NASUWT has a record second to none for supporting teachers where problems arise with pupil indiscipline.

We know that unchallenged, low-level disruption is corrosive, taking its toll on the health and wellbeing of teachers. The education of all pupils is affected.

Hundreds of teaching hours can be lost each year dealing with such behaviour. And, when violence and disruption occur, they must be challenged. No teacher should go to work with the expectation that verbal and physical abuse are part of the job.

NASUWT supporting and empowering teachers

Teachers have a right to expect:

  • a safe environment in which to work;

  • access to appropriate training;

  • appropriate resources to enable them to respond to pupils’ behavioural needs at an early stage;

  • access to external advice, support and specialist provision;

  • parents to take responsibility for the behaviour of their child;

  • effective school leadership, working in partnership with staff to maintain high standards of behaviour;

  • respect for their professional opinion and any concerns they have to be taken seriously;

  • the support of a non-discriminatory pupil behaviour policy, drawn up in consultation with NASUWT, which promotes acceptable standards of behaviour;

  • regular monitoring and review of data on pupil behaviour to ensure that the behaviour policy is working effectively.

Make sure your school is meeting these expectations.

Actions for teachers facing pupil indiscipline

What to do if you are verbally abused and threatened:

What to do if you are abused on social media:

  • Keep a record of the incidents, including screenshots of any abusive or offensive material, to be used as evidence.

  • Avoid retaliating to, or personally engaging with, the pupil.

  • Do not submit a written report to anyone or make a statement to the police without the advice and support of NASUWT.

NASUWT has published updated guidance on dealing with the trauma of online abuse as a teacher, encompassing a detailed overview of the actions you should take if you are subjected to online abuse by pupils or students.

Behaviour management professional development and support from NASUWT

We provide members with:

  • free professional development seminars on pupil behaviour management for all teachers. These seminars equip new teachers with practical advice and provide more experienced teachers with the opportunity to discuss and reflect on their practice. You can view upcoming courses on our Behaviour Management Courses page;

  • advice and guidance on behaviour management, including top tips for teachers on maintaining high standards for pupil behaviour;

  • in-school support - NASUWT will arrange to meet with members, in their workplace or off-site, to discuss any concerns they have either on an individual or collective basis and identify strategies for dealing with any issues of pupil indiscipline members may be experiencing.

Where schools fail to address teachers’ concerns, NASUWT, with the support of members, will ballot for members to refuse to teach and supervise the pupil(s) concerned, in order to protect members’ health and welfare.

 


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