BEHAVIOUR
Bottling best behaviour
Headteacher
We keep stats on the children and, controversially, They are also short: you can click
the staff and subjects as well. But only to take supportive on to a topic such as teacher use of
Ray Tarleton
or preventative action. It is strictly non-judgemental. It non-verbal signals and see the clip in
is reassuring for a teacher to know that a class or 30 seconds. You watch a teacher stop C1
individual is also tricky for others and that we are going some noisy pen tapping on the desk
explains how
to take action – extra support, moving some to other with such skill that you would miss it
sets, informing parents, or working with individuals. if you blinked.
Wha
Wha
t can
t’s
be done to
his school has
There are posters everywhere (see right), reminding For each clip, there are “live hints” happening?
improv
e
the students that they are responsible for their actions lists which scroll down automatically
learning?
‘bottled’ its teachers’
and that disruption will lead to parking after a couple on screen; and an optional follow-up
of warnings. The system and clarity about how we all where the teacher and then the child
work is close to a brand image now with parents as well speak to camera, explaining what
methods and advice on
as students. happened from their perspective.
There is such a lot of professional advice and The real value of this is in its
managing behaviour for
good practice locked away in each teacher’s repertoire flexibility as a tool for staff learning.
of skills. For example, I heard one teacher asking We do not have to subject everyone
the benefit of all
a child to give her three reasons why his behaviour to a long video of classroom
was dangerous. She did it so calmly and patiently and routines. Staff can pick and use the
STOP
, THINK, CHOOSE
worked the issues through with the individual that I was sections they want more ideas on.
impressed by how a negative situation had been turned We use it in discussion groups with
‘
T WASN’T my fault. It’s not fair.” into a learning opportunity. Would I have thought of trainees and NQTs.
I
If Stuart’s withdrawal from the lesson doing it like that? New staff have their own copy
by the teacher – we call it being “parked” – In another class, I watched a teacher gently explain and can watch clips several times
wasn’t his responsibility, who was to blame? to a child in front of the class why calling out was over on their own. It is interactive
Stuart trots out the next fairly typical unacceptable: she turned it into a learning opportunity and personal. And the material is
response: “It was Wayne who chucked the by asking why the rule existed that no-one shouted out. real for them as it was filmed using
How could
ruler but she thought it was me.” I ask He knew it was wrong, but he could also see why. teachers, not actors, practising the
I make better
How ha
ve
c
patiently: “So you heroically took the rap for something We decided that reducing variation in approaches by craft of teaching.
hoices
my actions
for myself?
you didn’t do?” teachers by sharing some of these effective strategies But I cannot remember if there
affected other
The next response doesn’t require an astrologer would be worthwhile. So we’ve “bottled” some of it for is a clip on dealing with the child
people?
either: “The teacher hates me. She always picks on colleagues, usually new staff. who says: “It’s not my fault. It’s
me.” Here we go: frustration and annoyance all round. The “bottles” are easy-to-use DVDs on managing not fair.” Better check that one
As in most schools, we spend a lot of time handling behaviour, which provide a personalised resource on out. SecEd
situations like this, trying to find a resolution. A best practice in dealing with behaviour problems.
member of the leadership team is “on duty” every We created the materials by asking teachers for • Ray Tarleton is head of South
period – Stuart arrived during one of my four stints in their most effective strategies linked to scenarios in Dartmoor Community College
the week. We will pass the child on to the one of our which they had used them. There are three categories: in Devon and a SecEd editorial
support staff who knows them and can decide on the Establishing Routines, Using Praise, and Managing panellist.
best strategy for the child. They are the real stars of the Disruption. They go from low-level disruption through
operation. to higher level confrontation.
Further information
Our role is to go to the class the child has been There are 40 classroom clips based on real events and Managing Behaviour, Exemplars
removed from and show support, sending out a clear teacher strategies. They were all filmed in classrooms to Support Your Teaching (Reelmedia Digital Clear messages: One of the South
message to the students that we are on the case. A busy with the teachers and although they are re-creations, the Productions Ltd) is available from mhawkins@ Dartmoor Community College behaviour
period means you move fast around the site – no need fact that they are based on actual incidents makes them southdartmoor.devon.sch.uk priced £19.99 (including posters, which help to ensure that students
for a gym workout on such days. real and powerful. postage and packaging). know where they stand
Notes and jottings Psycho babble
To sponsor, or not to sponsor? Facing up to rejection
WHEN IS a sponsor not a sponsor now that the This 14 to 19 school will teach GCSE maths, I WAS rather astonished to read this morning of yet something – the first real goal they have to move
government – in its pre-election wisdom (panic?) English and science alongside an intensive course in another assault on grammar schools. This time, they forward in their lives. Some will make it, some
and determination to reach the target of 400 schools something hands-on such as engineering. are criticised for bringing down the standards of won’t. This isn’t grounds for trauma; it’s grounds for
as quickly as possible – has decreed that sponsors Such schools used to exist in every area. Choice other local schools because children who fail to meet dusting themselves off, and setting another goal.
of academies need contribute only their expertise? and diversity before the term was invented? But all their entrance criteria need “extra support” because I live in an area in which independent schools
Money is no longer needed. Surely cashless were sacrificed on the comprehensive altar. of the rejection they have experienced – and the proliferate. Kids are routinely rejected at ages seven,
sponsorship is a contradiction in terms? I turn to my Now Lord (Kenneth) Baker, former Conservative deep-seated impact this has on their ability to learn. 11 and 13, as they attempt to get into some of the best
hefty, trusty dictionary. education secretary, is beavering away with senior What a load of codswallop. Just when you think schools. And, frankly, it’s much worse. Because these
The word sponsor derives from the Latin verb Labour ministers in the hope of creating 100 or so the government has begun to get a handle on the fact kids often sit interviews, and are individually assessed.
spondere – to promise solemnly. It is still used such schools. that we, as a nation, are raising a bunch of kids who The rejection is, therefore, much more personal. But
in that sense for sponsors of confirmation When I began teaching in south think it is their “right” to achieve at everything and do these kids then languish into academic obscurity
candidates in church. Otherwise all the London, there were fond memories of anything in life, and who have inflated belief in their for the remainder of their school careers? No, they
definitions given are, in some way, the successful technical school which abilities, they turn around and point the are encouraged to try again, to try different schools, to
connected with money. So I’m left had been politicised into the much finger at one element of the education make the most of what is on offer at the school
thinking that ministers are now less successful comprehensive system that actually is working. that does choose them. They don’t lead to the
overtly re-inventing language for school we were when I arrived. Facing rejection is a part of failure of local schools; they don’t demand
their own political ends. Nineteen Many of the staff had begun growing up. When kids never get extra resources for support. They are
Eighty Four country yet again. their careers as plumbers, the chance to fail, they never learn actually considered to be an asset.
Why couldn’t the groups the carpenters, metal workers and so from their mistakes, never examine And what about the catchment
government wants to run these 200 on and later moved into teaching. themselves, and are never given that area of selection, or even the lotteries
academies be called advisers, or Such schools still exist in Germany, kick of motivation that can push that exist in some councils? Try
supporters. I feel strongly about this alongside their academic and secondary them towards the road to success. telling an 11-year-old that it’s
because when far fewer schools had modern-type schools. Could it be why Do world class athletes reach “fair” that all of her friends can
specialisms and sponsors I wrote Seeking Germany is still at the forefront of the top of their game because go to one school, but that she
Sponsorship. It was the how-to guide which industry and the UK is not? they’ve won every race on the has to go to another five miles
the Specialist Schools Trust (now the way to success? No, they’ll have away because she doesn’t live in
Specialist Schools and Academies One of the writing genres I was meant experienced plenty of failure on the right street.
Trust or SSAT) sent out to schools to expose students to when I was the way, and that makes them Frankly, that’s not fair. In
which were hoping to persuade some teaching Edexcel A Level English even more determined to succeed. this case, children are powerless.
local business to cough up £100,000 as language and literature was science They’ll have learned from failures, Grammar schools set guidelines, and
the requirement then was. Later, after writing and, as a non-scientist, I always and come back with a new battle carefully delineate the goalposts. Of
the reduction of that up-front sum to struggled a bit to find suitable stuff. plan. Similarly, failing to make the course there will always be some who fall
£50,000, I did a revised second edition. Now the new paperback edition of The school choir, sports team, debating squad just short of the line, and, sure, those cases can
Whether, of course, it is sensible to allow Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing or even band of prefects doesn’t create shoals be distressing. But we are talking short-term distress
interest groups – because that’s what these edited by Richard Dawkins (who else?) has of whimpering kids sitting at home licking their here – not post-traumatic stress disorder that will go
charities, religious establishments, independent arrived on my desk and I think it’s a must for wounds; it creates fighters. And that’s what this on to disrupt their education for years to come.
schools, parents’ organisations and so on are English departments. country and this school system needs: kids who will Failing to make the grade teaches kids something
– to assume responsibility for state schools with Browsing through the likes of GH Hardy, Albert fight for their dreams – fight for what they believe in. about life. It prepares them for the fact that they
minimal accountability is another question all together. Einstein, Steven Pinker, Lewis Wolpert, and many The greatest irony of all is that grammar school may not always get the things they want, and that
And a very serious one. No wonder the teaching more writing on subjects as diverse as flowers, sand, selection is completely and utterly fair. Children with work is required. This sets them in good stead for
unions and others have had so much to say on the relativity, thermodynamics, language and multiple academic talent, or the ability to apply themselves, employment, for further education, and even for
subject in the last couple of weeks. universes makes you realise that many scientists deserve their place. They don’t need money; they successful relationships.
were/are as inventive with the pen as in the lab. don’t need high profile parents; they don’t need an So, Mr Balls, don’t look at grammar-school rejects
Still on the subject of different sorts of schools, I was There is some really wonderful writing here over-scheduled child CV or siblings at the same as damaged, worthless goods. They’ll have a lot to
interested to see that the first new technical school – incisive, colourful, informative and entertaining. school. They need to shine academically, and for offer, and probably the best reasons for offering it.
since the 1950s is due to open in the West Midlands most kids, that’s down to them.
in 2012, sponsored (with cash?) and run by Aston • Susan Elkin is a freelance education journalist and Furthermore, it may, for some children, be the • Karen Sullivan is a bestselling author, psychologist
University. former teacher. first opportunity they have to actually “go for” and childcare expert. Email kesullivan@aol.com
SecEd • October 1 2009 7
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