Support circles as an alternative to exclusion, by Frankie McGuire
When a positive behaviour management system fail to reach some children, it is time to consider taking extra steps to help moderate behaviour. This research explored “support circles” in secondary school for pupils who were in danger of being excluded.
With meetings held using a circle time format, the groups were asked to keep to special circle time rules. The project was planned to run for one day a week for six weeks, although it was soon discovered that this was not enough time to achieve significant results. The author concludes that she is convinced that many of the difficulties pupils encounter in S1 and S2 recently highlighted in documents such as “5 – 14 Maintaining the Challenge” could be smoothed out through the medium of circle time, delivered by trained staff. Also, that many of the behaviour difficulties demonstrated in the group might have been effectively addressed earlier through class circle-time. Plenty of food for thought!
Tell a friend
Enter yours and a friends name to send them this page.