Difficult behaviour

1 It's easy to become defensive and get into a negative frame of mind when dealing with difficult pupils. Stay positive instead. See your most troublesome students as an exciting challenge to your teaching skills. 'Ham it up', really overdoing how positive you feel. If a child refuses to work, remind him of the fantastic exercise that he completed for you last lesson. If a student is sullen or aggressive, overwhelm the negative attitude with your positive approach.

2

What we see as troublemaking is often related to boredom or disaffection. Counter this by appealing to your students' interests, encouraging them to see school as relevant to their lives. Aim to make your lessons as engaging as possible. Starting the lesson with a 'bang' will help capture your students' attention. For instance, you might set up a realistic 'crime scene' and ask the class to solve the crime.

3

Sometimes one student with a 'reputation' will lead the rest of the class into making trouble. Get these individuals on side by developing positive relationships with them. You might do this by having a social chat in the corridor or the playground, or by getting the student involved in an extra-curricular activity.

4

When handling misbehaviour, keep your interactions private, particularly when dealing with really difficult students. Never give a difficult pupil the oxygen of publicity by dealing with him or her in front of the whole class. This only ups the stakes and is far more likely to lead to confrontations. Instead, talk discreetly to the student at their desk, or ask them to come to the side of the room for a chat.

5

Trouble can often be stopped in its tracks by simply removing whatever is causing the problem. If your difficult pupils fiddle with pens and paper while you are explaining the lesson, have a 'clean desk' policy until after the work is set. If a student is using a mobile phone, insist that it goes in his or her bag or it will be confiscated. If things are getting out of hand, send for a senior teacher to come and remove the tricky student from the classroom.

6

The class clown can undermine your confidence, distracting the other students from their work. If you can laugh with (but never at) your class comedians, you'll show that you are human, too. Humour is a great way of relieving tension in the classroom, so learn to laugh when something goes wrong.

7

Some difficult pupils try their hardest to make us dislike them by being surly or aggressive. Never allow these students to succeed in pushing you away. Instead, expect the very best from them, and be surprised rather than angry if they don't live up to your expectations. Show that you believe in all your students.

8

Insist that your students decide for themselves whether or not they are going to behave. Giving them a choice forces them to take responsibility for their actions. I do this by giving a difficult pupil 'the choice'.  He or she can then choose to do as I ask and see the 'nice' side of me, or they can choose to misbehave and accept the consequences.
Sue Cowley

Further information

www.teachernet.gov.uk/behaviourmanagement

This content was published in March 2004 and may not reflect current policy