A new checklist of what schools can do to instil good behaviour in the classroom has been published by the government's expert adviser on behaviour, Charlie Taylor.
The checklist – Getting the Simple Things Right – was developed by Mr Taylor, a headteacher, following a recent behaviour summit, where outstanding headteachers from schools in areas of high deprivation gathered to discuss the key principles for improving behaviour.
The checklist includes:
- Ensuring absolute clarity about the expected standard of pupils' behaviour.
- Displaying school rules clearly in classes and around the building.
- Ensuring that children actually receive rewards every time they have earned them and receive a sanction every time they behave badly.
- Taking action to deal with poor teaching or staff who fail to follow the behaviour policy.
- Ensuring pupils come in from the playground and move around the school in an orderly manner.
- Ensuring that the senior leadership team, like the head and assistant head, are a visible presence around the school, including in the lunch hall and playground, and not confined to offices.
Commenting on the checklist, Mr Taylor said it set out for schools the simple but essential things to get right to ensure strong discipline and strong teaching. “Without good behaviour, teachers can't teach and pupils can't learn," he said.
“Often the problem is that schools aren't being consistent with their behaviour policy, such as ensuring that punishments always happen every time a pupil behaves badly.
“Teachers can run through the checklist first thing in the morning and again after lunch to ensure the correct preparations."
However, Mr Taylor stressed that the list was not intended to be mandatory, but to help schools to develop their own policies to improve discipline. He said that it was the process of using a checklist and ensuring consistency which would improve behaviour.
To access Mr Taylor's checklist, visit www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/behaviour