FOCUS ON: Pupil behaviour

Creating a safe and respectful environment in the classroom can make conversations about behaviour more positive, and open the door for pupils to tell you how they are feeling

Safe Environment

Creating an environment where pupils feel safe, respected and like they have someone they can trust is an important part of starting positive conversations around behaviour. While this should surpass your own classroom walls and be a whole-school approach, it can start small as you build these valuable relationships with your own pupils. By teaching them new things in a supportive way, you already have the foundations to build on.

This doesn’t have to start with conversations about behaviour, you could ask how they feel about different topics you are discussing, or how they worked out their answers to a question, exemplifying that you are listening to what they have to say. Creating an environment where its ok to speak up about what you’re struggling with will make pupils more likely to listen and act when you approach them about disruptive or negative behaviour.

Learning Methods

If you have particular pupils who continually disrupt lessons and the learning of others, take a step back and consider why they are doing this consistently. They could be struggling to take in information in the way it is presented, or having difficulty understanding the work.

Switching up the teaching method you use for different topics will engage pupils in a different way, and will benefit even the most studious of young people. Instead of asking for answers from individual pupils on a topic, you could open up a debate, allowing your young people to give their point of view or to bounce ideas off of their peers. You could also use visual aids to explain particular topics paired with the written information you would normally use for lessons.

If you are unsure on how to adapt lessons or learning styles to ensure all of your pupils can thrive, speak to your school’s additional support team. With a wealth of experience in this area, they could have tips and advice to transform behaviour in the classroom.

Bullying Behaviour

Because you only see every pupil for a short time each week, it can be hard to spot bullying behaviour going on between young people. While this is the case, you should trust your judgement if something is going on or you notice changes in different individuals. Having consistent discussions about bullying in the classroom can help young people to recognise how they are treating others, and that support is there when they need it.

Conversations

Whether the behaviour you are speaking about is something small and one-off or has become a big issue in the classroom over time, these conversations should be approached in a professional but sensitive way. If you are concerned about a pupil’s reaction, or you would like extra support, speak to the guidance team at your school or your department head and have them sit in on any meetings with this pupil, their parents or guardians.

For further advice and resources around pupil behaviour and how to start a conversation, speak to RespectMe (www.respectme.org.uk) and Children in Scotland (www.childreninscotland.org.uk).