Background

Onthank Primary School is a non-denominational school in the north of Kilmarnock. It has a roll of approximately 600 pupils. The school has 24 mainstream classes. They have three classes for additional support needs and one social and communication class. Forty-six percent of children live in Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) deciles 1 and 2. Forty percent live in deciles 8 and 9.

Rationale

School data showed a significant rise in violence and aggression from May to December 2018. Other related issues included:

• an increase in parental complaints
• increased damage to the building
• a decrease in staff morale and wellbeing

The school recognised the need for cultural change. They worked with central and educational psychology teams on a programme of change.

Attainment Scotland Funding

Strategic Equity Funding and Pupil Equity Funding: Under £5,000

Case study

The school used Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model in Education (NME) to plan improvement. This included developing change around:

• relationships
• curriculum
• data collection and analysis
• being included and valued within the school

They worked with their educational psychologist to offer professional learning about the model. They also offered professional dialogue sessions and training for all staff. The school embedded the theory into classroom practice. They shared information with pupils and parents and carers. All progress in developing positive relationships reflected the principles of the NME model.

Impact

The school used the plan, do, study, act (PDSA) cycle. Staff and pupils were able to evidence the positive impact of their learning. For pupils, impact included: increased kindness, improved pro-social skills and increased learning opportunities. Staff experienced increased empathy, empowerment and increased knowledge of behaviour and feelings.