The New Line Way: Behaviour

Purpose 

The NLL Way is our behaviour curriculum. It explains the routines, social norms and behaviours for learning that students are expected to know, practise and use every day. Behaviour is taught in the same deliberate way as any other curriculum content: staff explain it, model it, practise it with students, check understanding and revisit it regularly. 

The aim is to create a safe, respectful and ambitious learning community where teachers are free to teach and students are ready to learn. All staff use the same language, routines and follow-up so that students experience consistency, care and clear boundaries. 

How students learn the NLL Way 

Students learn the NLL Way through planned teaching, regular rehearsal and consistent reminders. This is not a one-off assembly or a poster on the wall; it is explicitly taught and reinforced through form time, lessons, social time and daily interactions. 

When it is taught and revisited 

• First day of every term: during extended form time, students are explicitly taught the NLL Way focus for that term. Tutors explain the focus, model what it looks like and give students time to practise the routine or behaviour. 

• Every Tuesday form time: tutors revisit the current NLL Way focus, remind students of the relevant routines and check that students understand what is expected of them that week. 

• Every lesson, every day: teachers reinforce the NLL Way through entry routines, lesson routines, transitions, attention signals, classroom expectations and positive narration. 

• Around the school: all staff use the same expectations and language in corridors, social spaces, line-ups, assemblies and movement between lessons. 

• When a need is identified: if a routine or behaviour is not secure, staff reteach it at the point of need rather than assuming students already know what to do. 

How it is taught 

Staff use a consistent teaching sequence so students know exactly what success looks like: 

1. Identify the behaviour we expect, using precise language. 

1. Explicitly teach the behaviour by explaining what students need to do and why it matters. 

1. Model the behaviour so students can see and hear the expected standard. 

1. Practise the behaviour with students until the routine is secure. 

1. Check for understanding and correct misconceptions immediately. 

1. Notice and praise excellent behaviour so students know what to repeat. 

1. Create the conditions for excellent behaviour by giving clear instructions, calm reminders and predictable follow-up. 

Staff responsibilities 

All staff are responsible for teaching and maintaining the NLL Way. This means staff should: 

• know the NLL Way routines and the focus for the term; 

• teach expectations explicitly rather than relying on assumptions; 

• use the shared language consistently; 

• model calm, respectful and professional conduct; 

• give students an opportunity to correct behaviour where appropriate; 

• follow the behaviour policy when expectations are not met; 

• apply reasonable adjustments and agreed support strategies so every student can succeed. 

Student responsibilities 

Students are expected to learn, practise and follow the NLL Way. This means students should: 

• follow taught routines the first time they are asked; 

• respond positively to reminders and correction; 

• show respect to staff and other students; 

• use behaviours for learning that allow everyone to feel safe and learn well; 

• make the right choice after a reminder so that learning can continue. 

What happens when the NLL Way is followed 

When students follow the NLL Way, staff will notice and reinforce it. This may include verbal praise, positive narration, recognition through the school reward systems and opportunities for students to be recognised for contributing to a calm and purposeful school culture. 

What happens when the NLL Way is not followed 

If a student does not follow the NLL Way, staff will respond calmly, consistently and in line with the behaviour policy. The first aim is to help the student correct their behaviour quickly so learning can continue. Staff will explain the reason for the request and use NET language where appropriate. 

NET language 

NET is the shared language used to give a clear direction and allow the student to correct their behaviour: 

1. Need: "I need you to..."
2. Expect: "I expect you to..."
3. Thank you: "Thank you for..."

Example: "I need you to face the front so you can hear the instruction. I expect you to do that so I can see you are focused and ready to learn. Thank you for turning round to face the front." 

If the student corrects their behaviour, staff acknowledge this and return to learning. If the student continues to make the wrong choice, a consequence will be issued in line with the behaviour policy. Depending on the situation, a consequence may be issued immediately, even if NET language has been used, particularly where safety, disruption, defiance or disrespect is involved. 

Reasonable adjustments and support 

Some students may need additional support to understand or meet expectations. Staff will use reasonable adjustments and agreed support strategies where these are in place. Adjustments support students to meet the NLL Way; they do not remove the expectation that all students should contribute to a safe, respectful and purposeful environment. 

Review and consistency 

The NLL Way is reviewed regularly through form time, staff briefings, behaviour data and feedback from staff and students. Where expectations are not being followed consistently, leaders will clarify the routine, reteach it and support staff to apply it consistently.