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Pupils & learning

Effective behaviour management

This guidance shows how governing boards and school leaders can develop behaviour principles, policy and culture.

Guidance
04/07/2025
Pupils-learning teaching secondary school class

Effective behaviour management is fundamental to creating supportive, safe and inclusive learning environments. All schools are required to have a behaviour policy that supports effective behaviour management.

The Department for Education (DfE)’s guidance on behaviour in schools sets out a whole school approach to behaviour where high standards and expectations run through all aspects of school life. This includes how pupils are taught and encouraged to behave; the response to misbehaviour; and the relationships between staff, pupils and parents.

Our guide to effective behaviour management explains how governing boards and school leaders can collaborate to develop behaviour principles, policy and a culture which reflects their values and ethos.

The guide covers:

  • establishing behaviour policy principles
  • behaviour policy aims
  • questions for governing boards to ask
  • monitoring policy implementation
  • a whole school approach
  • exclusion as a last resort
  • effective stakeholder engagement
  • an inclusive curriculum

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