assistance

Why do we expect this?

• Positive relationships between staff and students are essential for learning
• All members of our school community have the right to be treated with respect
• Rudeness and defiance leads to a loss of learning time

Examples of negative behaviours

• Refusing to do what you are told by a member of staff
• Refusing to participate in the lesson
• Openly challenging or questioning a member of staff’s instructions
• Cheeky or rude comments to a member of staff
• Supporting the poor behaviour of another student

9. We are courteous to all other students

What does this look like?

• We speak to each other respectfully
• We respect other people’s personal space and their property
• We are respectful of diversity
• We recognise that some people do not find school work as easy as others

Why do we expect this?

• All students must feel safe and happy to be successful learners
• All members of our school community have the right to be treated with respect
• Seeing and hearing loud, rude, loutish or intimidating behaviour can cause some students to not want to come to school

Examples of negative behaviours

• Use of inappropriate language
• Unkind comments about another student or their work
• Physical contact with another student
• Refusing to work with other students
• Causing damage to another student’s property

10. We treat our school environment and resources with respect

What does this look like?

• We pass equipment out and collect it in carefully
• We pick up litter that we see around school
• We report any damage or vandalism as soon as we see it
• We walk on the paths when moving from lesson to lesson

Why do we expect this?

• A clean and well-kept school is a more pleasant environment to learn and work in
• We all have a responsibility to care for our environment

Examples of negative behaviours

• Littering
• Eating outside of a designated area
• Chewing gum
• Damage caused by a lack of care or not following instructions
• Abuse of printing facilities