No matter how angry you are, always let pupils tell you their version of events. What you see going wrong isn’t always the full story. Even the worst pupil in the room can sometimes be the innocent party, although all your instincts will not be in their favour. You hold the scales of justice in your hands. Use them fairly and don’t let stress and exhaustion colour the truth.
Top Tips for Teachers is published by Luath for the General Teaching Council for Scotland. www.luath.co.uk.
Illustration: Bob Dewar.
