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The (then) Minister for Education and the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Language requested Estyn for advice on learner behaviour in schools in the annual remit letter to Estyn for 2024 to 2025. This was intended to complement a request for advice on learner behaviour in further education colleges. 

The report highlights the challenges that secondary schools face in relation to learner behaviour and includes effective practice case studies. It suggests approaches to promote positive behaviours in secondary schools. The report draws on information from visits to 24 secondary and all-age schools, discussions with officers from 10 local authorities and findings from national surveys conducted with headteachers, staff and pupils, as well as evaluations of inspections undertaken between 2022 to 2024.

Recommendation 8

Carry out research across primary, secondary and all-age schools to identify trends in behaviour and provide up to date guidance for schools on the most effective support to help improve behaviour.

Recommendation 9

Develop a national campaign in partnership with schools to promote and explain the importance of good behaviour with parents or carers and pupils. 

Recommendation 10

Ensure that initial teacher education and induction programmes include a more thorough grounding in behaviour management approaches and offer a structured programme of support to newly qualified teachers to ensure that they can manage behaviour effectively in the classroom.

Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖresponse

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖaccepts Recommendations 8 to 10 in full.

We have already undertaken research into both the drivers of poor behaviour and the actions that can be taken to promote positive behaviour. However, as this report highlights there are additional areas where further information would enhance our understanding and our ability to support schools, staff, learners and families. The drivers of poor behaviour, many of which are rooted in wider societal challenges, continue to evolve and we will need to ensure a robust evidence base for interventions. 

We have already started work on a national campaign, and are developing resources that can be used in education settings to raise awareness of the impact of poor behaviour. These resources will also highlight the issues of verbal and physical abuse faced by staff and learners. While more work will be needed in this area, this represents a clear commitment to draw attention to the issues and the need to tackle them.

While we agree there needs to be more support for school staff in understanding and developing effective behaviour management practices, we believe this goes beyond Initial Teacher Education. Support is needed by all parts of the education workforce and throughout their careers. We will consider what more can be done through ITE as part of our general programme of reviews, but will also consider wider professional learning requirements.

The National Behaviour Summit in May will provide an initial springboard to further explore approaches to implement the recommendations. 

The report was published on 8 May 2025 and can be .