In April 2021, Saint Augustine's was awarded the accolade of becoming a DfE Behaviour Hub. It was one of only 22 schools (primary and secondary) selected from a national field. The purpose of these is to enable schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) with exemplary behaviour cultures and practices to work with partner schools that want and need to improve behaviour culture in their schools. The aims of the Programme were to improve cultures in schools by taking a whole school approach and embedding a clear, sustainable behaviour ethos throughout the school. How students behave in school is strongly linked to attainment and other outcomes. Positive behaviours lead to:
- more time to focus on teaching and learning;
- students achieving more academically and socially;
- improved staff satisfaction, higher retention and less problematic recruitment.
The programme is based on the principles and ideas outlined in Tom Bennett’s 2017 review of behaviour in schools: Creating a culture: how school leaders can optimise behaviour.
How it Works
Partner schools are paired with Saint Augustine’s as Lead school and they work together to identify how and where they want to improve, diagnosing specific issues and developing new approaches to address negative behaviour. Schools will receive:
- a range of support from lead schools depending on level of ne ed; this will include bespoke training, one-to-one advice and ongoing mentoring and,
- support for Headteachers and SLT with the advice and tools needed to improve their approach.
Partner and Lead schools form Hubs to learn from each other and to share what works. Hubs will be made up of one lead school or MAT and a set of partner schools or partner MATs. This is a comprehensive package of support that aims to see results within a year.
School Support Offer
Training and support will include some or all of the following:
- training on specific issues, common problems and effective approaches led by expert advisers, that can be implemented within the school;
- open days at lead schools to observe good systems and approaches in action;
- networking events to share experiences and good practice to learn from other schools;
- online resources developed by the expert advisers which will equip and empower schools to implement changes in their settings;
- support to develop and implement an action plan, that will set out how to quickly improve and embed a whole school approach to behaviour management, including how to monitor impact;
- one-to-one ongoing support, mentoring and coaching to support leaders in implementing lasting change.
UPDATE
- Saint Augustine’s Behaviour Hub team has supported schools in Coventry, Dudley, Bristol, Tamworth, Uttoxeter, Hereford, Birmingham, Sandwell Shropshire and Warwickshire.
- The BH team of behaviour advisers come from leaders in the school, Magnificat School Improvement team, and Saint Benedict’s and Saint John Wall.
- The Magnificat MAC (MULTI ACADEMY COMPANY) was also commissioned by the DfE TSI to undertake behaviour reviews of secondary schools in the Co-op Academy Trust. These have been in 8 schools in the Wirral, Manchester, Leeds, Stoke and Salford.
- The impact of the BH work is both quantitative and qualitative. Schools have had positive inspection outcomes; progress outcomes have been improved and leadership in schools have adopted evidence-based practice. Also, exceptional practice has been captured in DfE case studies (St Benedict's) while the audit toolkit and support resources are now an integral part of the Magnificat’s school improvement.
- The focus on behaviours as in the culture of the schools has certainly led to move towards the student experience and this has been linked to the previous work of the Saint Augustine’s Teaching School and the collaborative work in the DfE TSI programme.
- Leaders within the BH family have gained confidence to be system leaders with several undertaking new positions within and outside the organisation. Their approach has been enhanced by research and evidence-based methodologies, and the experience of working in schools were systems and processes have to be installed or reset.
IMPACT
King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
School Improvement Partner was in school last week.
“His view was that behaviour at BWA would rival any school. Thank you for all of your support during the Behaviour Hubs programme. It was great to work with you and we hope to see you soon.” Mr Damian McGarvey| Headteacher
(Tony Quinn)