The Four Reasons for Poor Behaviour
The four reasons for poor behaviour:
1. The pupil
Some students display behaviours that challenge. For various reasons (too numerous to go into here, but we all know what they are anyway) some kids don’t like to, don’t want to or can’t follow our simple and reasonable instructions.
2. The cohort
Sometimes our classes contain a selection of ‘characters’ who combine to create a devastating type of negative synergy. Falling out, power-plays, one-up-man-shipping and showing-off can all contribute to tough times in class.
3. The teacher
Sometimes teacher competence doesn’t match behavioural challenge. Teachers newer to the profession, in need of CPD or those stuck in a loop of ineffective strategies can have rings run around them by even the most compliant of classes.
4. Systems and support
This factor describes the extent to which school systems fail to support teachers in the implementation of robust systems to deal with challenging behaviour. It also includes systems to support teachers who are struggling to deal with any of the factors above.
Balance is essential
The key here for senior leaders and teachers is to look at these factors with more balance. Teachers shouldn’t always to look to blame school systems for a failure to manage behaviour. Nor should they dismiss an individual or class as impossible to deal with. Likewise, school leaders who take a more holistic approach to dealing with behaviour are more likely to achieve success. Senior leaders who blame teacher competence or cite lack of lesson engagement for poor behaviour are missing three essential avenues to better behaviour, relationships and learning.
