Thinking ahead to the new term – a quick refresher on the Golden Rules - Jenny Mosley Education Training and Resources

I know it is nearly the summer holidays, but here we are thinking ahead to September and ways of getting positive values on display in the classroom, dining hall and playground to promote positive behaviour. Children (and adults) can ‘go backwards’ during the holidays and Golden Rules often need reinforcing at the beginning of each term. My ‘Golden Schools’ have Golden Rules posters beaming out their goodness in classrooms, dining halls and playgrounds as a wonderful way of instilling good values in children. I am also so happy to introduce my lovely new Picture Playground Circles – see image – another great way to display the Golden Rules! So this blog is really just a quick refresher on why I think the Golden Rules are so important in schools and in everyday life…

The Golden Rules are there to help your school’s moral values extend into every area of school life. They are a way of bringing concepts of morality and responsibility into the forefront of children’s minds, enabling them to become more aware of their choices. In our experience children’s ideas about school rules always fall into six areas of concern: to look after people physically, to care for people’s emotions, to be the best you can be at work, to respect things, to respect people by listening to them and to be honest.

Here are a few tips to make the most of the Golden Rules:

Think of the Golden Rules as the values that guide your school – so try not to muddle them up with classroom and playground routines and involve all members of the school in discussing and establishing them.
Do constantly reinforce the Rules by discussing them during Circle Time, telling children the Golden Rules Stories and bring them to life with the Small Books of the Golden Rules in Action. Nearly all activities can be related to the Golden Rules as in, “Well done, you were really careful handing out the new books”.
Remember that children go backwards during the holidays so the Golden Rules need reinforcing at the beginning of each term with lovely assemblies where everyone is invited to come including midday supervisors. Try Assemblies to Teach the Golden Rules or for more general assemblies inspiration which can always be linked to the Golden Rules try our other assemblies books.
Do get posters of the Golden Rules up all round the school – classrooms, corridors, dining areas, playgrounds. Make sure they are bright and colourful or backed on gold.
Try to relate the Golden Rules to your incentives and sanctions systems. If you are using Golden Time* and we asked any child in the school ‘Why are you having Golden Time today?’ their answer should always be “Because I kept all the Golden Rules all week” – not “Because it’s Friday afternoon!”!

*CLICK HERE for a FREE Golden Time audit and list of ideas to help with Golden Time activities.

There are more inspiring ideas in the Better Behaviour through Golden Time book

CLICK HERE for Golden Rules resources

CLICK HERE for Golden Time resources

Website Manager’s Notes

1. Jenny Mosley runs successful and transformative courses for Early Years and Primary education. Courses focus upon improving social skills, positive behaviour for learning, circle time and social skills, calm dining halls, lunchtimes and playtimes training CLICK HERE to see all forthcoming courses that anyone can attend.

2. For all other training CLICK HERE or phone 01225 767157 (speak to Joanna or Lisa) or email circletime@jennymosley.co.uk.

3. CLICK HERE for resources to support all of Jenny’s training