Circle Time promoted by Ofsted to help young children achieve positive behaviour and reduce exclusions - June 2009
Thu, Aug 13th 2009
A recent ofsted report quoted 13,450 infants being temporarily barred from school in 2006/7 - and a further 250 permanently excluded for reasons such as biting, swearing, kicking or hitting staff, climbing over the school fence and throwing chairs.
DIV P { MARGIN: 0px }OFSTED (2009) looked at schools with low exclusion rates to see what they were doing well. The education watchdog found that in schools with low exclusion rates:
“‘Circle time’ approaches were widely used, which enabled children to develop the skills to negotiate, listen and respond with empathy, as well as to express themselves and to solve problems. In many cases, children were involved in defining the class rules or expectations based on the whole-school rules, and designing rewards and even sanctions. In the best practice, children were taught and encouraged to be highly aware of their own behaviour, including the possible triggers for poor behaviour, and to regulate it accordingly.
The report recommends finding out more information about circle time from: J Mosley, Quality circle time in the primary school,LDA, 1993 or go to the Quality Circle Time website www.circle-time.co.uk
They also reported that many schools provided lessons in social and emotional skills and encouraged staff and children to "speak pleasantly" to the children. Other measures schools have taken to reduce challenging behaviour include calming tents and parenting workshops.
Ofsted have called for these measures to take place more widely to halt the alarming numbers of children being suspended or expelled.
Christine Gilbert, chief inspector of schools, said: "As our evidence shows, many schools are skilled at promoting positive behaviour and attitudes in all young children, and giving them a good start in their education. It is important that others can learn from this."
To see the full Ofsted report, click here
A recent report in the Bristol Evening Post also tells a similar story with pupil exclusions in Bristol schools having recently dropped by a third.
______________
Jenny Mosley Consultancies specialises in training teachers and providing resources for circle times, positive behaviour management, for staff well-being, creativity and for teaching the social and emotional aspects of learning and development (PSHE, SEAD and SEAL).
For all enquiries please telephone 01225 767157 or email circletime@jennymosley.co.uk
Related Tags »
Tell a friend
Enter yours and a friends name to send them this page.
