Want to be a good teacher? Then be a bit more like Clint!
Teachers have been told to behave like Clint Eastwood to earn the respect of pupils.
Fifty teachers attended a free seminar in Portsmouth about how to control behaviour in the classroom.
They were told they should be quiet and intimidating like the movie legend to best control a class of teenagers.
The Hollywood analogy was used by Jim Wood, assistant headteacher of Bay House School in Gosport, who also helps teach trainee teachers at Southampton University.
Mr Wood led the seminar organised by Southsea-based education centre Kip McGrath. It was the first of two in Portsmouth which was filled in less than two weeks and proved so popular that another one has been organised in April.
The teachers were told by Mr Wood: 'The Arnold Schwarzenegger style of teaching is to be strong and shouty.
'But most pupils say they love that. They find it entertaining because the teachers have lost control and they can see them going red in the face and their temples throbbing.
'The most effective though is the Clint Eastwood style of teaching. In films, the really tough men are not ones with big machine guns. They're the ones who stare and quietly say "I don't think you want to do that".
'There are times when you do need to shout. But good classroom management is about taking decisions. My instinct may be to shout. But if I stop for a second then I might think it would be better to use a quiet voice.'
Mr Wood gave several other examples at the seminar held at the Technopole building in Fratton, including: 'In the first 30 seconds of a new class stand quietly at the front looking at the pupils. It's intimidating. This is an important thing. The whole thing is an act. Treat the classroom as a stage.'
The watching teachers thought the seminar was worthwhile.
Jackie Westbury, who teaches science at Priory School in Southsea, said: 'We have our difficult classes but we've found shouting doesn't work as you lose control. This was a valuable experience as it increases your repertoire of skills even after many years' experience.'
And Cathy Peters, head of languages at Horndean Technology College, said: 'It was very good. Good long stares are very effective but I've learned new techniques such as the slow walk technique. It was impressive.'
TOP TIPS
The slow walk technique – If a child is doing something they shouldn't, look at them hard and start to walk slowly towards them. More often than not they will stop what they're doing. Also, walk arrogantly and slowly down the corridor past pupils.
Greet pupils – Stand by the door greeting pupils by saying 'nice to see you' and 'come in'. This creates a positive relationship.
Seating plans - Tape pupils' names to the desks. It's an organised atmosphere and they know where their place is.
Standing to attention - If pupils are talking, get them to stand up.
This has a ripple effect through the class. But don't accept a silence where pupils are still shuffling. Wait for a proper silence where they're standing still.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
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