There is no "magic button" for instilling good behaviour in children, according to the headteacher set to lead a government working group on advising about classroom discipline. Sir Alan Steer has been head for 20 years at Seven Kings High School in Ilford, Essex - where inspectors say behaviour is "excellent". There are "101 ways" to encourage discipline, says Sir Alan, but it is a more complex issue than people realise. And it is also important not to demonise young people - he says everyone must take responsibility for instilling moral values and respect in children.  |  Children are bombarded with highly dubious messages and then we wonder why some of their attitudes aren't what we want |
He believes that standards of discipline in his school are better now than in 1985. "The idea that all children are undisciplined is nonsense," he said. "We have to be very careful we don't demonise young people. "Society has been uneasy about the young since the Romans. "Schools have a big part to play in helping pupils behave but it is also a social issue which society needs to examine centrally. "It is quite possible that children behaving badly in the High Street in the evenings are actually behaving OK during the day at school." He said that the media in particular had to think about the moral messages being sent to impressionable young people. "Children are bombarded with highly dubious messages and then we wonder why some of their attitudes aren't what we want." | There is nothing wrong with tough love, as long as there is love, and you discipline in an intelligent way |
But for schools they had to remember why they were there. "Schools are there to help children learn," he said. "You have to make sure children get a good experience in the classroom. Our primary responsibility is to teach children in an interesting and stimulating way. "You have to treat children with respect, but demand they respect you too. "There is nothing wrong with tough love, as long as there is love, and you discipline in an intelligent way." Another important factor was "to put them in a clean, attractive, inspiring environment," he said. Eight years ago many classrooms were virtually of a Third World standard, he said, whereas money was now being invested in improving schools. Careful punishment Children also need to be given a clear set of values. We can all remember how confusing it was growing up, he said, so children need guidance. As for punishment at Seven Kings, pupils can be kept behind or made to work outside the headmaster's office "where he tells them off at regular intervals". But ideally "punishable" behaviour is avoided in the first place. Which is where that all important word "respect" creeps in again. "Young people have to learn to have respect - and most importantly they need to have respect for themselves," he said.
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