Promoting positive behaviour in the education sector

A Union survey in April 2021 found that 6% of teachers said they had been subjected to physical violence by pupils in the past year. The survey also reports that 38% were subject to verbal abuse. 

It is vital that teachers and support staff feel safe in the workplace. They need to have the necessary training to not only deal with abuse should it occur but reduce the risk of it happening. 

Children’s behaviour in the classroom

The press reported in 2021 that children’s behaviour had deteriorated post-covid and during the periods of lockdown. But this is not a new situation.  

In 2011, a survey of teachers reported that it was believed that children’s behaviour had worsened between 2006 and 2011. This survey said that the behaviour of boys was more of a challenge than that of girls still, the actions of each sex had deteriorated, according to 56.5% of staff surveyed (Association of Teachers and Lecturers).

Environmental factors can influence children’s behaviour in the classroom. Our traditional classrooms are based on a design from over 100 years ago. This doesn’t account for lifestyle changes that have resulted in children being taller and bigger. WHO reports that the weight of a 14-year-old-male has increased from 5st 10lb in 1970 to 8st 7lb. Mix in the height increase from 4ft 10 to 5ft 8, and it may feel that the room has shrunk when 30 plus kids turn up to class. The size of the room, and scaled-down furniture, can add to the pressure in a challenging situation. 

Whatever the cause, it is vital that educational institutions, teachers, and adults in charge have strategies for promoting positive behaviour in schools. 

Promoting positive behaviour

James, our training and development manager, says: ‘It is easier, and recommended, to have a proactive approach to encourage positive behaviour and manage behaviour in the classroom. Avoiding pupils getting bored, or struggling, will help to manage a situation before it escalates into violence’

‘Descriptive praise guides an individual towards positive behaviour, rather than the usual ‘well done’ ‘good job’, descriptive phrase states precisely what the individual has done that was good:

‘You’re speaking quietly now; you’ve stopped shouting.’

‘You’ve stayed calm and not got angry.’

‘You’ve tidied up your things well.’

‘You’ve done what you were asked straight away.’

A delegate from Fairfield Infant School said: ‘IKON was fantastic and offered lots of support. they were extremely knowledgeable and gave us lots of skills and techniques that should benefit us. I liked how it was adapted to meet the needs of our pupils.’

Training 

Knowing how to de-escalate and when to step in is so important. Here at IKON, we provide classroom-specific training to make sure that all staff feel safe in their place of work, and they are also able to help keep others feeling safe in the classroom. 

We ensure that our courses are specifically developed to tackle the challenges of those working in schools, colleges and centres of further learning and align with industry best practices and legislation. 

The students and staff can feel safe by learning skills to manage challenging behaviour.

To find out more: https://ikontraining.co.uk/courses/education-and-further-learning/