FAQ
First 20 Frequently Asked Questions articles shown only, please use the category search for more.
How to order
30 September 2012
1. Browse the shop We've tried to make the shop as easy to use as possible, you can navigate around using the shop categories, searching by product name, sku or isbn, or by type. Once you've found what you are looking for, click the add to basket link to do just that. 2. Login or Register Before you can proceed to the checkout page, we ask that you register some details with us, so we c … read on
How can I hold Quality Circle Times for children with severe learning difficulties?
04 December 2009
Q: I am working with children with severe learning difficulties, children on the autistic spectrum and children with no speech or other communication difficulties. Please can you help with ideas for cirlce times - any games or hints A: Some suggestions include: using some simple passing games or singing, signing or clapping. You would need plenty of adult support. Sensory props for … read on
Q: What can we do, we are ‘bogged down’ with undesirable playground behaviour?
05 June 2009
Q: Do you have any views of Norway’s target of zero bullying?
05 June 2009
Jenny: The Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway and Denmark have pioneered many important child centred initiatives. I teach at BristolUniversity and I know that some researchers are conducting research into what we can learn from their education systems. Whilst Wales do have a Children's Rights Commissioner, and Scotland are well on their way to having one, England would appear … read on
Q: What are the bullying behaviours that we should look for?
05 June 2009
Q: Although I deal with many 'bullies', I see few examples of bullying - I attribute this to a successful policy and system - and keep parents' letters as a testimony to this success. In dealing with the problem, I have found work with the victims is far more important than work with the bullies. Use of a home-school book and general awareness of 'being watched' is often invaluable in … read on
Q: How can we stop Football ruining our playtimes?
05 June 2009
Q: Can using drama and the arts help improve behaviour?
05 June 2009
Q: We have just had a very successful creative week, based on 'Treasure Island' (Bristol is promoting the book as part of their application city of culture.) The behaviour has been noticeable by its lack of many conflicts, unlike the previous SATs week. As a staff we have decided that those children who do have problems with behaviour had been so enthralled and on task in the classroo … read on
Q: Can being bored and having poor emotional literacy skills lead to poor behaviour?
05 June 2009
Q: Dear Jenny,(one of my Gurus) I agree it can be bored behaviour but also children displaying poor emotional literacy. Our school has many challenging pupils who seem to react to their feelings very inappropriately - we call it making wrong choices. Through having masses of strategies in hand we seem to manage this behaviour providing a caring safe open environment for all...staff incl … read on
Q: How can peer mediation help with poor behaviour?
05 June 2009
Q: At our school we have the usual problems, many of them outlined here already. We have tried to tackle bullying, arguments, friendship swaps, rough play etc., with a system of Peer Mediation. Groups of pupils are trained to mediate in minor disputes to try and sort things out without adult intervention and before they get out of hand. For most disagreements it works really well. Does … read on
Q: How can we support a boy who is verbally bullied for being a bit 'different' and outside of popular culture.
05 June 2009
Q: Any suggestions on how to support a boy who is being verbally bullied because he is quiet, clever and operates outside the "culture" of the rest of the class? By culture I mean music, tv, football and 'image.' Jenny: For me, the way forward lies, in a sense, in your phrase 'the culture of the class'. I think that it is vital that time is spent with pupils on a range of ways to create … read on
Q: How can a playground ‘squad’ and a games supervisor help with playtimes?
05 June 2009
Q: How can we deal with some parents who misinterpret what bullying is and fall out with each other?
05 June 2009
Q: Our school has dealt well with bullying and we have created a caring school but some parents seem to miss the point. They refer to bullying when what has happened is that their child has fallen out with their best friend and demand punishment when discussion and understanding is needed. Solve their own problems by fighting on the school drive and blame me and the school for adult bu … read on
Q: How can a trained group of secondary students help others with their issues?
05 June 2009
Q: New staff always bring fresh perspectives and leadership on school issues. I was fortunate to appoint a Head of Year who has transformed our approach to this aspect of school life. As a former Youth Counsellor she has trained our SOS (support our students) team, who are now peer counsellors. This group of about 60 secondary students work with our local primary school and within the e … read on
Q: How do we deal with a group of Year 5 girls with extreme friendship issues?
05 June 2009
Q: In my school we have a range of strategies to encourage positive behaviour, thanks to your empowering and imaginative training and publications Jenny. We have a Friends Brigade, clubs every lunch time, the Mid Day Supervisors teaching playground games,a Friendship station, Gardening and Eco Club, a MDMS Special Lunchtime Award, Quiet Time in the library and most successful of all "p … read on
Q: How can an administrator in small school deal with children confiding in them about family problems?
05 June 2009
Q: How does Golden Time work?
05 June 2009
Q: My junior school has experienced many of the problems noted above and we have invested a lot of time and energy into developing our playground areas. We have timetabled zoned areas for football, basketball and hockey and a wide variety of playground games:hoops, skipping ropes, giant Connect4 etc. However, there are still a small group of children who persist in spoiling others game … read on
Q: How do we improve playtimes with a tiny, bleak playground?
05 June 2009
Q: Can you offer any tips for dealing with the issue of bullying, at lunchtimes, within a large 11- 16 secondary school?
05 June 2009
Q: We have tried on numerous occasions to recruit lunchtime supervisors but the quality of applicants tends to be very poor. Most LSAs,I have found, do not have the skills to tackle the basic issues - it doesn't appear to be a question of training. Can you offer any suggestions? Jenny: It's really good that you are looking seriously at the issue of lunchtimes. For years now the majorit … read on
Q: How can assemblies help with bullying strategies?
05 June 2009
Q: I have a quite effective assembly which people can use and adapt to address various types of bullying. I take a sheet of flip chart paper and draw the outline of a pupil, a little overweight, a bit spotty, glasses, greasy hair. I am no artist and I think the more basic the drawing the better. As a secondary teacher I always put the drawing in uniform. I then show the assembled group … read on
I'm just setting up circle time, is there a good pathway to follow?
04 June 2009
Q: We have just started using circle time at our school. I was just enquiring whether there is a suitable pathway of activities for my class to follow? How long is too long to spend on an activity? A: There is a suitable pathway of actities in Quality Circle Time called the five-step model. Sessions usually last between 30 to 40 minutes for the whole circle time. The best way forwar … read on