SEN Classroom Management – because you have a respectful language, the community is safer to work in
Katie Dill, a special education teacher from Illinois, describes using Vistelar’s verbal skills to give pupils clear steps and social contracts, so they start managing their own behaviour and the community feels safer.
Therapeutic Parenting – Approaches in Schools
An interview with Sarah Naish, author of The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting, about children whose traumatic backgrounds lead to violent behaviour at home, and why more than half her enquiries now involve schools.
Dealing with Intimidating Parents – drunk mum banned from school
A mother who arrived drunk at a Bristol school and bit a teacher was banned from the grounds. The post uses the case to introduce training on de-escalating difficult conversations with parents.
Engaging successfully with Concerned Parents
Morning separations and other difficult conversations go better with planning and careful communication, argues Gerard O’Dea, who introduces a course built on the Verbal Defense and Influence method.
Dealing with Parents in Difficult Circumstances
Difficult conversations with parents about behaviour, safeguarding or a child’s settling in need preparation. The course covers opening sensitive talks, handling intimidation, making parents feel heard, persuasion, and when safety must come first.
Course Feedback: “a more detailed support plan was given for working with younger children”
A teaching assistant in Essex, previously trained elsewhere, welcomed the detailed support plan for working with younger children, found the techniques useful and enjoyed trying them out during the course.
Doug Lemov masterclass on Classroom Management
A link to a BBC programme about Doug Lemov, who studies the most successful teachers and argues that weak teachers can become strong performers. The post notes that these methods inform the company’s courses.
New Behaviour in Schools Report
Tom Bennett’s independent review of behaviour in schools is summarised, with its emphasis on building a culture the whole school community understands, matching training that stresses consistent responses.
Course Feedback: “excellent practical guidance”
An alternative provision headteacher describes guidance that is practical and grounded in clear principles. After online study, training covered body language through to restraint, keeping dignity and respect central.
One of the most informative and interesting CPD sessions I’ve attended
Class teachers in Mirfield described a blended session as concise, coherent and open to their questions, and said learning that teachers are not powerless felt empowering.