NEW REPORT ON BEHAVIOUR AND ATTENDANCE

17 April 2008

In response to the findings of the Institute of Education’s report, Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe’s largest teachers’ organisation, said:

“This is a highly perceptive study. Rewarding good behaviour is not a soft option – it is the only option, if we are to encourage enthusiastic learners; neither is it an option to ignore bad behaviour. Strategic ignoring is far better than rewarding by attention when it comes to changing children’s behaviour.

“What is vital is that each school has a clear and transparent behaviour policy where penalties and rewards are recognised and accepted. Those who would characterise the study as one which encourages bad behaviour simply don’t understand what works in schools.

“The majority of schools have orderly environments and that is because teachers want to catch children being good.

“While serious behaviour problems may be relatively rare, it is clear that a minority of schools experience those problems disproportionately. They are the schools which need additional backing and support.

“The study confirms the NUT’s deep concern that teachers are constantly on the back foot because of the bad behaviour of some media celebrities. The ‘Buzzcocks’ syndrome might seem amusing but it simply undermines teachers’ efforts to continue to do their core job – that of teaching.”