Briefing that shows that schools which succeed in engaging children and improving behaviour for the long term respond to their pupils’ needs by offering an authoritative approach to discipline which addresses the underlying causes of bad behaviour, which often lie in problems at home.
Section one reviews the evidence on effective approaches to improving behaviour and discipline in school, drawing on international research about authoritative discipline models in school which help children regulate their own. It then draws on findings from Ofsted inspection data which shows the importance of effective care, guidance and support in schools.
Section two provides evidence about what works when addressing the underlying causes of poor behaviour, based on information about two innovative Barnardo’s services working with clusters of schools in the east of England.