|
How well do you know your pupils, particularly those at risk of underachieving? |
|
|
|
Research taster
Explorations of pupils’ behaviour suggest that it results from a complex mix of home, school and individual factors. Multi-agency approaches to behaviour seem to have met with some success because they tackle pupils’ behaviour from a number of different viewpoints that help to create an holistic picture of the pupil.  How well do you know your pupils, particularly those that are, or are at risk of, underachieving?
Your evidence
You might wish to consider the influence of relationships in home, playground and classroom on the sense of identity and learning of an individual child (or group of pupils), particularly one that is underachieving or at risk of doing so. It might be helpful to draw up a matrix similar to the one below. You could use records, observation and discussion gradually to complete each cell of the matrix over a period of say a half-term.
|
Family
relationships
|
Peer
group relationships
|
Teacher
relationships
|
Identity
(as seen by pupil and others)
|
Career
(achievement and orientation to learning)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When you look at your matrix as a whole you might like to consider questions such as: How is the child's view of his/her self influenced by others? How does his/her view of self influence the approach taken to learning? What is the impact of family relationships on the pupil? Are there any specific implications for providing for this child or overall conclusions for understanding children more generally?
(Adapted from Reflective Activity 5-2a)
Moving forward
From your evidence can you begin to link the pupils’ behaviour to patterns in their relationships at home and at school? Do the patterns suggest needs the pupil has and ways in which s/he could be supported more effectively such as by one-on-one support or counseling, family support, being part of a nurture group or following an alternative curriculum?
Find out more
 Hallam, S., Castle, F., Rogers, L., et al (2005) Research and Evaluation of the Behaviour Improvement Programme Research Report RR 702, London: DfES
Halsey, K., Gulliver, C., Johnson, A., Martin K., Kinder, K. (2005) Evaluation of Behaviour and Education Support Teams Research Report RR 706, London: DfES
|
