As you go through the journey of primary school applications, you’ll likely be visiting a lot of schools 🏫. For many parents, it can be challenging to know exactly what to observe 👀, listen for 👂, or ask about ❓. As someone with experience as a teacher 👩🏫, school leader 🎓, primary school governor 🏛️, and, most importantly, as a dad 👨👧👦, I am on a mission to help!
One significant area where schools can vary is in their approach to ‘behaviour’ 🌟. While all schools aim to create safe, calm and productive learning environments—and most parents and children desire the same—there are different ways schools strive to achieve this. Each approach comes with its own strengths and potential challenges ⚖️. The one that ‘feels right’ to you often reflects your own (perhaps subconscious) educational values 🎒.
Broadly speaking, these approaches can be grouped into:
1. Extrinsic, System-Based Approach 📋
This approach emphasises clarity, with clear rules, rewards, and consequences. Think of it like a straightforward rule at home: “No TV after dinner” 📺🚫. It’s simple, easy to understand, and consistent. Schools adopting this model often have their rules visibly displayed, and leaders or teachers can quickly explain how they work.
To complement this, an extrinsic reward system is typically used, involving stickers 🏅, public awards 🥇, and behaviour displays (e.g., a sun ☀️-and-cloud ☁️ chart where children are moved based on their actions). Such systems aim to provide incentives for positive behaviour and are often highly structured and publicly visible.
2. Intrinsic, Relationship-Based Approach 🤝
This approach views behaviour as a form of communication 💬, rooted in deeper causes. Building strong, positive relationships forms the foundation here, with fewer rigid rules and more context-based responses. At home 🏠, this might mean recognising and adapting to a child’s shifting moods and needs. In schools 🏫, it could translate to tailored responses—different rewards and consequences based on individual circumstances, rather than applying a universal ‘if X, then Y’ rule.
Typically, this approach involves less public display and more private reflection and relationship repair after incidents, encouraging intrinsic motivation for positive behaviour 🧘♂️.
Each approach has its merits and drawbacks ⚖️, and your preference will likely reflect what you value most in an educational environment. This is why it’s helpful to explore, observe, and ask about a school’s behaviour policy during your visits—it offers valuable insight into the day-to-day functioning of the school 🏫✨.
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