To think disruptive behaviour in schools is out of hand?

I don't think those are the only two choices and there are plenty of schools around the country offering more than just the very basics and letting children experience a breadth of study that will be of benefit to them throughout their lives - and getting perfectly good results.

@Shivaughn

Anecdotal but the worst behaviour I’ve seen is in private. Best in state in deprived area. The key determiner was : very strong leadership and cohesive team work.

@CinnamonBuns67

That’s great, and I certainly think we are able to meet needs in the organisation I work for. It’s relaxed, only one ‘formal’ short session - no sitting on chairs, no computers, no staff members in ‘meetings’ - the provision is excellent and completely focussed on exciting learning activities.

It gets the basics right : provision and inclusion.

I dont work in education so interested whether ‘disruptive’ behaviour etc is a much bigger problem in more deprived schools? Like are state primaries in more affluent areas with a very low % FSM also seeing a general rise in bad behaviours/reception kids in nappies who can’t hold a knife and fork/disruption and violence?

Definitely my child was the "disruptive" child in mainstream school, her needs weren't being met not even basic ones to be honest, most teachers tried (there was 2 that was just ignorant but most of them just didn't have the training to help her) and that unfortunately led to that being reflected in her behaviour. Everyone was just mad at me. I had to keep on at the senco to support getting my child moved into specialist school, took 3 years to do it. Shes in specialist school now, she's thriving and no behaviour issues, funny what can be achieved when a child is properly supported and have their needs met.

Wonder if all this is giving a ‘boost’ to their independent school award scheme in the Times? Thought it was a bit dubious when the Times awarded it to a financially struggling independent school - that borrowed 13.3 million from the local council and they then couldn’t repay the loan…

I only ever had one after school detention in year 7....

Pretty much everyone else's parents gave some excuse to get them out of it. I mean this was 25+ years ago but I remember genuinely being upset at having to tell my mum I'd got an after-school detention, and she told me I was going to it full stop. Because actions have consequences.

As it was id forgotten my homework, I had actually DONE the home work but genuinely forgot it. That excuse did not fly with my mum. She told me even if it wasn't intentional I'd still broken a rule so had to take the punishment.

Never had a single detention after that 😬

Nowadays the parents would just tell the kid they don't have to go AND they'd probably have a go at the teacher

Do you aye?

And if you KNOW this to be true have you contacted the police and social services?

IM personal experience no. My DS has ADHD that made him disruptive in class. The boundaries the school and teachers exerted, as well as the consistency and discipline enabled him to cope better and eventually thrive. We also worked together so a discipline at school was reinforced at home. We supported school sanctions and the positive strategies they came up with. By Year 10 he was able to bring himself under control, with gentler guidance.

I know these strategies are equally applicable to SS pupils. However, the bigger classes and inconsistent behaviour policies, often (stress, not always!) not supported in the child’s home or by parents that won’t accept their part or that there even is a problem make it incredibly difficult to support kids with behaviour issues and thus their peers.

Wow are you denigrating the intelligence of someone just because they don't agree with you or hold different views to you?
Classic
Next accusation no doubt will be of someone being a 'bot'.

@Lucy5678

I find hypocritical statements don’t often register with our more right-wing leaning friends…

You are right @Absentosaur

It’s not all right wing bias from the Times!

• A 2025 Parentkind survey, published in partnership with The Times, revealed that parents see comprehensive (state) schools as providing greater social and cultural benefits by bringing together children from diverse backgrounds.
• The survey also indicated that parents believe comprehensive schools better prepare children for the diverse adult world they will encounter, a benefit that private schools, with their focus on exclusivity, cannot provide, according to The Times.

Says the person who has so far posted a survey of parents opinions paid for by a newspaper and a Wikipedia page about a school. High quality data sources there….

@CinnamonBuns67

I agree with that. Interestingly I volunteer for a children’s organisation where they learn extremely well, inclusion isn’t an issue, excellent rapport with parents, we have v limited funds. If this organisation can make learning work, why can’t schools??

If LA’s are dealing with high level of exclusions from the state system, perhaps LA’s could fund them to go privately - as private schools are struggling to fill places
/closing due to the VAT hike.

They could make specialist education for children with SEN more accessible for start. They could give better training to the teachers and TA's and indeed the Sencos in mainstream school on SEN and behaviour management so that they can meet children's needs more effectively.

There also needs to be more understanding amd tolerance for SEND in communities, a parent who feels unsupported, judged and that all the other parents are angry at them and their child is very likely to shutdown and bury their heads in the sand.

Parents and teachers need to support each other more on tackling the behaviour within school as in they need to sit down together and make a plan instead of pinning it on one another and to make sure that child's individual needs are being met. Also more needs to be done to look for the reason behind the behaviour as behaviour is often communication instead of either teacher or parent shrugging it off.

@twistyizzy hmm, this is a very highly regarded private in an affluent area, with outstanding ISI…so how can you tell which are the ‘shit’ ones??

Because all independent schools are 1 homogenous lump just like state schools are aren't they??
There are shit state schools and shit independent schools. Why is this such a surprise?

The kids see far too much American stuff and “do what they see” - Americans are so much further ahead in terms of vile entitlement, a disregard for rules, a belief in Me First, and faith that shouting loudly and repetitively will get you what you want.

You didn't but a PP did, numerous times.

I don't really know what to say to this, yes doctors are giving ADHD drugs to children with ADHD?

Considering the safety situation I had to deal with in a private school today (which is having financial struggles) - I felt relieved my son is in state.

Err yes I can confirm this because I never said that?

You didn't say that though. You said " you won't find an article like that in The Guardian" which infers the Guardian is superior in its reporting to The Times.