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BETTER BEHAVIOUR: PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR IN SCOTTISH SCHOOLS
Getting Around the table
Round Table Seminars for Headteachers Get Rolling
CENTRAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THESE EVENTS WAS THE HEADTEACHERS WILLING TO SHARE THEIR PRACTICE AND STRATEGIES WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES.
A key strand of the Executive's work on discipline is the recognition and promotion of good practice among education practitioners.
Peter Peacock, Minister for Education and Young People, flagged up early on that he intended to increase opportunities for headteachers to share their practice on successful strategies to promote positive behaviour in their schools. When the events were announced early this year, all four events became quickly over-subscribed.
Overwhelmed by the positive feedback from headteachers to the four Round Table events on Promoting Positive Behaviour held in north and central Scotland this spring, the Scottish Executive is planning to roll out the programme to reach all corners of Scotland over the coming year.
The events bring 25 headteachers together in a short seminar and discussion. Evaluation feedback shows that the opportunity to share ideas, participate in discussion and network during the dinner, was appreciated and that the small group approach is appreciated. Jean Cessford of Blairgowrie High has developed this successful programme during her part-time secondment to the Scottish Executive, and is planning further events for primary and secondary headteachers and heads of special schools.
Central to the success of these events was the headteachers willing to share their practice and strategies with their colleagues. Lorraine Brody of Kirkhill Primary in Aberdeen, reflected with North East colleagues on whole-school approaches and the 'no-shouting' philosophy by teachers in her school, while Pam Hamilton of Dirleton Primary in East Lothian discussed the role of pupil voice in setting the climate of her school. For secondary colleagues, Neal McGowan, formerly secretary to the Discipline Task Group and now headteacher of Banchory Academy in Aberdeenshire, gave an overview of key issues in school discipline, and David MacDonald of Arbroath Academy, Angus, shared his story of school and staff recovery following a difficult inspection, called 'Trust Your Staff - and Tell Them!'.
Two double-acts featured in the central Scotland events. Agnes Burns of St Jude's Primary in Glasgow shared with primary audiences her underlying philosophy for dealing with challenging behaviour of both pupils and parents is 'be civil til your nose bleeds'; while co-presenter Jackie Maclean of Shortlees Primary, East Ayrshire, described the fancy footwork involved in maximising the use of staffing and resources to implement positive behaviour strategies. Both presenters emphasised the importance of the caring primary school environment for pupils living in challenging circumstances, and this was a theme reflected in the secondary event with Dan McGinty of St Columba's High in Perth and Lindsay Roy of Inverkeithing High in Fife, who also explored the practical dilemmas headteachers face as leaders of large organisations.
Many participants in these Round Table events shared with us examples of their own practice, contributing to the rich picture that is developing of the positive work in Scotland. News of further events in your area will be sent direct to headteachers and posted on www.betterbehaviourscotland.gov.uk
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