
Behaviour management strategies for secondary teachers
Pupils misbehave when they’re bored or struggling, and as a teacher, this can derail your lesson plan. Those who are struggling in the classroom will find it difficult to regulate their emotions which is why it’s critical to take a proactive stance rather than a reactive one. But it’s not an easy task to maintain control over behaviour in a classroom - in fact, Ofsted reports that only one in three schools are judged as having satisfactory behaviour.
The following five behaviour management strategies can be used in your secondary classroom to help you foster a better learning culture. But before you start reading, remember that you must hold these standards for the whole school year because there is nothing more confusing for students than inconsistency.
Establish low-level behaviour expectations
A YouGov survey, commissioned by Ofsted, found that students are losing up to an hour of teaching time to low-level disruption, which amounts to 38 days over the course of the year. While a small amount to disruption in the classroom in unavoidable and perhaps necessary at times, it needs to be managed so that students are not missing out on almost 20% of their learning time.
Ofsted advises tackling this issue by establishing low-level behaviour expectations and using these as the basis for your expectation of students’ behaviour. Enforcing strict rules such as not chewing gum, having phones out or shouting out answers will convey to students that there is a high standard for behaviour in your classroom. Your pupils will become aware that if you won’t tolerate misbehaviour at this low-level then they certainly must respect the more serious rules. For this to be effective students must be clear on how you deal with bad behaviour. Here’s one strategy for directly dealing with misbehaviour.
Refrain from acting on secondary behaviours before you reprimand primary ones
Consider a scenario where a teacher has sent a student out of the classroom for talking and as they walk out, they slam the door. Does that sound familiar? It’s important in this situation to address the primary behaviour – talking – before the secondary, otherwise the student will determine that there are no repercussions for talking in your classroom. Take note of the secondary behaviour and be sure to reprimand for this later.
Be aware that negative secondary behaviours appear when students are having difficulty regulating their emotions and often, they don’t recognise that they are presenting a behaviour problem because they are reacting without thinking. Their behaviour is an attempt to communicate and understanding this can be stressful for teachers, which is why it is essential to develop stress coping mechanisms.
The when-then approach
This approach is a form of rewarding and giving privileges to your students – something that is just as important for secondary pupils as it is primary. Though in the long run rewards can undermine motivation to learn because students begin to work for the bonus, this strategy avoids that scenario because the reward is further learning. A great way to enforce this is to tell your classroom that once they complete the set task you will move on to playing an interactive game or watching a video – technology can be a great tool to support your lesson plan.
‘Catch them being good’
This behaviour strategy is formed from the understanding that children are motivated by attention and if they’re not getting it for their good behaviour they’ll start misbehaving. Here you can find 50 things to ‘catch them being good’ at. The reward for their good behaviour can be as simple as verbal praise, or if it’s a behaviour that a particular student rarely exhibits the reward should be amplified to reinforce it.
The 5-to-1 ratio
The 5-to-1 ratio method – commonly used by SEND teachers - expresses that for every negative interaction you have with a student, ensure that there are five positive ones. For example, if you have given criticism or reprimanded a pupil five positive interactions may be: a smile, praise, a friendly conversation, eye contact and positive feedback. And evidence proves this is an effective behaviour strategy - a 2017 study by Cook et al found that when teachers adopted this approach the level of disruption in their classroom reduced and students’ engagement consequently rose.
Teaching Personnel are here to help you find your next teaching job
Are you ready to put these behaviour strategies into practice? Start your search for a new secondary teacher job or focus your search by subjects. Teaching Personnel are always looking for maths teachers and science teachers.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£150 - 230 per day
Location free text
Birmingham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Birmingham
Description
ob Vacancy: Psychology Teacher Location: Birmingham Start Date: As soon as possible Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent Salary: Competitive, depending on experienceAn exciting opportunity has arisen f
Reference
Pschology B7
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£30k - 47k per year
Location free text
Oldham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
English
Location
Oldham
Description
Are you a qualified English teacher looking for a position which starts as soon as possible? If so, this may be the job for you. An exciting new opportunity has arisen at an Ofsted ‘good’ rated second
Reference
2313246357468
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondarySalary
£150 - 240 per day
Location free text
Sutton Coldfield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Art and Design
Location
West Midlands
Description
Job Title: Fully Qualified Art Teacher – Secondary School Location: Sutton Colfield Area Contract Type: Full-time / Part-time (Flexible) Salary: UPS / M Scale Start Date: ASAP or from Easter 2024Teac
Reference
Art Teacher Bishop
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£85 - 100 per day
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Manchester
Description
Teaching Personnel currently have multiple positions available for recent graduates to join one of our client schools in Manchester as Teaching Assistants.The highlights of this position will include:
Reference
2023
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£1.5k - 1.8k per month
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Manchester
Description
Teaching Personnel are currently recruiting for a Maths Teaching Assistant position for one of our client schools in Manchester. This position will be a full-time position, starting in September at th
Reference
2020
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£160 - 250 per day
Location free text
Coventry
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
ICT & Computing
Location
Coventry
Description
ARE YOU A QUALIFIED COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHER?DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE IN A UK SECONDARY SCHOOL? Teaching Personnel, the UK's leading education recruitment agency, are working i
Reference
Comp Sci CV6
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£120 - 150 per day
Location free text
Tameside
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Tameside
Description
Teaching Personnel is currently recruiting for Supply Teachers to support our client schools in the Tameside area.Our client schools in Tameside cover areas such as Denton, Hyde, Ashton-Under-Lyne and
Reference
2019
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South SecondaryAuthor
Manchester South SecondarySalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Milton Keynes
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Milton Keynes
Description
About TP Tutors At TP Tutors, we specialize in providing personalized tuition for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and those who have been excluded from mainstream education as well as LA
Reference
KG06/02Tutor-MK19
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£160 - 250 per day
Location free text
Solihull
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
Solihull
Description
QUALIFIED ENGLISH TEACHERS WE HAVE AN EXCITING FULL TIME POSITION FOR YOU!DO YOU WANT TO SECURE A JOB WITHOUT THE STRESS OF JOB APPLICATIONS DIRECT WITH THE SCHOOL?SICK OF YOUR APPLICATION NOT GETTING
Reference
English Teacher B92
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
FTE 24027 - £24348
Location free text
Fareham
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Fareham
Description
ob Title: Learning Support Assistant Location: Secondary School in Fareham Contract Type: Part-Time, Term-Time (28.5 hours per week, over 40 weeks) Working Hours: 8.30 am – 3.40 pm (Monday – Thursday)
Reference
TDLLSA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dominique KitsonAuthor
Dominique KitsonRelated posts

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
When you worked as a teacher, you may have looked forward to retirement, as it meant having more time for leisurely activities or spending more time with loved ones. However, the novelty of retire

by
Scott Owen
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having mental health problems has increased by 50%. According to a report by The Health Foundation, one in six children aged six to 16 in Englan

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
Recent reports state that special schools are seeing a decrease in enrollment. Many local authorities aim to integrate more children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) into mainst
by
Adam Davies
.jpg)
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
The festive season and the end of term are quickly approaching! To help you prepare, our Payroll team has shared all the essential dates you need to ensure you get paid before Christmas. Check out t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
.jpg)
Teaser
NurseryContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
The government has announced new nursery funding and the introduction of free before-school breakfast clubs. These initiatives will bring change to early education. Yet staffing them will be a c
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
On the 5th of November, we are excited to unveil our new eLearning platform, the Educator CPD Academy. This innovative platform will enhance your learning experience while maintaining a
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As 31st October approaches, it’s a significant date for many teachers in the UK who may be considering their professional future. Teaching has always been one of the most rewarding professions. Y
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Teaching assistants (TAs) are an invaluable part of schools today. Their dedication and hard work deserve to be celebrated! Their impact is so meaningful that pupils often remember the differenc
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
School is finally out for summer. Final-year students have left with scribbled shirts for pastures new. Final assemblies have taken place, and thank-you cards and gifts have been gratefully receiv

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Poor attendance has been an issue across the UK since the pandemic. According to recent statistics, pupil absenteeism in England soared to 22% by 2023. This equates to over 125,000 pupils missing
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job