A response to:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-68674568

Of the 9000 teachers in this research conducted by the BBC, 20% reported they had been hit by a student this year. 20%!

Whether this is the knock-on effects from COVID, a lack of effective behaviour management training during teacher training, a generational shift in norms and behaviours, austerity or other contributing factors is not clear.

In the BBC story, former DfE behaviour adviser Tom Bennett says it has been a problem for "decades" after being "brushed under the carpet".

"Up until about five or six years ago there wasn't much by way of [teacher] training in behaviour management, which would probably astonish a lot of people," he said.

"We need to make sure schools are looking at teaching the behaviour they need, having boundaries and having consequences - a fairly simple structure but quite hard to put into practice."

Tom conducted an independent review of behaviour in UK schools in 2017, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-in-schools . This enlightening read offered the following:

Features include:?

? committed, highly visible school leaders, with ambitious goals, supported by a strong leadership team?

? effectively communicated, realistic, detailed expectations understood clearly by all members of the school?

? highly consistent working practices throughout the school?

? a clear understanding of what the school culture is ‘this is how we do things around here, and these are the values we hold’?

? high levels of staff and parental commitment to the school vision and strategies?

? high levels of support between leadership and staff, for example, staff training?

? attention to detail and thoroughness in the execution of school policies and strategies?

? high expectations of all students and staff, and a belief that all students matter equally?

The report also lists the obstacles for developing good behaviour.

It's unsurprising that the effects of negative student behaviours are far reaching, from poor mental health outcomes for those affected, as well as higher rates of bullying, poor attendance, alcohol and drug use. It's also unsurprising that academic achievement is also affected, given the 50 minutes per day in lost learning time due to poor behaviour (Department for Education National Behaviour Report, 2021).

Behaviour Matters. This is why we placed developing a positive learning climate at the beginning of our online teacher professional development programme, Setting The Standard.

Setting The Standard builds on the same ideas discussed by Tom Bennet highlighting the need for both proactive as well as reactive approaches to student behaviour. The programme works by ensuring all school staff have a common language, common expectations and a common skill set, allowing the development and maintenance of positive student behaviour before moving on to developing the use of evidence-based strategies in effective teaching and learning.

If you would like to learn more visit www.elmeducation.org