Poor behaviour - Y12

[Olive30]

I am encountering low level disruption and just constant inane, loutish comments from a subset of Y12 students. More than 10 years of teaching experience and good track record and this has really surprised me. Developmentally, they don't seem to understand Classroom norms. Does anyone think this could be the effects of covid which would have impacted them in Y10 and 11? I have given them chances to rectify but soon am just going to have to apply lower school behaviour management. It's making me dread those lessons which i normally love.
It's a lot of answering back, talking out of turn, swearing a few times and just brattish behaviour from a few students. I think Y12 can sometimes be a bit like this as they think they're grown up now and rules don't apply but this feels a lot worse.

Any advice/ experience gratefully received

Is this in a school sixth form or in a college?

I've never had this but I know if I did, I would talk to the Head of 6th form ASAP and the behaviour would be clamped down on very quickly. Is there anyone in management who could help?

Ugh. How frustrating. I’ve had a few tricky Y13 classes (when picking them up due to teacher absence etc) with a bit of pushback and defiance, but never a difficult Y12 class (when they’re choosing to be there you expect focus, don’t you?)

I think if they’re acting immaturely, I’d go right back to basics: seating plan; if they act up at the start of the lesson, send them out to line up then come in silently; loads of praise for those doing what you want; clear sanctions for those who don’t (reintroduce detentions or use “you can choose to behave or you can choose to leave”)

Like @astuz said, definitely speak to the Head of Sixth Form. If they’re doing it in your lesson, they’re almost certainly doing it elsewhere too.

Thank you - it was a lot better today but i had to lay down some basic ground rules. Think i kind of assumed this was unnecessary but, yes, back to basics we go. Have made clear to the few poorly behaved students, am now having to make a revord of bad (or good!) things they do on our behaviour management system and involve HoY. Think it's going to get better now...but will see. They have missed out on a lot and seem quite immature in a lot of ways at the moment. But trying to keep an open mind...

@GrammarTeacher Sixth form attached to a school

I've sent the odd kid back to the sixth form common room when they have been uncooperative or chatty after warnings. I mean maybe twice in 10 years? Both of them subsequently left 6th form so they clearly weren't in the right environment for them. It's a good weapon though - makes your red lines very clear, re-establishes you with the rest of the group, embarrassing for the perpetrator. As well as that, involve the head of sixth, speak to parents (esp this early in y12; they are only a few weeks from being y11).

Much better yesterday - i offered someone the chance to go back to the common room and made the point they were all there by choice. The lesson was interesting and i could start properly teaching. Feels like a slight breakthrough but think we are going to have ups and downs all year. The way i am trying to look at it is they really need my help more than most of my previous students. But i can't tolerate being spoken over.
Thanks for the advice. Even though you know what you should be doing, it's powerful to have other professionals talking you through it. You can start feeling you are the one in the wrong if you let the students manipulate you iykwim.
Hope everyone has a good year.