One final piece of advise needed please - behaviour.

[SandyBeachandtheDeckchairs]

I an NQT in a lovely school with a rather spirited Y3 class. 4 of them just do not respect me. They seem to like my lessons, and always want me attention, but are really disruptive with me. They are not like this for other members of staff, so it is basically just me. The majority of the class really like my lessons, and we really have fun exploring lots of interesting topics together. The other 4 just try to derail every lesson with their antics. I've been strict and used the behaviour management policy, but still it's not working. The cover teacher and various TA's reduce them to a respectful silence, but I don't. It's getting me down now, and I feel pathetic for letting it get to me, and they are only 7 FFS! What can I do please...

Have you talked to their parents?

We have recently spoken at parent's evening. My priority was to get the parents on side, and talk about the children's achievements. I did mention the disruptive behaviour but it wasn't the main topic of discussion. Maybe I'll follow up with them separately and mention a behavior communication book or something. The children are friends and spend a lot of time playing together outside school and at breakfast and after school club. I feel that they just forget where they are sometimes and their play behaviour carries over into class. If they were the same for other teachers I could understand it, but the fact it's just me is worrying.

Sorry for the advise/advice typo by the way!

Get their parents back in. If the previous class teacher is around, ask them for advice re not pissing the parents off, but making behaviour a priority.

With the children, don't be afraid to split them all up and be firm. Set your expectations from the minute you get the line and keep it going.

Split them up...One in each corner of the classroom (not literally, obvs😅). Give each of them a role that ensures regularly checking in with you and getting a bit of attention/praise when they've done it (ie book monitor, pencil collector). Watch every move they each make. Stamp out the unwanted stuff as soon as you see a peep of it and make sure they know you're watching. Praise the merest hint of good. Make them each feel special for something unique about themselves. That way, they'll want to please you and not let you down.

You should be getting help from your NQT mentor. If they are senior and any good they will have already spotted it as a concern and know these children can disrupt learning with their behaviour. SMT should be supporting you.
Don't worry about raising it and get some support. You are early in your career and can't be expected to have all the solutions.

Disclaimer: I’m not a teacher so feel free to ignore. Is it possible for you to observe when the TAs and other teachers who they do respect are teaching them?

Thank you everyone! The children are split up but just talk to each other across the class room and on the carpet too. The expectation is that I would have got this sorted already really, so can't really ask for too much extra support on it. I almost feel like they feed off the extra attention it gets them, but I can't just ignore them can I? Also if I praise everything they do do right then it seems unfair to the other good kids IYSWIM.
I feel totally exhausted by it, and also humiliated in a way, as it just seems to be me. (Arrrrrgghhghghghghghgh).

The expectation is that I would have got this sorted already really, so can't really ask for too much extra support on it.

Yes you can! I've been teaching for 23 years and very experienced with a wide range of behaviours and supported many NQTs and experienced teachers. We all need each other's professional support. I still ask others for it. Don't feel defeated.
Ask for advice.