Posts Tagged ‘children’s education’

I don’t often have much time for the opinions of Ofsted. When you’ve seen as much bad behaviour in schools as I have and little being done about it - and then I’m told that Ofsted have been in and said everything’s fine!!

Children not being able to read confidently, not able do the work because it’s not differentiated to suit their ability level - if they could read this wouldn’t be a problem … discipline problems and bad behaviour not being addressed, head teachers insisting on following the latest government initiative without thinking of the impact on staff and children (for it to be dropped a few months later). I could go on but I’ll spare you my ranting for now…..

Back to my story - it’s reported that Ofsted have said improved behaviour will be seen at a primary school if there’s a stamp down on swearing - well that’s novel!!! To add the cherry on the cake - they say that strict discipline is essential - ‘Hip, Hip, Hooray !!!’ Why have they waited until now to state the obvious?

But, wait a minute, I sense a problem!!! Where on earth could there be a problem?? Well, schools, adults and society in general have lost their way when it comes to disciplining children. They’ve forgotten how. It’s regarded as negative. People think it’s harsh. They say it stunts children’s development.

An absolute load of dangerous rubbish ….. I have developed a system of behaviour management for children that is strict - but the children are confident, sociable and happy. And do you know what? They love coming to my classes. They know where they are - a fair, confident adult is in charge who won’t allow them to behave badly or in a way that children would often like to but would damage them. Instinctively, children know adults should be in control. Someone has to be in control and if the adults won’t take responsibility children soon take over! And that’s leading many children to hell in a handcart - tragic.

A boy in my class who was on the point of being removed permanently from mainstream school less than a year ago is ready to go back to school. His behaviour was so out of control then that school couldn’t cope with his violence and aggression. I have a problem though - he doesn’t want to go. He wants to stay where the expectations of work and behaviour are so high. His mum is so proud of him and his improved behaviour - she hardly recognises him! He’s a great kid.

To add to the mix we have another problem - adults who know that discipline must be implemented don’t have the skill to actually take the action needed. It’s perceived that disciplining children is about just shouting at children. Nothing could be further from the truth. Discipline is about learning effective behaviour management techniques, implementing them consistently and with confidence.

Any adult, teacher or parent, can learn to discipline children effectively and quite simply by using easy to follow behaviour management techniques consistently. Behaviour Bible shows you how to have well mannered, happy and hard working children who accept that adults are in charge.

Liz Marsden’s highly recommended book Behaviour Bible is crammed withessential information to help you effectively manage children’s behaviour in school. Liz is highly experienced in managing children’s extremely challenging behaviour and uses her extensive skills daily in the classroom and also trains teachers, students and parents. Read about her daily classroom experiences.