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Good behaviour must be on show
Written by Paul DixThose of you who have recently been through the OFSTED mangle - or skipped through inspection with annoying smugness - may think that ‘behaviour' is dead. So long live "attitudes to...
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Stick to the routine
Written by Paul Dix.Your first term as a new teacher started brilliantly. You had some ideas on how to manage behaviour but put them aside as it seemed they wouldn't be needed. The children responded...
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Are you a lion tamer or a horse whisperer?
Written by Paul Dix.If you are not an advocate of the aggressive, sanction-based method of behaviour management, then some schools can be a very lonely place to work.I met a teacher recently whose...
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Incoming!
Written by Paul DixScenario:There is a rumour in the staff room. You know that you shouldn't get involved but you can't help yourself. There is a new child arriving. A wayward scholar who, after some...
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Lost your cool? Learn to regain authority
Written by Paul DixRegaining your authority after a catastrophic loss of face is not a quick fix. You could call in the big hitters, police each lesson with growling heads of faculty and book a season...
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Sometimes the lion needs to roar
Written by Paul Dix Scenario:There is a corner of the school that you have still not fully explored. It is not that you fear "the old shelter", it is just that the older boys hang out there and they...
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Learning from the PRUs
Written by Paul DixIn many mainstream schools there are tell tale signs of a deep misunderstanding of human behaviour. You can hear it in conversations between adults. In throw away lines."We have...
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Lemsip heroes
Written by Paul DixYou are not well. You knew it when you woke up but ignored it. Now you can feel the clammy palmed early signs of fever and the drums of relentless head pounding are marching towards...
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Can schools justify the use of physical force?
Written by Paul DixUsing lawful, proportionate restraint when it is necessary to keep children safe is a hefty responsibility for any teacher. When restraint is used to control behaviour, a line is...
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The Great Escape
Written by Paul Dix.Yestin likes home a great deal more than he likes school. Some children pine for home, others cry for their mum but Yestin just legs it; fast. Sit him near the door and turn your...
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“What is the point of teaching him English when he is going to die soon?”
Written by Paul DixFour armored cars, 6 bodyguards and two motorcycle outriders are what it takes to deliver some of the children to St Paul's School in Sao Paulo. The threat of kidnap is very real for...
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Is he or isn’t he?
Written by Paul DixMarlon likes routine, hates change and interprets life differently. He is a lovely child but needs careful management. In moments of desperate frustration he will attack wildly....
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Celebrating the work of the outsiders
Written by Paul DixWhen a student tells a teacher to "fuck off", you would assume a pretty universal response of sanctions and reports to senior management would follow.There is a place, however, where...
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When points mean prizes
Written by Paul DixScenarioThe parents are muttering again. The children have been in open revolt for some time. As Easter approaches the wall chart shows the token economy of the classroom has its...
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Big Beasts of Behaviour
Written by Paul DixEvery school has a Big Beast. In some schools they roam the corridors ready to pounce on straggling children who have become separated from the pack. In others they are kept caged in...
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School Bus Project
For Christmas week we are thrilled to have a guest blog from Kate McAllister of the School Bus Project. Pivotal Education are making a donation to the project instead of sending out Christmas cards to...
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Too Late?
Written by Paul DixScenario:Abigail is forever late.She walks in with a mumbled apology, provides the requisite scribbled note from Mum "Sos, late xx" and takes her place. Some days it is five minutes,...
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The Mavericks
Written by Paul Dix.Top Gun rules of engagement are written for your safety and for that of your team. They are not flexible, nor am I. Either obey them or you are history. Is that clear?.Open...
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How to manage behaviour as a middle leader
Written by Paul Dix 1. ModdlinThe model for the team must be set by the middle leader. In behaviour, this must be a model of emotional resilience. A calm, relentless pursuit of excellent conduct. Some...
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King of the Hill
Written by Paul DixScenarioJack is famous. ‘King of the Hill' for all the wrong reasons. His notoriety has steadily increased; his reputation sends a cold shiver through the staff room and younger...
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