Inadequate Behaviour Support in UK Schools 

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  1. Cases and Reports

  • A report by the Education Select Committee highlighted that mental health support for children struggling to attend school is “grossly inadequate”. The number of children absent from school has more than doubled since the pandemic3. 
  • Ofsted published a report at the end of the school year looking at the well-being of teachers. It found that managing poor behaviour in the classroom is one of the main causes of low morale. Teachers believe there is a lack of support for tackling poor classroom behaviour, either from school leaders or from parents8. 
  • A snapshot survey by the National Education Union of 3,981 teacher members working in English state schools revealed that 92% believe that current funding levels are not high enough to allow their school to employ enough teachers, or for other staff to support pupils’ learning9. 

  1. Articles

  • An article in The Guardian reported that school leaders have expressed widespread concern about deteriorating behaviour among pupils, coupled with a lack of support for school policies from some parents5. 
  • Another article highlighted that teachers feel unsupported on classroom behaviour. Ofsted found that managing poor behaviour in the classroom is one of the main causes of low morale8. 

  1. Blogs

  • A blog post on the National Education Union website mentioned that pupil behaviour is an issue for everyone working in schools. There are a range of reasons why behaviour that challenges is on the increase including reductions in support staff in classrooms and individual student support, the growth of unmet SEND need due to long waiting times for assessment and specialist support, and increased child poverty leading to hunger12. 
  • Another blog post on the BBC Teach website provides resources for mentally healthy schools. It brings together quality-assured mental health resources, information and advice for schools and further education settings in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales19. 

  1. Websites

  • The UK government’s website provides further guidance and resources for supporting behaviour in schools. It includes a review of behaviour management in schools, behaviour and discipline in schools, statutory guidance for governing bodies, and more11. 
  • The National Education Union’s website provides a checklist for schools and colleges for reviewing their behaviour policy12. 

  1. Government Initiatives and Guidance

  • The UK government has launched Behaviour Hubs to support schools struggling with poor discipline. Training for the first group of participating schools commenced from the start of the summer term13. 
  • The government also provides guidance on creating a culture, a review of behaviour management in schools, behaviour and discipline in schools, statutory guidance for governing bodies, and more11. 

  1. Unions and Ofsted

  • The National Education Union conducted a survey revealing that 92% of teachers believe that current funding levels are not high enough. This means their are insufficient funds available to allow schools to employ enough teachers, or for other staff to support pupils’ learning9. 
  • Ofsted has found that managing poor behaviour in the classroom is one of the main causes of low morale among teachers8. 

In conclusion, inadequate behaviour support in schools is a significant issue in the UK, affecting both teachers and students. Various factors contribute to this problem, including lack of funding, insufficient mental health support, and poor behaviour management. Efforts are being made by the government, Ofsted, and unions to address these issues and improve the situation. 

 

Source(s) 

  1. Warning over ‘grossly inadequate’ mental health support for schools …
  2. Teachers feel unsupported on classroom behaviour – GOV.UK
  3. Current school funding levels are inadequate
  4. Headteachers in England tell of worsening behaviour of pupils – and …
  5. Behaviour in schools | National Education Union
  6. Mental health and wellbeing support for teachers – BBC Teach
  7. Further guidance and resources for supporting behaviour in schools – GOV.UK
  8. Behaviour experts to support schools with poor discipline
  9. Disruptive behaviour in English schools worse since Covid, says …
  10. Almost two thirds of young people receive no support from school for …
  11. School behaviour management case studies report – GOV.UK
  12. Summary and recommendations: teacher well-being research report
  13. Teachers Well-being at work in schools and further education providers
  14. Teachers ‘buckling under strain’ of pupils’ mental health crisis
  15. Five things you need to know about behaviour in schools
  16. How we are tackling behaviour in schools to help maintain calm …
  17. Experts to help tackle poor behaviour in schools – GOV.UK
  18. Mental health of pupils is ‘at crisis point’, teachers warn
  19. Teacher Wellbeing Toolkit: Resources for helping your school tackle …
  20. Support for Teachers – Now and Beyond
  21. Compassionate support is needed in schools to alleviate teachers …
  22. 20 Best Education Blogs For Teachers (2024) – Third Space Learning
  23. Cuts could reduce education in England to ‘bare bones’, headteachers …
  24. What you need to know about behaviour and discipline in schools
  25. Behaviour: Wake-up call for schools as weeks of lessons lost
  26. https://t.co/vXwy6k5D0o
  27. https://www.theconfidentteacher.com

 

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