When the Adults Change, Everything Changes: Seismic shifts in school behaviour

Description

You can buy in the best behaviour tracking software, introduce 24/7 detentions or scream 'NO EXCUSES' as often as you want - but ultimately the solution lies with the behaviour of the adults. It is the only behaviour over which we have absolute control. Drawing on anecdotal case studies, scripted interventions and approaches which have been tried and tested in a range of contexts, from the most challenging urban comprehensives to the most privileged international schools, behaviour training expert and Pivotal Education director Paul Dix advocates an inclusive approach that is practical, transformative and rippling with respect for staff and learners. An approach in which behavioural expectations and boundaries are exemplified by people, not by a thousand rules that nobody can recall. When the Adults Change, Everything Changes illustrates how, with their traditional sanction- and exclusion-led methods, the 'punishment brigade' are losing the argument. It outlines how each school can build authentic practice on a stable platform, resulting in shifts in daily rules and routines, in how we deal with the angriest learners, in restorative practice and in how we appreciate positive behaviour. Each chapter is themed and concludes with three helpful checklists Testing, Watch out for and Nuggets designed to help you form your own behaviour blueprint. Throughout the book both class teachers and school leaders will find indispensable advice about how to involve all staff in developing a whole school ethos built on kindness, empathy and understanding. Suitable for all head teachers, school leaders, teachers, NQTs and classroom assistants in any phase or context, including SEND and alternative provision settings who are looking to upgrade their own classroom management or school behaviour plan. When the Adults Change Everything Changes was a silver winner 2017 Foreword INDIES Awards in the Education category. Named one of Book Authority's best education reform books of all time. Named one of Book Authority's best education books of all time. Click here to read the review on Humanising Language Teaching. Click here to read the review on Schools Week. Click here to read the review on 'Saved You a Spot' blog. Review: Great resource for educational leaders and teachers - Product came in sturdy and protected packaging. It looked brand new like buying from a book store in person. The book is easy to read and quick to skim if needed to find tips & tricks to adjust one’s thinking around teaching and leading. Review: An essential read for anyone working with, or interested in, behaviour in schools - One option available to schools and other organisations to whom the behaviour of children and young people is a priority is to adopt the so-called 'No Excuses' approach. Paul Dix makes it very clear that he is opposed to the 'No Excuses' approach and it's “ugly deterrents”. He has a disregard for ‘Zero Tolerance’ too, which, he argues, inevitably leads to increased punishments and ultimate exclusion. He also calls out the damaging interventions of, what he refers to as, "the punishment brigade". Paul Dix believes in - and describes - a different way. This book is about that different way. The author proposes the development of a culture in schools where positive routines and practical strategies create support and certainty. He vehemently argues that schools - all types of schools - should create a culture that promotes visible consistency, botheredness and kindness; a culture where young people are “ready, respectful and safe”. It is also a reflective culture that asks questions like, ‘what would it be like if adults refused to shout?’ ‘what would it be like if we focused positive attention on effort and not on achievement?’ ‘what would it be like if, when appropriate, the adults said sorry?’ The author is interested in how changes like this can and will have a positive impact upon behaviour in the school? What Paul Dix has achieved in this book is to challenge and move beyond inherently problematic adult-constructed systemic impositions on young people. He offers a radically different vision and perspective where adults in every school take a look at their own behaviour and how that impacts upon school culture regarding behaviour and wider. The author is not saying that “difficult” or “extreme behaviour” is the fault of teachers. In fact, he asserts that schools should support teachers who are dealing with such challenges. His proposition is that the only behaviour that adults can have complete control over is their own. The title of the book illustrates what he thinks happens when adults do take control of their own behaviour. The writing is forthright – for example, Chapter 10 is called “Your Behaviour Policy Sucks”. The author puts forward a simple solution so that weighty and meaningless behaviour policy documents can be banished from schools. The book is realistic – for example, things do not always go well and therefore restorative approaches are detailed should they be needed. The individuality of young people is respected throughout – for example, the reader is encouraged to think about what might be going on in the life of some children and how that can impact upon their behaviour. The whole tone of the book is passionate and optimistic – change can happen and this book will help it to happen. On the back cover of the book Paul Dix is described as a 'notorious teacher-wrangler'. If you are a teacher, especially one interested in behaviour, you should definitely buy this book and enjoy being wrangled. You'll have laughs along the way too.