Expert brought in as complex behaviour places ‘significant pressure on teachers’

An education expert has been brought in to provide advice as “increasingly complex behaviour” places significant pressure on teachers and school leaders.

Tom Bennett is set to start his review this summer which is to develop new guidance for schools.

It is aimed to strengthen how behaviour is managed across the education system and will inform the development of a new Department of Education behaviour policy, as well as updated, practical guidance for schools.

Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan said the review is to ensure a clear, consistent approach is taken.

“Creating safe, calm and purposeful learning environments is essential to ensuring that every child and young person can succeed,” he said.

“I recognise that increasingly complex behaviour is placing significant pressure on our teachers and school leaders, adding to workload and taking valuable time away from teaching and learning.

“This review will help ensure our approach to behaviour is clear, consistent and underpinned by the best available evidence, while giving teachers the practical support they need in the classroom.

“Tom Bennett brings a wealth of experience from across education systems internationally and his expertise will be invaluable as we move forward.”

Mr Bennett, a former teacher who currently serves as an independent behaviour adviser to the Department for Education in England, has been tasked with examining Mr Givan’s department’s existing behaviour policy.

He is to consider how it can be strengthened to better-support schools in managing increasingly complex behavioural challenges.

The process is to include engagement with schools and stakeholders across the sector, a formal call for evidence and school visits.

It is also to identify effective practice and scalable approaches to behaviour management, with findings directly informing updated policy and guidance for schools.