Behaviour

Assertive girls are often labelled for expressing strong opinions but you wouldn’t dream of calling a boy ‘plucky’ or ‘sassy’, says Erica Johnson-Cook

Anecdote and opinion dominate debates about children’s exclusion from school. But what does the evidence say about how we should approach this divisive issue? Loic Menzies and Abi Angus attempt to get to the bottom of what we know about exclusion, whom it affects and why

Teachers need to remember that abuse could happen on their watch – but we can help to reduce risk, says Amy Forrester

Neurodivergent pupils are not being defiant when their behaviour does not conform, warns this autistic teacher

These are some of the darkest days I’ve known as a head, says Patrick Moriarty – but we need to face our shame head-on

An unwise drinks decision on a school trip resulted in a frosty reception and a valuable lesson about rewards for Nathan Burns

Instead of barking orders and establishing prohibitive rules, there is a way to steer students towards desirable conduct with minimal effort on the part of school leaders, finds Jo Clemmet. It involves using behavioural psychology to subtly prod young people into making the right decisions for themselves

PRUs are too often viewed as somewhere children go when they “can’t” be educated – a narrative that does a disservice to staff and students

Instead of focusing on girls’ uniforms and self-defence classes, we need to change boys’ attitudes, says Emily Gunton

If one of your students tells you that Covid is a hoax created by the Illuminati, should you go there? Paul Read did

Unsettling feelings can trigger a fight-or-flight stress response that can impact on teaching and learning, researchers warn. Irena Barker ponders what schools can do to make pupils and staff feel more secure in these unpredictable times

Gavin Williamson recommends teaching in rows – but that assumes a certain kind of subject and pupil, says Jarlath O’Brien