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There is nothing Dickensian about a well-ordered, disciplined classroom

Gavin Williamson launches Behaviour Hubs programme to help schools develop and sustain good behaviour

Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson in his office at the Department of Education 
'Out-of-control behaviour will destroy the wholesome and happy environment that every school should be,' says the Education Secretary Credit: Stefan Rousseau /PA

Now that children have returned to school they will be putting in some hard yards to make up any learning they may have lost due to the disruption caused by the pandemic. This longed-for return to the classroom will give them the structure and order they desperately need, somewhere they feel safe and ready to learn. Equally important, it is providing them with the opportunity to be with friends, to reconnect socially and to rediscover the joy of play.

Although remote learning was a tremendous success in terms of enabling children to carry on with their lessons from home, the lack of regular structure and discipline will inevitably have had an effect on their behaviour.

There is bound to be a period of adjustment as everyone settles back into the rhythms of the classroom but we know that some children will find this more challenging than others.

Maintaining good discipline is an absolute must in any classroom and is one of our key priorities.

Teachers can’t teach if they are struggling to maintain control and pupils can’t learn if they are being constantly distracted by other children.

Out-of-control behaviour will also destroy the wholesome and happy environment that every school should be, leading to bullying, and turning the playground from a place of joy to a jungle.

Even before the pandemic we knew the effect of misbehaviour on lost learning time was significant and that it affected disadvantaged pupils more than any other.

That’s why I am totally behind schools and colleges taking firm action to create a disciplined and calm environment and putting in place a strong behaviour culture where students are taught how to behave well and are clear about what is expected of them.

We prioritised behaviour and discipline in our manifesto. Through our Behaviour Hubs programme we will help schools to develop and sustain a culture where good behaviour is the norm, reinforced consistently by all staff, and where pupils are taught how to behave well so they can learn well.

The hubs will be led by behaviour expert Tom Bennett and we have just selected the lead schools which will offer support to others.

Because I back teachers and heads to manage their schools and classrooms, I also back them to take the necessary action when faced with persistent bad behaviour. This could be detentions, suspension or – as an absolute last resort – expulsion.

I know that parents understand the need for greater discipline in school. They want to know that their children are in a safe and secure environment where they have a chance to flourish.

They would expect children to be in orderly rows or groups, listening to a teacher who didn’t have to shout to be heard. They would expect teachers to be firm and fair with those who are not behaving as they should and that schools provide appropriate support for pupils who need it, so that they behave well.

While technology has been invaluable in keeping children learning during lockdowns and we support its use, it’s now time to put the screens away, especially mobile phones. Let’s be totally clear here. We are not talking about the controlled use of a tablet or a laptop in class, as part of a lesson, this is about creating a calm and orderly environment where everyone can learn. I know that parents understand the difference and they too believe the school day is a time for learning.

Outside the classroom, the use of mobile phones distracts from healthy exercise and good old-fashioned play. Worse, it acts as a breeding ground for cyberbullying, and the inappropriate use of social media sites – such as anonymous Instagram accounts, where students are ranked on their appearance – which can heighten insecurities, damage mental health and encourage harassment. This is not something that we will tolerate.

While it is for every school to make its own policy, I firmly believe that mobile phones should not be used or seen during the school day, and will be backing headteachers who implement such policies.

We will be consulting on how we can help heads remove phones from the school day, and other revisions to the behaviour and discipline and exclusion guidance, later in the year.

There are many schools that are doing amazing work raising the life prospects of young people in some of our most deprived areas. For example, Dixons Multi-Academy Trust in Bradford achieves some of the best exam results in the country, with an ethos that is underpinned by a warm, but strict, behaviour policy and system.

We are working hard to ensure every child fulfils their potential and goes on to seize all the opportunities life can offer them. If they haven’t learnt the importance of basic good manners, of courtesy and of respect for others, they will certainly struggle when it comes to making their way in adult society.

There is nothing Dickensian about a classroom that is a well-ordered, disciplined environment, where firm and fair teaching gives every child the chance to learn and develop at their own pace without fear of distraction. I know parents expect this and I know children need it, now more than ever.

Read more: Children have lacked 'discipline and order' during lockdown, warns Gavin Williamson

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