What must I do to maintain discipline in lessons?

OK....we are dealing with lively, enquiring minds of young people. you must expect challenges to order and procedures from pupils. In some cases this will disrupt the flow of the lesson and affect teaching and learning.

To minimise these disruptions it is important that everyone follows basic procedures:

1. Adopt a zero tolerance to disruption

(a) No shouting out. Hands up to respond to a question or ask a question.

(b) No moving around the room without the permission of the teachers. Do not accept  "Yes, but...." from any pupil unless it is a matter of health and safety.

(c) Following Health and Safety Rules at all times

(d) No students in the classroom without a teacher.

(e) No aggressive behaviour of any form, including personal insults to other members of the class.

(d) Low level disruption can build so easily into a major disruption. Any level of disruption should be addressed!

(f) Maintain your own self-discipline.  Try to remain cool,calm and in control. Do not allow situations to build up so they make you angry/aggressive. Avoid confrontation situations.  Remove a pupil to allow cooling off period to take effect. Seek support!

2. Provide suitable work/activiities for students

In some cases disruptive behaviour arises from inappropriate tasks for students.

(a) Ensure that the tasks are appropriate for the students

(b) Try to make the lessons fun and exciting!

(c) Have a range of activities

(d) Make sure the students know what they are to do, and what you expect of them by the end of the activity!

(e) Avoid copying out!  This is a virtually useless activity, and students can often hide behind this, and use it as an excuse for 'doing my work'!

(f) Adopt and use a starter, activities, plenary session structure to lessons.

(g) Give individual students individual targets for lessons (not everyone will able to complete work to the same standard/attainment)

(h) Have a sense of humour!  Don't take life too seriously. Of course you can share a joke with students, as long as you are aware of how to control the boundaries. If you can't do this, then avoid 'jokes' .