Behaviour for Learning Toolkit 2023 - 2024
Behaviour for Learning Toolkit 2023 - 2024 ‘Behaviour is one of the most difficult tasks that both experienced and new teachers have to contend with in schools. However, while behaviour is a significant issue affecting teachers in many schools, most pupils in most lessons behave well’. Education Endowment Foundation 2023
The intention of this toolkit is to support all teachers at Cowes Enterprise College to develop a wide range of strategies that help reduce instances of negative behaviour in the classroom and promote a culture of positive behaviour and learning.
Drawing on a range sources include the EEF, the National Education (NEU), esteemed authors such as Tom Bennett, and the expertise of our own staff, this toolkit is designed in the following way: Who can help you? What areas would you like to develop? Behavioural strategies. How else can I get support?
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Who can help you? Behaviour Coaches The EEF make it very clear that improving student behaviour can often be a collaborative approach, and that it is OK to ask for help! As such, please speak to the directors in your subject area for support and ask them to become involved in the behaviour issues you may be experiencing. Additionally, a behaviour for learning working group was established in September 2023, consisting of a number of colleagues who have strengths in different areas of behaviour. These colleagues are keen to help and if you would like support in the form of conversation, idea discussion of informal observation please do get in touch with me or them directly. Whilst all are considered strong practitioners with student behaviour, each colleague has identified a particular area they feel they can help with: : Andy Green DT Teaching learning behaviours to students – self-accountability and putting learning responsibility with students
AGreen@cowesec.org
Vicky Leonard MFL Teaching learning behaviours to students & unintrusive interventions, proximal praise
Michelle Vidovic
Laura Burnett English Creating a calm working environment
MVidovic@cowesec.org
LBurnett@cowesec.org
Becky Watts
Keiran Dollery
English Building positive working relationships
RWatts@cowesec.org
Humanities Establishing clear routines
LChurms@cowesec.org
VLeonard@cowesec.org
PE/Health & Social Care Challenging the most challenging students
Lorna Churms
Blake Rayner Science Creating a productive working environment
BRayner@cowesec.org
Science Building positive working relationships
KDollery@cowesec.org
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What areas would you like to develop? The following four strategy areas form the focus for this toolkit:
1. Know and understand your pupils and their influences 2. Teach learning behaviours alongside managing misbehaviour 3. Use classroom management strategies to support good behaviour 4. Use simple approaches as part of a regular routine
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Strategy 1
Know and understand your pupils and their influences Research suggests that teachers knowing their students well can have a positive impact on classroom behaviour. In settings where multiple adults frequently work with individual pupils, effective communication between those key adults is important.
How do I do this? Read your students’ passports Inquire about their interests and influences Listen to and validate their views 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions Greet students at the door Communicate your care for the student Take responsibility and talk through negative interaction Contact parents regularly
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Strategy 2
Teach learning behaviours alongside managing misbehaviour It is impossible to eradicate all misbehaviour. However, it can certainly be minimised and the general climate for learning can be improved through the explicit teaching of learning behaviours, reducing the need for teachers to constantly ‘manage’ misbehaviour. Learning behaviour is any behaviour that supports learning, such as paying attention to the teacher or persevering with a difficult task.
How do I do this? Discuss challenge and setbacks they experience Appropriately scaffolded work Encouraging self-reflection on feelings Calmly explain your expectations Talk through the impact of their actions and listen to their views
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Strategy 3
Use classroom management strategies to support good classroom behaviour
Strategy 4
use simple approaches as part of your regular routine Whilst none of these strategies are a ‘quick fix’, there is significant crossover between the above. This strategy is therefore grouped into one section. Effective classroom management can reduce challenging behaviour, pupil disengagement, bullying, and aggression, leading to improved classroom climate, attendance, and attainment.
How do I do this? Accepting it is OK to have issues with behaviour management and to ask for help! Make do now starters immediately available and make students accountable Reinforcing positive behaviours & ‘catch the good’ 5:1 ratio of positive interactions Proximity praise Position yourself strategically in the classroom
Use non-verbal cues Countdown when silence is needed Change the tone of your voice depending on the situation Targeted questioning Seating plan Project calmness Diffuse and descalate situations that have the potential to escalate
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How else can I get support? We have signed up to a subscription of an ‘behavioural intervention guide’, provided by Reach2Teach. This highly accessible app provides a range of possible strategies to combat a number of behaviours. Simply press on any of the behaviours (seen below) to be provided with suggestions that could support positive outcomes. To access this resource please use the following information below. Should you require any support, please contact Vicky Wells. https://courses.coursewedo.com/users/sign_in Username: vwells@cowesec.org Password: CowesR2T
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