A national campaign to tackle bad behaviour in schools has been suggested, with some parents showing "defiance" to policies and excusing the actions of their children, according to Estyn. Wales' schools inspectorate said since the pandemic, secondary schools have reported a general decline in behaviour, with the most challenging pupils becoming "increasingly hard to manage". It called for a national campaign to address the issues, withfixed term exclusionsof five days or less, rising from 12,774 instances in 2018-19 to 22,945 in 2022-23. The Welsh government said it would ensure "everything possible" was done to address declining behaviour in schools and colleges. Poor behaviours by pupils ranged from talking in class to threats of violence against teachers and classmates, staff told Estyn. Common issues included answering the teacher back or disrespecting staff, refusing to complete work and not going to lessons. It said there were concerns about poor behaviour in corridors, mobile phone misuse, vaping and increased anxiety amongst pupils. School staff told Estyn that parents sometimes challenged the approach to behaviour and many described a few parents as "unsupportive, sometimes undermining staff by excusing poor behaviour". "A very few parents displayed aggressive behaviour towards leaders and staff when presented with concerns about their child's behaviour," the report said. Estyn urged the Welsh government to update national behaviour management guidelines because "there is no relevant, practical and current guidance to support schools, pupils or their families in dealing with behaviour and promoting positive behaviours". It said the Welsh government should "develop a national campaign with local authorities to promote and explain the importance of good behaviour with parents, carers and pupils". A spokesperson for the government said it welcomed Estyn's report which highlighted the issues faced by schools and what could be done to address them. "Making sure learners and staff feel safe and supported in our educational settings is essential," they said. "We will be discussing these points further at our behaviour summit later this month, where we will also reflect on today's roundtable on violence and safety in schools and colleges." Data shows exclusions are on the increase, with a particular jump in fixed-term exclusions of five days or less - up from 12,774 instances in 2018-19 to 22,945 in 2022-23. The rate of fixed-term exclusions was almost three and a half times higher for pupils eligible for free school meals compared to their classmates, the report said. Pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) also had significantly higher rates of exclusion. "These exclusion rates are a considerable concern and give us some indication of the increasing number of pupils demonstrating extremely challenging and complex behaviour," the report, focused on promoting positive behaviour in secondary schools, said. Inspectors said schools that were the best at promoting good behaviour had high expectations of pupils and staff, a strong focus on wellbeing and effective behaviour policies which were applied consistently. But they said it was difficult to fully understand the extent of the problem because there was no national system to collect data on incidences of poor behaviour. The report said most school leaders felt overall support from the Welsh government, local authorities and school improvement services were "inadequate". They said there was a lack of alternative provision and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) were often full. Reduced funding and staff cuts also hindered progress in addressing challenges, according to school leaders. The 1,700 responses to a pupil survey suggested that students had a more positive view than teachers of behaviour in lessons, but many said behaviour improved when teachers respected them and treated them fairly. Some headteachers who completed the survey called for "a national strategy involving mobile phone bans, increased funding for specialist provision and clearer accountability for parents". Responses from school staff suggested they were frustrated by inconsistent enforcement of behaviour policies and by the impact the behaviour of a few pupils had on learning for the majority. Chief Inspector Owen Evans said: "Pupil behaviour can be challenging and positive behaviour doesn't just happen - it's the result of strong and compassionate leadership allied to clear and consistently applied behaviour management, consistent staff training and involves the support of the whole school community." An earlier Estyn report on behaviour in further education colleges highlighted similar concerns about worsening behaviour.
'Defiance' from parents over bad school behaviour
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Estyn Calls for National Campaign to Address Declining Student Behavior in Welsh Schools"
Bbc News
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
A concerning trend regarding student behavior in Welsh secondary schools has emerged, prompting Estyn, the national schools inspectorate, to call for a comprehensive campaign to address the issue. Since the onset of the pandemic, schools have reported a notable decline in student conduct, with instances of challenging behavior becoming increasingly difficult for educators to manage. The report highlighted a significant rise in fixed-term exclusions, with the numbers escalating from 12,774 in the 2018-19 academic year to 22,945 in 2022-23. This increase reflects a broader deterioration in behavior, encompassing a range of issues from minor disruptions, such as talking in class, to more severe actions, including threats of violence against teachers and peers. Staff members indicated that poor behavior is not only prevalent in classrooms but also in school corridors, where issues like mobile phone misuse and vaping are common, contributing to a climate of anxiety among students. Furthermore, the report noted that some parents are undermining school efforts to manage behavior, with a minority displaying aggression toward educators when confronted with their children’s misconduct.
In response to these challenges, Estyn has urged the Welsh government to revise national behavior management guidelines, emphasizing the need for practical and current resources to support schools, students, and families. The report advocates for a collaborative national campaign with local authorities aimed at promoting the importance of positive behavior to parents and students alike. The government has acknowledged the issues raised in the report and has committed to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for learners and staff. Moreover, school leaders have expressed concerns about inadequate support from governmental and local authorities, citing insufficient funding and resources for alternative provisions. The report calls for a strategic approach that includes mobile phone bans and increased funding for specialized educational support. Overall, the findings indicate that improving student behavior will require strong leadership, consistent policy enforcement, and the active involvement of the entire school community.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the increasing concerns regarding student behavior in Welsh schools, particularly after the pandemic. It points out the challenges faced by educators and the growing defiance among some parents towards school policies. The report by Estyn underlines the need for a national campaign to address these issues and improve student behavior.
Parental Defiance and Its Impact
It is noted that some parents are exhibiting defiance against school policies, often excusing their children's misbehavior. This creates a challenging environment for teachers who report feeling undermined by unsupportive parents. The mention of a few parents displaying aggressive behavior towards school staff when confronted with their child's actions indicates a broader issue of parental involvement and responsibility in education.
Rising Behavioral Issues
The article emphasizes the surge in disciplinary actions, with short-term exclusions rising significantly in recent years. This alarming trend suggests a decline in discipline and respect within schools, affecting the overall learning environment. The types of misbehavior reported, ranging from classroom disruptions to threats of violence, paint a concerning picture of current school dynamics.
Call for National Campaign
Estyn's recommendation for the Welsh government to launch a national campaign aimed at promoting positive behavior among students and educating parents reflects an urgent need for systemic change. This initiative could help create a more supportive community around schools, addressing the root causes of behavioral issues rather than merely reacting to them.
Implications for Education Policy
The Welsh government's acknowledgment of these challenges indicates a potential shift in education policy. By responding to Estyn's report, they may initiate changes that could lead to better behavior management and support for both teachers and students. This could also enhance the perception of schools as safe and conducive learning environments.
Community Response and Support
The article suggests that the discussion surrounding student behavior may resonate more with certain community groups, particularly those who value educational discipline and parental accountability. This could mobilize support for the proposed initiatives, leading to a more engaged and responsible community approach.
The overall intent behind this article seems to be to raise awareness of the declining behavior in schools and to rally support for necessary changes. It presents a narrative that encourages stakeholder involvement in the education system, highlighting the importance of collaboration between schools and families to foster a positive learning environment. The manipulation potential is moderate, as it emphasizes parental defiance while seeking to unite community efforts towards improvement.
In terms of reliability, the article draws from an official report, establishing a credible basis for its claims. However, the framing of certain parents as defiant could lead to polarized opinions within the community, potentially overshadowing the complexities of the issue.