What are your behaviour management tips?

[MetaphorsBeWithYou]

I’m about to move to a new job in a “struggling” school. I’m leaving a teaching position in a “posh” fee-paying school to go to this new role in a high school that has a reputation for being quite rough. I’m happy to be going because the workload in my current school has become impossible to manage. I was told at the interview that “some of the pupils can be quite challenging”. I’m prepared for that and I have taught in the state sector, but I’ve been in my current job for ten years. I would like teachers who have had experience of this type of school to give me some advice on how to make an impression on both pupils and colleagues when I first go in.

Follow the behaviour management policy to the letter. No wiggle room.

I've always worked in this sort of school, it suits me. Agree with above if you stick to the policy to the letter then they'll realise quickly there's no point wasting time and effort on mucking about (don't go too hard the other way though- their behaviour and the policy attached to that behaviour is the reason for any sanction, not anything personal). A few phone calls good and bad (depending on school policy) early on will pay off too.

Don't be afraid to give up a little bit about yourself (a pet is a handy low-stakes bit of personal info there!), they will be curious about what you've done and where you've worked before. Remind them that you've actively chosen to go and work in 'their' school and with them. Kids in schools with reputations are often conscious of this and can be quite defensive about it. I often hear 'they think they're better than us' kind of comments about other schools when it comes to sports fixtures etc.

Keep turning out good lessons, be consistent and eventually you will be accepted as part of the furniture. I find in tougher schools it gets a bit easier after every holiday because the kids see you're back and sticking with them. Once you've settled the pleasure is in seeing real progress being made and watching young people going off doing things they didn't think they could (rather than the entitlement/assumption that can come in more straightforward settings) is really motivating.

I agree with sticking to the policy to the letter.
Also have a clear routine - every lesson starts and ends in the same way, so they know what to expect.
I know it’s controversial, but I really liked „Teach like a champion“ - very realistic and practical strategies.

@madnessitellyou @MidLifeWoman @PensionPuzzle Thank you, there’s certainly a theme here! I actually have “Teach Like a Champion”, I’ll go back to it. It was something that I was compelled to read for a CPD thing, so I’m pretty sure that I would have read through it quickly.

Forgot you asked about colleagues too- probably the same as anywhere really but you might be surprised at the lack of rivalry/competition between subjects etc. Don't be offended if they are sceptical about your background and how you'll get on in their school- it's just natural concern for people and kids really.

Locally I know our T&L strategies and that sort of thing are much more ''current" than the fancy neighbouring schools, evolved from TLAC but it's that common routine/lesson structure model and it really helps.

Once you've settled in you will probably find the staffroom banter is pretty rapid fire and the sense of humour quite dark but I couldn't ask for a more supportive team than we have here. Everyone is sympathetic if someone has had a bad day because everybody else has them too!