Best Practice

The vital links between staff wellbeing and pupil behaviour

Pastoral issues Behaviour Teaching staff Staff wellbeing Pupil wellbeing Workload
Managing challenging behaviour on a daily basis can take its toll on staff wellbeing. Adele Bates looks at why and how we must prioritise our own wellbeing if we are to best support our most vulnerable students


Pupil: Miss you’re being more snappy today, what’s up?
Me: I’m fine, get on with your work.
Pupil: You’re not usually this grumpy, have you had lunch?
Me: No, had a club.
Pupil: Eat your lunch Miss.
Me: We’re not supposed to eat in front of you – rules.
Pupil: Please eat Miss.

This conversation was between a “low ability” pupil known for their behaviour and myself – it returns to my memory often.

The self-care we practise and the structures in place that support staff wellbeing in schools directly affect pupils’ behaviour. Let’s use the above scenario as an example. We’ll call the pupil Mo, he is in my English lesson.

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