Headteachers hit out at Education Minister's 'simplistic' vision to improve school behaviour

THE REGION’S headteachers and educationalists have criticised the Secretary of State for Education’s plans to tackle poor behaviour in schools and have described his vision as ‘too simplistic’.
The Cowplain School headteacher, Ian Gates, does not feel a universal strategy can apply to all schools.

Picture: Sarah StandingThe Cowplain School headteacher, Ian Gates, does not feel a universal strategy can apply to all schools.

Picture: Sarah Standing
The Cowplain School headteacher, Ian Gates, does not feel a universal strategy can apply to all schools. Picture: Sarah Standing

In an article for the Department for Education, Gavin Williamson outlined his vision for improved discipline in schools including escorting pupils round corridors, working in silence, banning mobile phones and ensuring children sit upright in chairs.

The vision is part of a £10m behaviour hub which will be led by schools with ‘exemplary practices’ and leading behaviour experts.

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Hordean Technology College headteacher, Julie Summerfield, feels Gavin Williamson's view is 'too simplistic'

Picture by:  Malcolm WellsHordean Technology College headteacher, Julie Summerfield, feels Gavin Williamson's view is 'too simplistic'

Picture by:  Malcolm Wells
Hordean Technology College headteacher, Julie Summerfield, feels Gavin Williamson's view is 'too simplistic' Picture by: Malcolm Wells
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However, while agreeing with the sentiment of improvement, many headteachers feel the application of draconian measures represent an ‘over-simplistic’ view which would simply not work.

Julie Summerfield, headteacher at Horndean Technology College, said: ‘This is an incredibly simplistic approach to apply to all schools who have vastly different intakes of students, many of whom may have special educational needs. Each individual school has its own system and specific needs.

‘He explains his vision for pupil behaviour but gives no explanation as to how he would achieve it.’

Simon Harrison, headteacher at Crofton School, added: ‘He references a number of very specific methods which may be claimed to have been successful in an individual school but would not be effective in every, or even most, schools.

Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has outlined his vision for discipline in schools as part of a national behaviour hub.

Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images.Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has outlined his vision for discipline in schools as part of a national behaviour hub.

Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images.
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has outlined his vision for discipline in schools as part of a national behaviour hub. Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images.
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‘A narrow range of ‘one size fits all’ solutions will not help students, parents or teachers. Fundamentally good behaviour in schools comes from setting clear expectations for everyone involved and building positive relationships with pupils and parents.’

Mr Williamson cited the achievements of Michaela Community School which he described as ‘Britain’s strictest’.

He stated: ‘Reading and writing exercises are conducted in silence and pupils are given demerits for things like forgetting their pens or slouching in class. Last summer, Michaela’s pupils – many of them from disadvantaged backgrounds – famously triumphed in their GCSEs.’

However, Ian Gates, headteacher at The Cowplain School, questioned the assumption that such methods would automatically translate to other schools.

Crofton School headteacher, Simon Harrison, has questioned whether the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson's vision for discipline in classrooms would be successful in schools.

Picture: Loughlan CampbellCrofton School headteacher, Simon Harrison, has questioned whether the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson's vision for discipline in classrooms would be successful in schools.

Picture: Loughlan Campbell
Crofton School headteacher, Simon Harrison, has questioned whether the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson's vision for discipline in classrooms would be successful in schools. Picture: Loughlan Campbell
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Mr Gates said: ‘Trying to impose a set of behaviours that worked in one place, such as a Free School in London started from scratch, like Michaela, may be problematic if children and parents didn’t initially sign up for that ethos.’

Mr Gates also cited what he feels is a conflicting understanding as to what constitutes good behaviour.

‘The Department for Education and Ofsted need to talk to each other so they come to a common understanding of what good behaviour is,’ he added. ‘At the moment they seem very distant.’

The publication comes at a time when Portsmouth City Council is looking to address an increased number of exclusions across the city.

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Cabinet member for education, Cllr Suzy Horton, criticised Mr Williamson’s strategy in trying to impose sanctions rather than looking to address the root cause.

Cllr Horton said: ‘These government proposals are based on some worrying, cause-and-effect assumptions of the link between silence, control and attainment.

‘The reasons for some of the behaviour challenges in classrooms are complex and include curriculum changes, high stakes testing, increased inclusion of special educational needs children as well as social and familial factors.

‘Schools should be focusing on resolving these but not through some moral authoritarianism.’

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National Education Union president, Amanda Martin, said feels a lack of funding is at the heart of the issue.

Ms Martin said: ‘Recent curriculum changes and rising class sizes make it much harder to engage and support children.’

While welcoming the £10m investment, headteachers also felt this was ‘too small’ to address the issue.

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