Shouting in the classroom - have you/do you?

[Tddnamechanger]

Really interested to know if you have ever shouted and in what circumstances (if any) you would find it acceptable?

Why so interested?

I don't tend to shout. I did once but it was done when a child was about to do something that would have caused them injury (science teacher).

I might raise my voice occasionally and/or use a sterner tone but I'm not a shouter.

In all honesty, I think if you resort to shouting a lot it can become ineffective. Plus, to me, there are more effective ways to communicate.

Why so interested?

I am a teacher and our SLT has introduced a no shouting policy.

I have shouted as a shock tactic when a child is about to loose control or about to do something dangerous.

Although I don't advocate shouting in general, I feel to have a policy banning it is a bit much.

I don't think it's useful 99% of the time. However that 1% of the time it is an important tool. Especially in situations that would result in harm to a child.

I shout probably once a half term. Used to be more, it wasn't effective. Now it is super effective.

Many questions about the policy. Primary or secondary? Rationale behind it? Were people shouting too much?

Primary school.

We are an inner city school with. Behaviour is a big problem. Over half of my class have SEMH which is standard for the school.

The focus is on choice and support to make the right choices.

Ah inner city secondary here. So probably "inherit" some of those children.

Choices are good but it's all part of an overall school culture and attitude towards behaviour. Choices with no consequences isn't helpful, and there's only so many RJ conversations you can have before you scream!!

Was it shouty before? Or are you being dixified by the back door?

I hardly ever shout but I completely disagree with a 'no shouting' policy. Firstly, it's way too controlling and strips teachers of their ability to teach in a way that works for them. Secondly it takes away a tool which, when used sparingly and with the right class/student, can make a massive difference. Every teacher has to to teach according to their personality and find a way that works for them. I soon learned that I was rubbish at shouting and it didn't work for me, whereas my nqt mentor could turn a child around with the hairdryer treatment when appropriate.

I never know what 'shouting' means. Talking very firmly and with an edge to your voice is often interpreted by children as shouting. It's something I do deliberately though, not as a loss of control.

Talking very firmly and with an edge to your voice is often interpreted by children as shouting

Yes - then they go home and tell their parent you’ve been shouting at them. The parent is straight on to MN to complain about how teachers shouldn’t shout.

What sanction will be given to teachers who break the policy? One shout and you're out?

Sounds like an awful idea to have in policy - another stick with which to beat teachers.

It's pointless for me to shout. I don't sound scary, just like I have lost control.
As an NQT I used to slam doors to get attention if the class was noisy.
I don't really have noisy classes now. I think it's mostly due to following the behaviour policy rigidly.

I shouted at a year 7 this week. He was being vile. The shout stopped him in his tracks.

I shout down corridors to most days. How do you get a students attention in a noisy corridor otherwise?
Students often accuse me of shouting when I tell them off because I’m stern and have a “voice that carries” I usually reply “if I’m shouting - you’ll know about it”
On the very rare occasion that I shout in the classroom (usually when a kids goes something dangerous-science teacher) students jump out of their skins and I have to to apologise!

@Subordinateclause

I never know what 'shouting' means. Talking very firmly and with an edge to your voice is often interpreted by children as shouting. It's something I do deliberately though, not as a loss of control.

I do this...my voice doesn't actually raise much above its usual volume, in fact most often it's lower, but the tone and edge changes dramatically! However...as a PP has mentioned...the children then go home and say they've been shouted at and parents complain!! They haven't at all (they'd really know about it if I shouted...I have a military background pre-teaching and my 'shouting voice' can leave grown men in tears 😱). I'd never use that voice with children though, obviously, but they do need to understand the difference between 'being shouted at' and being brought up on their behaviour...and it seems that more and more these days, they don't 🤷‍♀️

Actual 'shouting' I don't agree with (unless safety is compromised), but using 'that tone' to show disapproval or disappointment in a child's behaviour is, in my opinion, fine. Saying this, I was hauled over the coals only last week by my head for upsetting one of my most challenging children, when they went home and told their parents I'd 'shouted' at them...for telling me to 'fuck off'. I hadn't, of course, but they certainly went home knowing how much I disapproved of their language choices!

We have this policy in my primary school. But my heaf has openly told me on more than one occasion that she has had to shout at a class before 🤷‍♀️ I think some teachers are just naturally louder/sterner than others and that is what gets (wrongly) interpreted as shouting by those around them!

I “call” rather than shout. Increased volume but without aggression. Sometimes it is necessary to attract the attention of an individual child across a noisy classroom or a big distance outdoors. I can’t think of a time I’ve raised my voice in anger though. A harsh (not loud) tone with an edge - probably more than once today tho!