Behaviour Management for Primary NQTs

Session 1: Creating a positive classroom context

Mark Holdaway

Associate Trainer

(Brighton & Hove Pupil Referral Unit)

Aims of the session

We will explore:

• Focusing on the positive

• A framework for implementing expectations (the 5 Rs)

• A solution-focused approach to tackling behaviour problems

• Being a proactive teacher

and will introduce:

• A proactive checklist for positive behaviour management

In effective classrooms …

• There is a shared understanding of what constitutes ‘good ’behaviour (what does this look like in your school?)

• There is regular teaching and reinforcement of social behaviour and behaviour that maximises learning

• There is a behaviour framework in place which sets out clear expectations

• There is an emphasis on belonging and social responsibility (what does that mean?)

• There is an emphasis on building good relationships between adults and children, and between children themselves (how do you do this?)

The 5 Rs

Rights (teachers and pupils)

Choices

Routines (why are these so important?)

Rules

Responsibilities

Negative consequences

(sanctions)

Positive consequences

(rewards)

Inevitability (consistency, not

severity)

RELATIONSHIPS

Exception finding

• Changing the view of the problem

• Identifying successful moments

• Identifying times when the problem is less severe, less frequent, less long-lasting

‘If you keep on doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep on getting what you’re getting.’

Can you think of a situation that currently needs addressing? How might this way of thinking help?

We have covered:

• The importance of focusing on the positive

• What makes an ‘effective classroom’

• A framework for developing positive behaviour (the 5 Rs)

• Teachers’ and children’s rights and responsibilities

• Using exception finding to promote positive behaviour