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Engage with pupils, schools told Engage with pupils, schools told
(3 days later)
Schools need to involve their pupils in schemes to improve behaviour, while making lessons more interesting, inspectors have said.Schools need to involve their pupils in schemes to improve behaviour, while making lessons more interesting, inspectors have said.
An Ofsted report based on its secondary school inspections in England said poor behaviour was best tackled as part of a wider school improvement plan.An Ofsted report based on its secondary school inspections in England said poor behaviour was best tackled as part of a wider school improvement plan.
Closer links with parents also helped to resolve discipline issues, it said.Closer links with parents also helped to resolve discipline issues, it said.
The National Union of Teachers complained of "a return to the bad old days" of blaming problems on teachers.The National Union of Teachers complained of "a return to the bad old days" of blaming problems on teachers.
The Ofsted report covered the progress made in 2005 and 2006 by secondary schools which had been judged to have had unsatisfactory behaviour - 35 of which were deemed to be failing their pupils.The Ofsted report covered the progress made in 2005 and 2006 by secondary schools which had been judged to have had unsatisfactory behaviour - 35 of which were deemed to be failing their pupils.
It said: "The schools that made the best progress tackled the improvement of behaviour as part of a whole-school improvement programme.It said: "The schools that made the best progress tackled the improvement of behaviour as part of a whole-school improvement programme.
"They improved teaching and learning through focused training and coaching, and planned ways to make the curriculum more motivating."They improved teaching and learning through focused training and coaching, and planned ways to make the curriculum more motivating.
"They sought students' views about each stage of the improvement process, involved students in the improvement strategies and actively celebrated students behaving well.""They sought students' views about each stage of the improvement process, involved students in the improvement strategies and actively celebrated students behaving well."
'Bad old days''Bad old days'
But the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Steve Sinnott, said it was difficult to understand how Ofsted had come to its conclusion about teaching quality when it did not measure this during inspections.But the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Steve Sinnott, said it was difficult to understand how Ofsted had come to its conclusion about teaching quality when it did not measure this during inspections.
Students were fed up with changes in teachers and with temporary teachers who did not know them or how the school worked Ofsted reportStudents were fed up with changes in teachers and with temporary teachers who did not know them or how the school worked Ofsted report
"This smacks of a return to the bad old days of assertions by the then chief inspector which he could not substantiate.""This smacks of a return to the bad old days of assertions by the then chief inspector which he could not substantiate."
He said: "Frustration at a curriculum is not an excuse for disrupting lessons and Ofsted is wrong to suggest that it is."He said: "Frustration at a curriculum is not an excuse for disrupting lessons and Ofsted is wrong to suggest that it is."
Ofsted said some schools faced "severe challenges" and the effect of staff vacancies and absences on students' attitudes to learning could be striking.Ofsted said some schools faced "severe challenges" and the effect of staff vacancies and absences on students' attitudes to learning could be striking.
"Students were fed up with changes in teachers and with temporary teachers who did not know them or how the school worked."Students were fed up with changes in teachers and with temporary teachers who did not know them or how the school worked.
"Indeed, in one school, staff reported that students enquired whether particular teachers were in school that day before deciding to walk through the school gates.""Indeed, in one school, staff reported that students enquired whether particular teachers were in school that day before deciding to walk through the school gates."
Getting pupils involvedGetting pupils involved
Shenley Court School and Sixth Form Centre in Birmingham was judged by inspectors to be in need of "special measures" in March 2005 - poor pupil behaviour being one of the major problems.Shenley Court School and Sixth Form Centre in Birmingham was judged by inspectors to be in need of "special measures" in March 2005 - poor pupil behaviour being one of the major problems.
David Firman says involving pupils is indeed the keyDavid Firman says involving pupils is indeed the key
But, by the time of their first monitoring visit a few months later, progress was good.But, by the time of their first monitoring visit a few months later, progress was good.
Head teacher David Firman said involving pupils from the outset had been vital.Head teacher David Firman said involving pupils from the outset had been vital.
Mr Firman told BBC News that expectations and consequences were clearly spelt out, senior staff members were made "very visible" around the school and rewards and awards schemes had been introduced.Mr Firman told BBC News that expectations and consequences were clearly spelt out, senior staff members were made "very visible" around the school and rewards and awards schemes had been introduced.
The establishment of pupil advisory groups meant the "student voice" had been heard throughout, he said.The establishment of pupil advisory groups meant the "student voice" had been heard throughout, he said.
"There has been a clear emphasis on team work - 'team Shenley' - and a shared ethos around 'respect for learning', recognising that the vast majority of pupils want to belong to a school they can be proud of.""There has been a clear emphasis on team work - 'team Shenley' - and a shared ethos around 'respect for learning', recognising that the vast majority of pupils want to belong to a school they can be proud of."
By their third visit in July 2006, inspectors were reporting that behaviour around the school was "consistently good".By their third visit in July 2006, inspectors were reporting that behaviour around the school was "consistently good".
A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said good discipline was essential for raising standards and that Ofsted itself had said behaviour was good in most schools.A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said good discipline was essential for raising standards and that Ofsted itself had said behaviour was good in most schools.
"However, disruptive pupils can have a huge impact on a class and that is why we are ensuring heads have the powers they need to stop bad behaviour early on and ensure that the authority of their teachers can not be questioned," he said."However, disruptive pupils can have a huge impact on a class and that is why we are ensuring heads have the powers they need to stop bad behaviour early on and ensure that the authority of their teachers can not be questioned," he said.
The department was also giving schools almost £1bn to personalise learning to ensure every child had an education that inspired him or her, he added.The department was also giving schools almost £1bn to personalise learning to ensure every child had an education that inspired him or her, he added.